[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1568]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THE PASSING OF RABBI LEIBISH (LEOPOLD) LEFKOWITZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 6, 1998

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, on first blush, Rabbi Leibish (Leopold) 
Lefkowitz was a Talmudic scholar bearing in his heart the abundant 
gifts and miraculous fate of the Jewish people. This singular 
impression fades rapidly, however, on closer inspection. Who was this 
rabbi, mayor, community leader, businessman, philanthropist, friend?
  It was, of course, Leibish Lefkowitz. Rabbi Lefkowitz, the humble 
immigrant who came to these shores shortly after the Second World War 
and settled in New York with his wife, operating a crystal and gift 
shop on Manhattan's Lower East Side, which soon turned into Crystal 
Clear Industries Enterprise, one of the largest crystal companies in 
the United States. Rabbi Lefkowitz, the intrepid educator, who was 
president of the 18,000 student Satmar educational system, United 
Talmudical Academy and Beth Rachel, educating children from 
kindergarten through post-rabbinical seminary. Rabbi Lefkowitz, the 
proud servant to his community, who was president of Satmar 
Congregation Yetev Lev of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and founder of the 
United Jewish Organization of Williamsburg, a community service bureau 
of the utmost importance and indeed profound effectiveness. Rabbi 
Lefkowitz, the pioneer and ``elected official,'' who was founder and 
mayor of the Kiryat Joel Village in Monroe, New York, now with over 
15,000 residents. Rabbi Lefkowitz, the generous philanthropist, who 
helped so many and gave so much, building organizations, homes, even 
cities. And, of course, Rabbi Lefkowitz the husband, father of two, 
grandfather of sixteen, and great-grandfather of forty-two.
  As is clear, Rabbi Leibish Lefkowitz was a man of parts: many parts. 
And with his beloved Torah, or Old Testament, as his guide, the Divine 
as his inspiration, and perfecting the world as his goal, all these 
unique parts amalgamated into the extraordinary man that Rabbi 
Lefkowitz was, the true and deserving servant of God that he wished to 
be.
  Since his passing on August 1st, the amount of righteousness in this 
world has declined, and indeed the world has become a lesser place. The 
Almighty, in his infinite yet inexplicable wisdom, has taken Rabbi 
Lefkowitz to be with Himself, depriving us of this beloved mensch, but 
bestowing upon heaven his blessed soul.

                          ____________________