[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6274]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF ELI AND CHEDVA TREITEL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 8, 2012

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, a poignant episode in the Chumash reveals a 
strength of character few can claim. Leah's seemingly odd response to 
Rachel's request for the Dudaim, ``Is it not enough you took my 
husband? Now you want these too?'' begs a question. Didn't Leah know 
what Rachel did for her? Meforshim explain, Rachel must have given Leah 
the simonim in a way that concealed the truth. Doing for others is 
certainly praiseworthy; doing inconspicuously and with great personal 
sacrifice warrants the crown called ``a good name''.
  In this regard, Ohavei Torah is especially proud to honor its 
parents, Eli & Chedva Treitel, with the Keser Shem Tov award. Few 
positions are as thankless as that of Shul Gabbai. How remarkable it is 
that the diverse mispallelim of Monsey's Ateres Rosh feel unanimously 
blessed to have a true ``Yehoshua'' caring for all the needs of their 
shul: material, emotional and spiritual. The secret lies in one word: 
respect. The unparalleled kovod that Eli shows each person and every 
single shul need never fails. He keeps track of every aliya and chiyuv, 
buys and sets up Seudah Shlishis each week, sits on the board of 
directors and locks up the shul each night. For over 10 years, he does 
it all, notwithstanding his demanding position as Loan Officer for 
Meridian Capital, one of the largest Mortgage Brokers in the country.
  A talmid of Ner Yisroel, Eli's personal avoda reflects equal 
dedication. It is unheard of for him to miss his early Daf Yomi. 
Together with Chedva, they share an uncanny ability to make everyone 
comfortable, traversing all community sectors and ages. Recently, a 
young man felt reassured enough to open up to Eli about a 
misunderstanding with his Rebbe. Eli's insight and empathy helped the 
teen mend the rift, prompting the Rebbe to remark that such helpful 
advice must have come from an exceptional advisor.
  Like her husband, Chedva pursues shalom and chesed. Active in her 
children's schools and shul functions, her main priority remains always 
being vigilant about the feelings of others by seeing everyone in a 
positive light. Her soft-spoken, friendly and unassuming manner belies 
how much she actually accomplishes, often anticipating needs before 
being asked. Nothing is too difficult--extra driving, rearranging her 
schedule, full course dinners for neighbors in need and of course, 
quality time for each of her children. As Rabbi Pechter describes, 
``The respect and warmth they afford to everyone is unparalleled.'' 
This type of humility, honesty and gentle demeanor make their son Lippy 
a pleasure to have as a talmid at Ohavei Torah as well.
  Both Eli and Chedva's parents model the midos that make their 
children and grandchildren so well-liked. Eli's parents have upheld the 
tzarchei tzibor in LA for 50 years: Barbara Treitel as the beloved 
Hebrew reading specialist at Yavneh Hebrew Academy, now teaching her 
third generation and Stanley Treitel who tirelessly works on multiple 
political projects and community affairs on behalf of Klal Yisrael. 
Chedva's parents, Reuben & Sandra Botnick, noted attorney and real 
estate broker, respectively, are part of the founding family of 
Toronto's orthodox community.
  Eli and Chedva's children are a great source of pride to their family 
and community: Lippy, a senior at YOT, Rachaeli, a freshman at Ateres 
Bais Yakov in Monsey and Michal and Chaim, who attend Yeshiva of Spring 
Valley. Just as the Treitel Family carries the responsibilities of the 
community, may the they merit to carry their Keser Shem Tov with 
overflowing brocha, ad meah v'esrim shana.
  I proudly join with Yeshiva Ohavei Torah in honoring this wonderful 
couple.

                          ____________________