[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15551]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNITION OF RABBI JAY ROSENBAUM AND THE NORTH AMERICAN BOARD OF 
             RABBIS GERMAN-AMERICAN JEWISH EXCHANGE PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 12, 2007

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, Today, I rise to commend Rabbi Jay 
Rosenbaum and the North American Board of Rabbis (NABOR) on the fifth 
anniversary of the German-American Jewish youth exchange program.
  NABOR has brought together young high school students from Germany 
for an exchange program with American Jewish youth living in a variety 
of cities and suburbs throughout the United States. The students have 
learned about each other's cultures and traditions and in the process 
established close and enduring bonds of friendship. They meet not only 
other students participating in the exchange programs but also the 
larger population of teenagers in their schools. The result is that 
over tens of thousands of young people in Germany and the United States 
have been touched by this program which has gone far in increasing 
understanding of two very rich cultures.
  It is with real pleasure that I recognize Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum, who 
serves as the Spiritual Leader of Temple Israel of Lawrence, the oldest 
synagogue in Long Island. Rabbi Rosenbaum has been a leader in the 
Jewish community for over 30 years, and has been recognized for both 
the outstanding services he provides as a Congregational Rabbi as well 
as for work on his behalf of International Jewry and human rights. 
Rabbi Rosenbaum was the founder of the NABOR exchange. He was also 
among the leaders six years ago of a delegation of 50 Rabbis who 
visited Berlin to establish a closer relationship with the Jewish 
community, business community and leaders of the society in Germany.
  This year the North American Board of Rabbis is bestowing its Tikkun 
Olam award to Mr. Jan Carendi, Chairman of Allianz of America, and Mr. 
Ernst Lieb, President of Mercedes-Benz USA. Both Allianz and Mercedes 
Benz have distinguished themselves as enlightened companies that have 
supported the exchange program since its inception. Operating on a 
global platform, they have a tradition of striving to improve relations 
and understanding between German and the Jewish communities throughout 
the world. The award was presented at a ceremony hosted by Dr. Hans-
Juergen Heimsoeth, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in 
New York City, which has also played a prominent role in support of the 
exchange program.
  Madam Speaker, Germany has moved a long way from the dark days of the 
Third Reich and now has the fastest growing Jewish population in 
Europe. It is important for students to learn that past but also to 
develop an understanding of the dynamic positive changes taking place 
within German society. I therefore am pleased to recognize the great 
contributions being made by Rabbi Rosenbaum and the North American 
Board of Rabbis.

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