[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 79 (Friday, June 3, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1046]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        STEVEN AND CHANI LAUFER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 3, 2011

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, Steven and Chani Laufer came to Riverdale in 
2005 and joined the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale the following year 
after attending a warm and moving Yom Kippur service there. They have 
been enthusiastic supporters ever since. They love the sincerity of the 
community, the caring and devotion of the rabbinic team, and the 
inspirational and progressive vision for the larger community that 
Rabbi Avi Weiss champions.
  Chani grew up in Pittsburgh, and has worked in television, politics, 
and as a reporter for the Bergen Record and The Philadelphia Enquirer. 
After earning her law degree, Chani represented children as a law 
guardian in the Bronx and New York City family courts. She is currently 
taking care of her family and also serves on the board of Yeshivat 
Maharat.
  Steven grew up in Stony Brook, N.Y., and is pursuing a doctorate in 
economics at New York University, after teaching high school science 
for several years. He is a former Tot Shabbat leader and organizes the 
HIR Purim Texas Hold 'Em Tournament.
  Steven and Chani have three children; Shoshana, 5, Ari, 3, and Erez, 
4 months. Like their parents, the children are enthused with the Hebrew 
Institute of Riverdale. They love celebrating holidays at HIR so much 
that Ari wakes up each morning for weeks afterwards asking ``Is it 
Simchat Torah today? Is it Purim today?''
  HIR is honoring this wonderful couple with the Young Leadership 
Award. I want to join with the HIR in congratulating and thanking this 
young couple for their good work in the community.

                          ____________________