[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 88 (Friday, June 22, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6658-S6660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SURVIVOR'S TALMUD DEDICATION CEREMONY

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today to share with my colleagues 
an historical event which took place at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, 
VA on May 22, 2001. The event memorializes a remarkable chapter in Army 
history that occurred after Word War II.
  The event was the dedication of the Survivor's Talmud Exhibit which 
was done in honor of a truly great man, Leonard Strelitz, by his close 
friends. The story of the Survivor's Talmud speaks to the strength and 
resolve of a very determined people of Jewish faith some 54 years ago; 
and, to the resourcefulness and caring of a handful of U.S. Army 
soldiers.
  Today, I place in the Congressional Record excerpts from the ceremony 
that convey the historical and spiritual splendidness of this 
extraordinary tale to include: the Invocation, by Rabbi Dr. Israel 
Zoberman, spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Chaverim in Virginia 
Beach; Remarks and Benediction by Major General Gaylord T. Gunhus, 
Chief of Chaplains, U.S. Army; and Remarks by Mr. Marvin Simon and Mr. 
Walter Segaloff, hosts of the evening's events.
  Due to Senate business on the day of the ceremony, I was not able to 
attend so I am also placing in the Record a copy of a letter I wrote to 
be read during the ceremony.
  As this magnificent exhibit tours throughout the country, I hope it 
will instill in younger generations the critical importance of 
preserving human rights, individual dignity, and freedom. It will 
remind future generations of the incomprehensible sacrifices of the 
World War II generation and their need to always remain alert to 
prevent a reoccurrence in the future.
  I ask unanimous consent to print the material to which I referred.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                  Remarks of Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman

       Mekor Hachaim, Source of All Life, Our God, Goodness' 
     Guide, Dear and Distinguished Friends and Guests:
       We have gathered on a momentous occasion at this enchanting 
     setting of the Chrysler Museum of Art, dedicated to 
     civilization's creative celebration of life, mindful that our 
     Norfolk and Hampton Roads are home to the military might for 
     sacred freedom's sake of the world's sole superpower, 
     allowing the human enterprise to flourish into a blessing. 
     Here from whence our heroic sons and daughters sailed to 
     brave history's harshest storm of World War II, we recall 
     with lasting gratitude and devotion our proud nation's 
     sacrificial contribution in blood and spirit to ending the 
     threat to creation of the Nazi kingdom of death, with its 
     genocidal destruction of a third of the Jewish people and 
     untold suffering to humanity.
       I stand before you, profoundly awed, son of Polish 
     Holocaust survivors who spent from 1947 to 1949 with my 
     family in the Displaced Persons Camp of Wetzlar at Frankfurt, 
     benefiting from a much appreciated reassuring embrace at a 
     trying time of turmoil and transition. The printing for us of 
     the Talmud on German soil facilitated by the U.S. Army, to 
     save the Jewish soul, was an act of enduring love we shall 
     always cherish. We knew that our miraculous physical 
     perseverance was ultimately rooted in preserving our unique 
     spiritual heritage that was Hitler's final target, seeking to 
     eradicate from the planet Earth the essential Judeo-Christian 
     values and ideals.
       Honoring our U.S. Army and government through affirming by 
     special friends the blessed memory of beloved Leonard 
     Strelitz with acquiring a full 19 volume edition of that 
     legendary Babylonian Talmud publication is most appropriate 
     indeed, along with this being the beginning of the traveling 
     treasured exhibit sponsored by the American Jewish Historical 
     Society. Leonard's towering stature propelled him to rise to 
     new heights of commitment, caring and compassion. A great 
     American, the prophetic vision was fulfilled in him with both 
     the lion and lamb dwelling in his big heart of a true leader 
     with commanding presence. He singularly served the surviving 
     remnant of his Jewish people as a tough lion, national 
     chairman of the United Jewish Appeal aiding the embattled 
     State of Israel, as well as a tender lamb in support of all 
     worthy causes with the crown jewel of the Leonard R. Strelitz 
     Diabetes Institutes at Eastern Virginia Medical School, 
     placing personal success to serve the public agenda, most 
     ably prodding others to follow suit, for none could refuse 
     him.
       To him, his dear wife Joyce who nourished and sustained him 
     and the entire family, our heartfelt thanks. Leonard's 
     inspiring legacy is forever intertwined with out tradition's 
     best impulse and the noblest in our nation's character, 
     shining testimony to his faith's abiding message to all of 
     shalom's promise, purpose and peace. Let us say Amen.
       [Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman, spiritual leader of 
     Congregation Beth Chaverim in Virginia Beach, is President of 
     the Hampton Roads Board of Rabbis and Chairman of the 
     Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation 
     of Tidewater. He was born in Kazakhstan in 1945.]
                                  ____


       Speech and Benediction by Major General Gaylord T. Gunhus

       On behalf of the United States Army, it is with great 
     pleasure that I accept this plaque. Thank you for this 
     symbol, of your gracious recognition for the service our Army 
     rendered to the Jewish community in post War

[[Page S6659]]

     Germany. It is an honor to be here today to acknowledge the 
     events that led to the printing of the Survivors Army Talmud 
     and to acknowledge the role United States Army leaders had in 
     making the Talmud printing possible.
       Most Americans are unaware of the history and story, which 
     we have heard and celebrate today.
       Europe in the mid 20th century, a site of the worst carnage 
     and evil in the modern period, was freed at great cost a cost 
     few of us here were able to witness first hand.
       This Great War of liberation against the forces of 
     totalitarianism, posed for the entire world, then and now, an 
     open question. Can mankind find the goodness within the soul 
     to defend against the impulses of tyranny and hatred? This is 
     a question we must answer daily for ourselves, and for the 
     sake of our children, the heirs of the future.
       It is with great pride in the values, which our nation 
     represents, that I stand here today. This pride, which we 
     share in common, is tempered by the knowledge of the 
     sacrifice and courage of those, who in times past, gave their 
     lives for our fondest hopes of liberty.
       We know that a free nation must rise above the simple pride 
     bestowed by victory in war. A free nation, if it desires to 
     be great, must be the servant of freedom and the defender of 
     dignity for every man and woman. The Army of our nation in 
     post war Europe, was then, and is today, more than a mighty 
     physical force.
       Similarly, the printing of the Talmud in Post War Germany 
     is more than simply the printing of books. The event for 
     which we gather today to commemorate and honor, the 
     restoration of the Jewish religious and cultural life in 
     Germany after the defeat of Nazi forces, is the result of 
     many individuals labor and courage. Some of these leaders 
     were men in uniform some were not, some were religious 
     leaders some were not, but each was connected by a common 
     commitment to turn back the tide of darkness that had spilled 
     across the continent.
       For me, this event signifies the values and principles of 
     our nation and the institution that I serve, the United 
     States Army.
       It would be my hope that every citizen could witness this 
     exhibit and read the history that helped bring back the light 
     to those that may otherwise have lost hope. May the words of 
     the Scriptures ever be heard, ``Hear O Israel: The Lord our 
     God, the Lord is one.''
       On behalf of (Army Chief of Staff) General (Eric) Shinseki, 
     and all the members of the Army, past and present, thank you 
     for your gift of gratitude and this symbol of appreciation.


                              Benediction

       As we conclude today's ceremony honoring the many 
     participants including the 3rd U.S. Army for bringing the 
     light of the Torah to the victims of persecution, we are ever 
     grateful, as Americans and men and women of faith, for the 
     blessings of freedom and privilege of living in this great 
     land. We ask, Lord, that you watch and protect our brave 
     soldiers who stand guard over the nation throughout the 
     world.
       May this magnificent Army Talmud Exhibit serve as a 
     poignant reminder that Your Word, is the ``tree of life for 
     those who grasp it, and all who upheld it are blessed. Its 
     ways are pleasantness and all its paths are peace.'' And, as 
     we read, in Proverbs (6:22-23) ``When you walk, it will lead 
     you; When you lie down, it will watch over you; And when you 
     are awake it will talk with you. For these commands are a 
     lamp, this teaching a light.''
       Let us, as people of God, work together to build a world 
     free from intolerance and prejudice. All this we ask in Your 
     name. Amen.
                                  ____



                Excerpts From Remarks of Walter Segaloff

       Good Evening everyone. I am Walter Segaloff and I want to 
     thank you for joining us for this very historic occasion.
       This evening is special for two reasons--
       First, we deal with a forgotten chapter in our history, 
     that is ``The Story of the Jewish--Displaced Persons--From 
     1945 thru 1949''--and the unique part that the United States 
     Army played in that tragedy.
       Secondly, we honor Leonard Strelitz through the dedication 
     of the Army Talmud Exhibit to him. Many of us knew Leonard as 
     ``our leader'' or affectionately as ``the Don of the Southern 
     Mafia.'' He was the one who energized so many of us, the one 
     who solicited us, and by way of example through his and his 
     brother Buddy's and their family's extraordinary level of 
     giving set an example that we willingly and in many cases 
     ``unwillingly'' followed. Most of the time we felt better 
     about our giving, we felt prouder, for we knew we were making 
     vital contributions to the birth of a nation and the 
     gathering in of the remnants of the Holocaust--the displaced 
     persons of Europe.
       I would like to recognize a number of people who are in the 
     audience tonight for this occasion:
       TRADOC Chief of Chaplains, COL Douglas McLeroy and his 
     wife, Dana;
       Dr. William Hennessey, Director of the Chrysler Museum of 
     Art in Norfolk;
       Dr. Michael Feldberg, Director of the American Jewish 
     Historical Society in New York City;
       Dr. Arthur Kaplan, chairman, of the Tidewater Jewish 
     Foundation and his wife Phyllis;
       Philip S. Rovner, Executive Director of the Tidewater 
     Jewish Federation;
       Ms. Annabel Sacks, President United Jewish Federation of 
     Tidewater;
       Mark Goldstein, Executive Vice President of the United 
     Jewish Federation of Tidewater;
       Rabbi Michael Panitz of Temple Israel who prepared a 
     pamphlet on the Talmud that is available at the exhibit;
       Joel R. Rubin, President, Rubin Cawley and Associates;
       U.S. Senator John Warner.
       We are privileged to have with us a truly unique group of 
     people who honor us with their presence--Local Holocaust 
     Survivors:
       Esther Goldman;
       Alfred Dreyfus;
       David and Brinia Hendler;
       David Katz;
       Bronia Drucker;
       Hanns Loewenbach;
       Kitty and Abbott Saks;
       Aron Weintraub who lived in a DP camp after World War II in 
     Germany.
       Tonight the Jewish Community in Hampton Roads Virginia 
     representing Jewish people everywhere is pleased to dedicate 
     an exhibit commemorating the decision by the United States 
     Army 54 years ago. in post war Germany to print complete sets 
     of the Babylonian Talmud for the survivors of the Holocaust.
       It was a remarkable humanitarian gesture and was evidence 
     of the great spirit of our nation and its kindness to people 
     who have been beset by human tragedy that defied comparison 
     or imagination.
       Later in the program you will hear from Marvin Simon how 
     this exhibit and program came about.
       In preparing this exhibit, Dr. Michael Feldberg from the 
     American Jewish Historical Society expressed his enthusiasm 
     for the project and noted: ``. . . I understand that 
     Leonard's Hebrew name is R-YEA (aryon), which means lion, and 
     that his family name Strelitz in Russian means steel. We 
     would all agree Leonard was truly a man with a lion's heart 
     and a will of steel. His leadership and personal example 
     inspired countless others throughout the country--through 
     them--through us--his work continues to this day. . . .''
       A brief overview of the primary reason we are here tonight 
     which is to thank the U.S. Army for their role . . . During 
     these historic times.
       During 1945 and 1946, American Jewish organizations such as 
     ORT and the Joint Distribution Committee lobbied to improve 
     the Jewish DP's living conditions. At their urging, President 
     Harry S. Truman appointed the Harrison Commission to 
     investigate the treatment of Jewish DP's. The commission 
     reported, ``As matters now stand, we appear to be treating 
     the Jews as the Nazis treated them except we do not 
     exterminate them. They are in concentration camps in large 
     numbers under our military guard instead of S.S. troops. One 
     is led to wonder whether the German people, seeing this, are 
     not supposing that we are following or at least condoning 
     Nazi policy.''
       Truman ordered General Dwight D. Eisenhower, commander of 
     U.S. forces in Europe, to ``get these people out of camps and 
     into decent housing until they can be repatriated or 
     evacuated . . . I know you will agree with me that we have a 
     particular responsibility toward these victims of persecution 
     and tyranny who are in our zone . . . We have no better 
     opportunity to demonstrate this than by the manner in which 
     we ourselves actually treat the survivors remaining in 
     Germany.''
       Part of restoring their lives meant reinvigorating Judaism. 
     Remember, along with humans, the Nazi's burned Jewish books, 
     synagogues and schools. By 1945, not one complete set of the 
     Talmud could be found in Europe.
       After Truman's memo to Eisenhower, conditions got much 
     better followed by a high level mission of American Jewish 
     leaders including Rabbi Stephen Wise who visited the camps in 
     a show of support for the DPs and Rabbi Wise thanked the U.S. 
     Army and General McNarnary when he said ``At its highest 
     levels, the U.S. Army has become sincerely and deeply 
     involved in the effort to make camp life bearable, restoring 
     freedom and dignity to the survivors of the Holocaust.''
       The Army was showing the very best side of American 
     humanitarianism in its handling of a civilian refugee 
     situation, a task for which it was not trained.
       With the U.S. Army's encouragement, a ``Charter of 
     Recognition'' was written. The U.S. Army was saying something 
     that no other arm of any allied government was yet willing to 
     say--that the Jewish DP's must be recognized as different. 
     All other DP's could be repatriated to a homeland; only the 
     Jews were without one.
       The difference could be remedied by a political decision 
     beyond the Army's capability. But in the meantime, the Army 
     would declare, in effect, that Palestine had to be recognized 
     someday as the DP's homeland. Thus, the most important 
     military arm of the United States was accepting the basic 
     premises of the Zionist movement. How remarkable!
       I quote from part of Rabbi Herbert Friedman's book ``Roots 
     of the Future''.
       He writes ``No matter which camp in Germany I visited, I 
     kept hearing the name of Babenhausen. It became a symbol for 
     restlessness, for the huge problem of being stuck in camps 
     without a solution for the future. The question grew more 
     persistent: ``When will we get to Palestine?''
       About two months later, I was able to help supply an 
     answer. David Ben-Gurion, chairman of the Jewish Agency, was 
     in Paris, en

[[Page S6660]]

     route to Switzerland. He wanted to visit a refugee camp--not 
     a model operation, but one in which he could see the true, 
     rough fiber of DP life. I took him to Babenhausen.
       Ben Gurion was the clear and undisputed leader of the 
     Jewish population of Palestine (about 600,000 at that time) 
     and the leader of world Jewry's thrust toward a sovereign 
     state. He was a fighter--the small, cocky, bantam rooster--
     the charismatic, world famous symbol of the Zionist force.
       For the occasion, we utilized the camp's largest stable, 
     with a small stage at one end and standing room for thousands 
     of people. Ben-Gurion's presence did indeed produce an 
     electric wave of excitement. So many DP's crowded in that it 
     seemed almost all of the camp's 5,000 residents were pressed 
     into that area. They knew that this dynamic, white-haired man 
     was their link with a history they thought had forgotten 
     them.
       For the first time, there were smiles inside the gates of 
     Babenhausen, and then came the inevitable question--poignant, 
     pleading, uncertain, wavering, but persistent: ``When, Mr. 
     Ben-Gurion? When will we go to Palestine?''
       As Ben-Gurion listened to those questions, he began to 
     weep, the only time in my long relationship with him I saw 
     that happen. The tears fell slowly. He spoke through them, 
     quietly but firmly. I remember his words almost exactly:
       ``I come to you with empty pockets. I have no British entry 
     certificates to give you. I can only tell you that you are 
     not abandoned, you are not alone, you will not live endlessly 
     in camps like this. All of you who wish to come to Palestine 
     will be brought there as soon as is humanly possible. I bring 
     you no certificates--only hope. Let us sing our national 
     anthem--Hatikvah which means Hope.''
       In that way, the people of Babenhausen understood that 
     their unloved camp was not the end of the line but a way 
     station on the road to freedom.
       After the apparent absence of God during the maniacal years 
     of their torment, the survivors were not strong in religious 
     faith. But they were fierce in their ethnicity; they clung to 
     each other desperately and were loyal to their peoplehood. 
     And, thus the reason we are here tonight--to honor the U.S. 
     Army for their understanding, sympathy, and the morality of 
     their conduct and their help in providing books of 
     traditional significance.
       The rest of this remarkable story which 54 years later 
     brings us to tonight is left to Marvin Simon, Senator John 
     Warner, and our guest speaker--Lucian Truscott IV and to 
     Major General Gaylord T. Gunhus, Chief of the U.S. Army 
     Chaplains.
       I now call on another giant of our community who was the 
     lead benefactor of this project--the man who made tonight 
     possible. He has worked closely with the American Jewish 
     Historical Society to make sure the exhibit tells the 
     story, both of the Survivor's Talmud and of Leonard 
     Strelitz. Please welcome Marvin Simon.


                Introduction of sponsors by Marvin Simon

       Please welcome our guest Senator Chuck Robb--a friend of 
     many of you--a long time proven friend of Israel and the 
     Jewish people--Senator Robb


                  Introduction of Senator John Warner

       In 1946, a delegation of DP rabbis approached General 
     Joseph McNarney, commander of the American Zone of Occupied 
     Germany, asking that the Army publish a Talmud. McNarney 
     understood the symbolic significance of their request and 
     received assistance from General Lucian Truscott who had 
     succeeded General George Patton as commander of the 3rd Army.
       The grandson of General Lucian Truscott is Historian Lucian 
     Truscott IV and we are pleased that he is with us this 
     evening as our keynote speaker.
       Mr. Truscott, whose father was a West Point graduate and 
     Colonel in the Army, is the oldest of five children. Mr. 
     Truscott graduated from West Point in 1969, then made a name 
     for himself by revealing a serious problem with heroin abuse 
     that existed in the service, a revelation that at first did 
     not sit well with the Army and led to his discharge.
       Lucian Truscott subsequently became a investigative 
     reporter for the Village Voice, then the best author of Dress 
     Gray, considered one of the best novels ever written about 
     West Point. It became a television mini-series. Mr. Truscott 
     then wrote Dress Blue, a riveting novel about Vietnam. He has 
     also written screenplays and today lives in Los Angeles.
       Please welcome Lucian Truscott IV.


                     Introduction of Joyce Strelitz

       It is my pleasure now to bring you someone who needs no 
     introduction to this audience. Joyce Strelitz. Tonight the 
     benefactors would like to thank the following for tonight 
     would not have been possible without their invaluable 
     participation, work and support in the coordination of the 
     Survivors' Talmud exhibit and dedication.
       Thank you to:
       American Jewish Historical Society, Executive Director, Dr. 
     Michael Feldberg;
       Chrysler Museum of Art, Director Dr. William T. Hennessey 
     and a truly wonderful staff;
       Rubin Cawley and Associates, President Joel R. Rubin;
       Rabbi Michael Panitz, Temple Israel in Norfolk;
       Headquarters TRADOC, Ft. Monroe;
       Ft. Eustis Public Affairs;
       Ft. Story Public Affairs;
       Mr. Mark Goldstein, Executive Director of the Tidewater 
     Jewish Federation and Ms. AnnaBelle Sacks, President of the 
     Tidewater Jewish Federation;
       Dr. Arthur Kaplan--President of Tidewater Jewish 
     Foundation;
       And last Philip Rover, Executive Director of the Tidewater 
     Jewish Foundation who did a truly wonderful job in a 
     leadership role, his organizational skills, follow through 
     and support, made doing this project a pleasure. Thank you 
     Philip, Beth Jacobsen, and Ellen Anitai and the rest of your 
     staff.
                                  ____



                                                  U.S. Senate,

                                     Washington, DC, May 22, 2001.
     To the Special Participants and Guests of the Survivors' 
         Talmud Dedication Ceremony and members of the Strelitz 
         Family:
       It is with extreme disappointment that I pen this note to 
     be read in my stead at today's ceremony. I had planned until 
     one hour ago to be with you but the only thing senators must 
     do is to vote, so here I must remain--voting--on legislation 
     to provide federal tax relief.
       My thoughts, however, are truly with you as the Survivors' 
     Talmud Exhibit is dedicated and a long awaited `Thank you' is 
     delivered to the U.S. Army. This extraordinary story speaks 
     to the strength and resolve of a determined people and it is 
     in honor of a great man, Leonard Strelitz.
       In a war ravaged Europe, Army soldiers managed to gather 
     scarce resources, that ``officially'' did not exist, in order 
     to publish the Talmud. By the end of 1948, 100 copies had 
     been published and a brave people had renewed hope for their 
     future.
       That is the historic past; now we look to the future. The 
     citizens of this community have joined in this commemorative 
     event to preserve a unique chapter of history for future 
     generations to more fully understand the sacrifices, losses, 
     and the courage of the World War II generation.
       With great humility I mention that I was a young sailor in 
     the closing months of World War II, and today, I experience 
     stunning disbelief of how few of this generation have any 
     remembrance of that period of history. Future generations 
     must always remain alert to prevent abuses of human rights, 
     individual dignity, and freedom. I thank those present 
     tonight for their vigilance and recognition of the 
     initiatives of the citizen soldiers of World War II.
       With kind regards, I am
           Sincerely,
     John Warner.

                          ____________________