[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 15 (Wednesday, February 16, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN MEMORY OF RABBI SHOLOM KLASS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 16, 2000

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my profound and 
sincere sadness on the recent death of Rabbi Sholom Klass of Brooklyn, 
NY. After a long illness, the Rabbi died on January 17, 1999 at age 83. 
Rabbi Klass was truly a giant in Jewish life and an educator to both 
Jew and non-Jew, alike, on the beauty of G-d's law. Rabbi Klass was an 
inspirational leader who stood up for morality in the modern world. The 
Rabbi was a premier teacher of Torah, a pioneer in Anglo-Jewish 
journalism, and a passionate advocate for the Jewish people.
  Rabbi Klass was one of the most important influences for promoting 
Jewish traditions in our Nation's history. As one of the greatest 
disseminators of Jewish learning in modern times, the Rabbi taught a 
weekly class in Talmud for more than 50 years. In addition, he authored 
``Response of Modern Judaism'' (3 volumes). His dedication to spreading 
Torah into all Jewish homes led many to return to their Jewish roots 
and to celebrate their heritage. Indeed, he gave all, even those of us 
who are not Jewish, insights and an appreciation for the richness of 
Judaism.
  One of the Rabbi's greatest achievements was his creation of The 
Jewish Press. In 1960, to promulgate Judaic thought and opinion, he 
created The Jewish Press out of secular Brooklyn Daily. Beloved as the 
newspaper's publisher and columnist for 40 years, he educated and 
nurtured an understanding of Jewish concerns and turned the paper into 
the world's largest Anglo-Jewish weekly--with 500,000 copies 
distributed each week. Many readers, in New York and around the world, 
say they looked to the Rabbi's writings to guide them through daily 
life.
  Since the paper's creation, Rabbi Klass conducted a regular question-
and-answer column on Jewish law. A renowned author and scholar, who was 
blessed with a photographic memory, he tackled the gamut of biblical 
and Talmudic law. I understand that, over 40 years, the Rabbi responded 
to more than 20,000 questions, on issues ranging from the use of 
electricity on the Sabbath to the Torah's view on organ transplants. In 
his scared writings, he found a solution for every modern contingency 
of the human condition.
  I get a great pleasure learning from, and writing for, The Jewish 
Press. I always appreciated the kindness that Rabbi Klass showed me in 
allowing me to be part of his incredible newspaper. Rabbi Klass was a 
wonderful, influential and talented man who used his abilities for 
great public service.
  Finally, in addition to his dedication to spreading an understanding 
of Torah, through his teachings and his newspaper, Rabbi Klass was a 
powerful advocate for the Jewish people and the world over. His support 
for the State of Israel and for Orthodox Judaism was instrumental in 
formulating national and international policies. He was a distinguished 
member of the Directorate of the Rabbinical Alliance. With the death of 
Rabbi Sholom Klass, the world has lost a moral leader of great 
magnitude.
  I want to extend my heartfelt and deepest condolences to the family 
of Rabbi Klass--to his wife, Irene, to his two daughters, Naomi Mauer 
and Mindy Greenwald, and to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. 
May they be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

                          ____________________