[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 8 (Tuesday, February 1, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DR. DAVID LIEBER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 1, 2005

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Waxman and I pay tribute today to a 
remarkable individual and a dear friend, Dr. David Lieber. Dr. Lieber 
will be joined by his colleagues, family and friends on February 10, 
2005, at a special University of Judaism dinner to celebrate his 80th 
birthday. The dinner's theme, ``Walking Humbly with God,'' is 
especially fitting given the enormity of Dr. Lieber's accomplishments 
and the humility for which he is well known.
  Since 1956 when Dr. Lieber was appointed Dean of Students of the 
nine-year-old University of Judaism (UJ), he has been a driving force 
for improvement and expression. He helped transform the University from 
a Hebrew Teachers Institute that offered adult classes in what is now 
known as Korea Town into a nationally recognized educational institute 
complete with an undergraduate college, graduate programs in education, 
business administration, Jewish studies and rabbinic studies, a large 
library and two think tanks. He served as University President for an 
impressive twenty nine years until he retired in 1993.
  Dr. Lieber continues to be intellectually and spiritually 
inspirational to the Jewish community. Since his retirement as 
University President, he dedicated himself to assembling a superb team 
of scholars and produced Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary, a work that 
makes it possible for millions to benefit from his knowledge and 
dedication. We have known him for many years and have great respect for 
his wisdom and guidance.
  Throughout his lifetime, Dr. Lieber has worked on behalf of many 
issues of importance to the Jewish people. He is past president of the 
Rabbinical Assembly and served on the Assembly's Executive Committee. 
He chaired its Strategic Planning Committee which evaluated needs of 
the religious body into the year 2000. He is an ordained Rabbi and 
former spiritual leader of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles 1950-1954. He 
served as Chaplain for B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation at both the 
University of Washington and Harvard University. In recognition of his 
work, he was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters degree, honoris causa 
by Hebrew Union College in 1982 and the Torch of Learning Award by 
Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1984.
  Dr. David Lieber received a BA, magna cum laude, in 1944 from College 
of the City of New York and a Bachelor of Hebrew Letters from Jewish 
Technological Seminary of America. In 1947 he was awarded a Master's 
degree from Columbia University and received a Doctor of Hebrew 
Literature Degree from Jewish Theological Seminary in 1951.
  Dr. Lieber and his accomplished wife, Dr. Esther Lieber, were married 
June 10, 1945, are the proud parents of Michael, Deborah, Daniel, and 
Susan. They have twelve beautiful grandchildren.
  It is our distinct pleasure to ask our colleagues to join us in 
saluting our dear friend Dr. David Lieber and the institution he built 
for our children and generations to come.

                          ____________________