[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 160 (Thursday, November 6, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2251-E2252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE 13TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HENRY S. REICH BUILDING OF THE 
              JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 6, 2003

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commemorate 
the 13th anniversary of the Henry S. Reich Building of the Jewish 
Community Center of Northern Virginia, JCCNV.
  The JCCNV, located in Fairfax, Virginia, is a social service 
organization dedicated to enriching lives through spiritual and 
cultural Jewish programs. The center is open to all, yet aims 
specifically to meet the needs of the local Jewish community by 
preserving and promoting the heritage and values of Judaism.
  In 1977, an impressive 5,000-person turnout at the First Hanukah 
Happening revealed both a need and support for a Jewish Community 
Center in Northern Virginia. The following March of 1978, the JCCNV 
first opened on Dorr Avenue with Adele Greenspon as Executive Director, 
a part-time Program Coordinator, and a part-time secretary.
  In 1980, the newly established JCCNV Board Of Directors voted to 
purchase the Commonwealth Christian School on Little River Turnpike to 
house the Center until a permanent facility could be built. Several 
years later in 1986, Jeffrey Karatz was appointed the second Executive 
Director of the JCCNV. Then in the spring of 1989, construction began 
for the Henry S. Reich building we are celebrating today.
  Upon completion in 1990, Governor Douglas Wilder dedicated the Henry 
S. Reich building. This building since has provided a home for 
cultural, educational, recreational, and social programming for all 
ages, faiths, and nationalities. More than 150,000 visit the Center 
each year, making the JCCNV a key part of the ever-growing Northern 
Virginia community.
  There is a myriad of programming available at the Center including: 
early childhood, elementary, teen, adult, new immigrant, and senior 
programs; camping programs; sports, fitness, and aquatics programs; art 
exhibits; and a JCCNV International Film Festival. The Henry S. Reich 
building also houses Gesher, the only Jewish Day School in Northern 
Virginia; The Center Company, the only Jewish professional theatre 
company in Northern Virginia; and an office of the Jewish Federation of 
Greater Washington.
  In addition, the JCCNV has a history of cooperative ventures with 
synagogues, local and national Jewish organizations, and Fairfax County 
schools and hospitals. The overwhelming JCCNV popularity motivated the 
Center to establish satellite programming in the western suburbs of 
Reston, Herndon and Springfield.
  All things considered, from modest beginnings in 1977, the JCCNV has 
experienced great success. Its founders envisioned a center of culture, 
spirituality, learning, exercise, and entertainment; the Henry S. Reich 
building has helped make this vision a reality.

[[Page E2252]]

Through commendable drive and dedication, the JCCNV certainly has made 
a lasting impact on the Jewish and greater community of Northern 
Virginia.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to congratulate the Jewish 
Community Center of Northern Virginia on 13 years of success in the 
Henry S. Reich building. I call upon my colleagues to join me in 
applauding their efforts to uphold Jewish tradition and serve their 
community.

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