[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO RABBI LEIBISH LEFKOWITZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERROLD NADLER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 6, 1998

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rabbi Leibish 
Lefkowitz, who passed away on August 1, 1998. Rabbi Lefkowitz, an 
esteemed leader of the Satmar community, earned the respect and 
gratitude of countless citizens whose lives he touched. Rabbi Lefkowitz 
was born in St. Peter, Hungary on June 20, 1920. In 1941 he married 
Dinah Fischer, and graduated from the Yeshivah of Rabbi Rosner in 
Sekelhid, Hungary the following year. After escaping from a Budapest 
prison in 1944, he and his wife overcame immense challenges and arrived 
in the United States in 1956. Rabbi Lefkowitz established a crystal and 
gift store on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. This store eventually 
evolved into the Crystal Clear Industries Enterprise, now one of the 
largest crystal companies in the U.S.
  Rabbi Lefkowitz became the lay leader of the Satmar community in 
1970. Rabbi Lefkowitz held many leadership positions within the 
community. He served as president of numerous educational and service 
organizations, and was well known for his philanthropy and leadership. 
He was the president of both the United Talmud Academy and Beth Rachel 
of N.Y. State, which educates over 18,000 students. Rabbi Lefkowitz was 
also the president of the Satmar Congregation Yetev Lev and leader and 
president of the United Jewish Organization located in Williamsburgh. 
Rabbi Lefkowitz also founded and became the mayor of the Kiryas Joel 
Village, located in Monroe, N.Y.
  Rabbi Lefkowitz did not reserve his generosity only for his many 
public endeavors, he was also well-known for his compassion he 
exhibited to every person he encountered. He was deeply kind and 
caring, and he will be missed sorely by all who were touched by him.




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