[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 104 (Thursday, July 12, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER PITTSBURGH'S 100 YEARS OF 
                 SERVICE TO THE GLOBAL JEWISH COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARK S. CRITZ

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 12, 2012

  Mr. CRITZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Jewish Federation of 
Greater Pittsburgh for reaching its 100th year of service to Jewish 
communities around the globe. Since 1912, the Federation has been 
capably serving Jewish needs in the areas of healthcare, education and 
social welfare.
  Since its inception, the Federation has never taken its finger off 
the pulse of the global Jewish community. Its efforts have always kept 
pace with the dynamic challenges facing Jews living in Pittsburgh, 
Israel and elsewhere throughout the world. The Federation serves as the 
central Jewish fundraising organization for Greater Pittsburgh, and has 
undertaken a number of initiatives to build solidarity and promote 
prosperity within western Pennsylvania's Jewish community.
  In 1984, the Federation conducted a Comprehensive Jewish Community 
Study to highlight the needs of Greater Pittsburgh's Jewish population. 
The results led to the creation of a Jewish Community Center in 
Pittsburgh's South Hills and Jewish Residential Services for special 
needs individuals of the Jewish faith. After conducting a similar 
demographic study in 2002, the Federation established new outreach 
programs and created the Centennial Fund for a Jewish Future through 
the Jewish Community Foundation.
  The Federation has also done a significant amount of philanthropic 
work abroad. Federation leaders have done a great deal to promote the 
Buncher Community Leadership Program, which trains Jewish professionals 
from vulnerable Jewish communities throughout the world. They have also 
played an active role in programs such as Spectrum and Passover in the 
FSU, which focus on rebuilding Jewish communities in the former Soviet 
Union. Furthermore, the Federation was on the front lines of the 
humanitarian responses to Hurricane Katrina, the 2004 tsunami in Asia 
and the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
  In Israel, the Federation has actively helped to respond to terror 
attacks and promote economic development in recent years by raising 
more than $5.5 through its Israel Emergency campaign and by sponsoring 
numerous educational and solidarity programs. Historically, the 
Federation has also helped to raise money for Israel during times of 
conflict. Currently, the Foundation is working to advance the Jewish 
Agency for Israel's Partnership Together Program, which is focused on 
strengthening relationships between Jews in Israel and the Diaspora, 
and on promoting economic development within Israel's Karmei and Misgav 
region.
  Mr. Speaker, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh's long 
history of promoting solidarity and prosperity within Jewish 
communities throughout the world is a testament to its abiding 
commitment to philanthropy. I offer this great organization my most 
heartfelt congratulations on 100 years of fruitful community service.

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