[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE YOUNG MASHADI JEWISH CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 8, 2003

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to call to the attention of the 
House an important event in my district: the groundbreaking for the 
Young Mashadi Jewish Center in Great Neck on December 14, 2003. I want 
to offer my best wishes and congratulations to all the men and women 
who have contributed their time, energy and support to bring this 
tremendous project into being.
  America and New York in particular have been blessed by a growing 
number of Jews of Iranian descent, who have made an enormous 
contribution to the health and vitality of our Jewish community. Owing 
to their bitter experience as a persecuted religious minority in Iran, 
they--more than most--have come to understand the meaning of the 
prophet Jeremiah, ``If you will remain in this land, then I will build 
you up and not pull you down; I will plant you, and not pluck you up. . 
. .'' The expansion of this community's physical presence through the 
construction of this center is a sign of continuing growth and 
maturity, and one which I happily encourage.
  Mr. Speaker, as always, breaking ground on a new religious center is 
a joyous event. Such structures are gifts to the future and expressions 
of our most admirable goals for our posterity. The Young Mashadi Jewish 
Center in Great Neck will include classrooms and a playground for 
children, a youth center for young adults, a recreational lounge to 
accommodate social, cultural, and educational programs for the 
community seniors, and other spaces available to host all those events 
which connect individuals and families to their community.
  This center will be built with love, dedication, determination and an 
abiding faith in the future of the Jewish people. In short, it will be 
a center that reflects the values of the people who built it.
  Mr. Speaker, in the Jewish faith, when a book of study is completed, 
the accomplishment is celebrated by offering encouragement to 
immediately return to the work ahead. The groundbreaking of the Young 
Mashadi Jewish Center in Great Neck is a great step forward, a real 
achievement. But it is a step which only promises greater things. In 
the days ahead, I know the whole House will join me in saying ``Chazak! 
Chazak! v'Nitchazayk!'' (Be strong! Be strong! And may we be 
strengthened!)

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