[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 26, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E204-E205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING SYDNEY ALDERMAN PERRY FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 26, 2002

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to 
join the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven in honoring an 
outstanding member of our community and my good friend, Sydney Alderman 
Perry. Sydney has been the Director of the Department of Jewish 
Education for over a decade and has made many invaluable contributions 
to the Jewish Federation during her tenure.
  I have often spoke of our nation's need for talented, creative 
educators ready to help our children learn and grow. Sydney is a true 
reflection of this ideal. In the twelve years that she has served as 
the Director of the Department of Jewish Education, Sydney has worked 
diligently to improve the synagogue supplementary schools and has 
initiated a number of education programs for both adults and teens.
  In developing ``A Taste of Honey'' and its offshoots, ``A Taste of 
Milk and Honey'' and ``A Taste of Apples and Honey,'' Sydney created 
new and exciting educational programming for adults and teens. She 
spearheaded the Israel Experience Savings program, which helps young 
people travel to Israel and she initiated Talmud Torah Meyuchad, an 
individualized Jewish education program for children with special 
needs. She is also responsible for the development of Midrasha, a new 
adult institute, and the successful community Hebrew High School, 
MAKOM, which serves three hundred and fifty teens throughout the New 
Haven area.
  In addition to her work in education, Sydney has also dedicated her 
time and energy to the Jewish Federation. For the past six years, she 
has served as the Associate Executive Director of the Federation and is 
presently the Acting Director. In this position, Sydney serves on the 
Long Range Planning committee; helps staff the Community Relations 
Council and leadership development; supervises the Holocaust Education-
Prejudice Reduction Project, Stepping Stones, and the new library at 
the Jewish Community Center; and acts as an advocate for Jewish 
continuity. She has served as a consultant to the community on 
educational endeavors, including the Anne Frank

[[Page E205]]

Project, Shepherd '92, Jerusalem 3000 and the celebration of Israel's 
50th Anniversary. Sydney is an extraordinary scholar, often called upon 
nationally to give workshops and has served as scholar-in-residence for 
several communities.
  Sydney has shown an unparalleled dedication to Jewish education in 
our community and throughout the nation---a commitment that is 
reflected in the myriad of awards she has been honored with over the 
years. I am proud to join her husband, Ted, her children, 
grandchildren, family, friends, and colleagues in extending my sincere 
thanks and appreciation to Sydney Alderman Perry for her outstanding 
service to our community. She is a true inspiration!

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