[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 7, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S3155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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              JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF GREATER COLUMBUS

 Mr. BROWN. Madam President, today I wish to celebrate the 
100th anniversary of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus in 
Columbus, OH.
  Since 1913, the JCC and its members have supported Ohioans through 
physical and mental well-being activities, early childhood initiatives, 
summer camps, and recreational sports programs.
  I congratulate this vital organization on reaching this milestone and 
join many central Ohioans in expressing the deepest gratitude for JCC's 
service to the Greater Columbus community.
  In 1913, Joseph Schonthal worked to help ensure Columbus's Jewish 
immigrant population had a place to come together in brotherhood.
  He began providing meeting rooms for these newcomers and organizing 
activities for their children.
  In 1918, he opened the Schonthal Center and the Jewish Infants Home 
of Ohio on East Rich Street in Columbus.
  Nine years later, he purchased 25 acres of land in Union County for 
youth summer camps. In 1949, with the help of the United Jewish Fund, 
the JCC broke ground on its current home located on College Avenue.
  Today's center is named in honor of Leo Yassenoff, the son of Russian 
immigrants, who made Columbus his home in 1912.
  He graduated from The Ohio State University in 1916. After serving in 
World War I, Leo Yassenoff helped start F&Y Construction Company, which 
built many local drive-in theaters.
  Yassenoff was a philanthropist throughout his life and donated a 
significant sum to the Jewish Center upon his death in 1971.
  In 1983, the current home for the Columbus JCC was named in his 
honor.
  In many ways, the stories of Leo Yassenoff and Joseph Schonthal are 
chapters in the larger American story--of neighbors coming together to 
make stronger communities.
  Today, the Jewish Community Center has multiple locations throughout 
the Columbus Metropolitan area, which provide recreation facilities and 
pre-school programs.
  JCC also continues to host summer camps and educate both students and 
adults on Jewish cultural heritage. It remains a hub for education, the 
arts, and spiritual well-being.
  It engages the Columbus Metropolitan area as a whole; transcending 
issues, cultures, ethnicities, races, and religions. JCC also provides 
classes to immigrants and new Americans.
  It works with organizations like the United Way providing services 
and education opportunities for those with special needs.
  Throughout the past century, the JCC has grown along with Columbus 
and remains focused on its goal: to serve its local community.
  On behalf of the people of Ohio and the United States, I thank the 
JCC of Greater Columbus for all their efforts and wish them another one 
hundred years of success. Mazel Tov! 

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