[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 74 (Wednesday, June 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1096-E1097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING SOL AND JUNE ZIM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 10, 1998

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my constituents 
and members of the Hollis Hills Jewish Center as they celebrate the 
50th anniversary of this great house of worship, and honor their most 
distinguished and world-renowned Cantor, Sol Zim and his wife June, for 
35 years of distinguished service to the synagogue.
  In 1964, Sol and June Zim began a relationship with the Hollis Hills 
Jewish Center that would not only enhance the spiritual and secular 
lives of the synagogue's members, but would allow Cantor Zim to perform 
around the world to share the joy and fulfillment that epitomize his 
music. As the sixth generation of a family of exceptionally talented 
cantors, Sol Zim has studied with such outstanding cantorial 
instructors as Joshua Weisser, Moshe Koussevitzky, Sholom Secunda and 
Oscar Julius. He has received degrees from the Jewish Theological 
Seminary of America. Brooklyn College and New York University. His 
extraordinary voice brought him offers for positions in such 
distinguished opera companies as the Vienna State Opera Theater and the 
Israeli National Opera. Yet it was to our great benefit that Sol Zim 
chose to pursue his musical career as a cantor.
  Mr. Speaker, in addition to his unforgettable voice, Sol Zim is a 
most prolific writer of Jewish popular songs and prayer melodies that 
are sung in congregations throughout the world. He has composed more 
than 20 cassettes and tapes of music dedicated to Yiddish, Hebrew, 
Chassidic and Cantorial themes. A hallmark of his desire for all people 
to love music is the creation of a children's choir in those cities in 
which he has appeared. In the 1970's and 80's, he founded ``The 
Brothers Zim'' which quickly became America's foremost Jewish singing 
group.
  Both he and his wife June take their role as community leaders most 
seriously. Through their efforts, they have brought direction and 
compassion to many viable undertakings. June has served as the 
synagogues' Vice-President of Sisterhood, Vice-President of Jewish 
Family Living for the Queens Region of National Women's League, and Co-
Chair of

[[Page E1097]]

many of the Hollis Hills Jewish Center's annual conferences.
  Sol serves the National Chairman of the Jewish War Heroes Fund, and 
has been honored as Man of the Year and received humanitarian awards by 
such diverse organizations as the United Jewish Appeal, Israel Bonds, 
Hadassahm Bnai Brith, Amit Women and Shaare Zedek Hospital.
  Mr. Speaker, in honor of all their great achievements, I ask all my 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to join with me and rise to 
express their appreciation for the Zims.

                          ____________________