[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26526]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   COMMENDING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE 
                    FURTHERANCE OF JEWISH EDUCATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERROLD NADLER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 7, 2000

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to the National 
Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education, which will be 
celebrating its 60th Anniversary on Sunday, December 10, 2000, at an 
affair in Manhattan, New York.
  The National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education was 
founded in 1940 by the late Lubavicher Rebbe Joseph I. Schneerson. It 
was continued under Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Both Grand Rebbes 
lived through pogroms, two world wars, the rise of communism, the 
holocaust and tremendous personal challenges. But their idealism, 
learning, and faith shone through it all and inspired millions.
  The Rebbes fled war-torn Poland to establish the Lubavitcher movement 
in the United States. Not only were they the spiritual leaders of the 
Lubavicher Chasidim, but they were also revered and respected as great 
scholars and teachers by Jews and non-Jews around the world. Indeed, 
their work still lights the learning and daily mitzvos of Jews 
everywhere. Through the many manifestations of their energy and vision, 
and most of all their profound commitment to the importance of Jewish 
thought, belief and ethics, the Rebbes made an incalculable 
contribution to the spiritual lives of all people.
  In 1940, during the darkest days for Jews, Rebbe Joseph Schneerson 
dedicated himself to revitalizing Judaism, and in particular to 
inspiring American Jewry, by nurturing the Jewish soul and fostering 
``Yiddishkeit''. The Rebbe reasoned that only through learning and 
education would Jewish faith and Jewish life flourish. The Rebbe's 
idealism, learning, and his faith shone through it all and he inspired 
millions to love their Jewish culture, history and traditions.
  The Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education (NCFJE), is 
today the strongest in its history. Under the administrative leadership 
of Rabbi Jacob J. Hecht, the NCFJE is known as the ``organization with 
a heart'', with dedicated people willing to work tirelessly to help all 
Jews, regardless of their affiliation, with much needed education and 
social programs to help in both their spiritual and physical needs.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating NCFJE 
on the occasion of its 60th Anniversary, and wish it continued success 
and many great mitzvah's in the future.

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