[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22075]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       COMMENDING LEONID NEVZLIN

 Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to Leonid 
Nevzlin on his recent appointment to serve as international chair of 
the United Jewish Communities UJC/Jewish Federations of North America 
2009 General Assembly in Washington, DC, beginning on November 8 of 
this year. Leonid's leadership in the Jewish community and his 
commitment to so many philanthropic causes around the world make him a 
natural for this important role. I am pleased to commend him today on 
this honor.
  The UJC/Jewish Federations of North America plays an extraordinary 
role in inspiring a spirit of philanthropy and service. It has brought 
notable energy to the Save Darfur movement and continues to promote 
effective lobbying on a broad range of social justice issues. The UJC's 
General Assembly, which is held annually, is an event that brings 
people from across North America and the world together to discuss and 
to plan the organization's important work.
  Leonid Nevzlin has shown a steadfast commitment to human rights, 
social justice, and democracy in his life and philanthropic work. Born 
and educated in Russia, Leonid began his philanthropic efforts by 
establishing the Moscow Jewish Cultural Center and worked to develop a 
number of Jewish educational programs that serve communities throughout 
Russia. As president of the Russian Jewish Congress, Leonid showed his 
leadership on a range of noteworthy causes, including preserving Jewish 
culture.
  Leonid continued this service when he moved to Israel and established 
a charitable foundation dedicated to preserving and promoting Jewish 
heritage globally. Among other initiatives, Leonid founded a research 
center at Hebrew University in Jerusalem that adopts a 
multidisciplinary approach to the study of Jewish history. He has 
carried his commitment to education and cross-cultural exchange beyond 
universities and continues to have a meaningful impact on Jewish 
communities worldwide through the Jewish People Policy Planning 
Institute, the Birthright Israel and Masa Israel Journey Programs, and 
his leadership in the redevelopment of Beit Hatfutsot, the Museum of 
the Jewish People, in Tel Aviv.
  The Torah tells us that ``Deeds of giving are the very foundation of 
the world.'' Leonid Nevzlin has built a strong foundation for so many 
Jewish communities around the world through his deeds of giving. He 
inspires us with his philanthropic and entrepreneurial spirit, and I 
congratulate him today on a well-deserved appointment.

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