[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 101 (Thursday, June 12, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E568]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       PAYING TRIBUTE TO RABBI PHILIP LAZOWSKI AND RUTH LAZOWSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2025

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to Rabbi Philip Lazowski and his wife of 70 years, Ruth Lazowski--both 
Holocaust survivors and pillars of the Greater Hartford community.
  On June 14, 2025, a kiddush will be held in their honor, along with 
their granddaughter, Jesse, as they all celebrate birthdays in the 
month of June. This joyous occasion will take place at the Emanuel 
Synagogue in West Hartford, Connecticut, where Rabbi Lazowski serves as 
Rabbi Emeritus. Rabbi Lazowski will turn 95 on June 13, 2025; Ruth 
Lazowski celebrated her 90th birthday on June 9, 2025; and Jesse will 
turn 35, also on June 13, 2025.
  The Lazowski name is synonymous with service in Connecticut and 
beyond. For the past 70 years, Rabbi Lazowski has been widely regarded 
as the spiritual leader of Greater Hartford's Jewish community, having 
served at Congregation Beth Sholom Synagogue in Hartford and later as 
spiritual leader at Beth Hillel Synagogue in Bloomfield, until his 
retirement in 2000.
  In addition to his leadership in these synagogues, Rabbi Lazowski 
served as Chaplain for Hartford Hospital's Institute of Living, where 
he spearheaded a mental health initiative, and as Chaplain for the 
Hartford Police. He also recently retired, after 25 years, as Chaplain 
of the State Senate. Upon his retirement, Rabbi Lazowski declared, ``As 
a Holocaust survivor, I am grateful to be alive, to live in this free 
and noble state of Connecticut, in our blessed United States of 
America.''
  Rabbi Lazowski and his family's story is one of courage, triumph, and 
perseverance in the face of adversity. He and Ruth narrowly escaped 
Nazi-occupied Poland, only to be reunited in Hartford after World War 
II. Philip was separated from his family in a round-up in the Zhetel 
ghetto in Bielica. In an extraordinary act of selflessness and bravery, 
a nurse named Mirian Rabinowitz helped save Philip's life by pretending 
to be his mother while also protecting her two young daughters (one of 
whom was Ruth). Philip evaded capture by hiding in the ``White Russian 
Woods'' with his father and brother for years before eventually making 
his way to the United States in 1947.
  It is a true honor to recognize Rabbi Lazowski, Ruth Lazowski, and 
Jesse Lazowski on this special occasion. I am deeply grateful for the 
friendship of the Lazowski family and for all they have done for the 
Greater Hartford community, the State of Connecticut, and the United 
States of America. I look forward to the Torah service and kiddush and 
wish them very happy birthdays and continued health and prosperity.

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