In 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed the month of May: Jewish American Heritage Month, at the urging of Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida and former Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania.
Congresswoman Wasserman Shultz explained, Jewish American Heritage Month was created to increase tolerance and raise awareness about the depth and breath of contributions of Jews through 350 years of Jewish life in America.
This year, six pillars of Jewish society were honored by members of Congress at a celebration in the US Capitol. The special guests were Rabbi Simcha Scholar, Rabbi Abe Friedman, Alyza Lewin, Rabbi Elie Abadie, Phil Friedman and Ari Scharf.
The keynote address was delivered by Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who is being touted as a possible running mate for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Senator Rubio was introduced by Stanley Tate an icon of the South Florida community. Acknowledging the contributions of the honorees were Congressmen Bob Turner and Louie Gohmert, House Homeland Security Chairman Peter T. King and Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
Senator John Barrasso was introduced by Sidney Greenberger, who is on the Board of Governors of the Raoul Wallenberg Centennial Celebration Commission.
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis acted as Master of Ceremonies.
The honorees have collectively participated in human rights, health services, business, technology, government, the judicial system, and law enforcement. They are the embodiment of American ideals.
Rabbi Simcha Scholar is the executive vice president of Chai Lifeline, which provides services to thousands of seriously ill children and their families.
Rabbi Abe Friedman is a Hasidic community leader who, for over 15 years, has been a chaplain/community liaison to numerous law enforcement agencies in New York and New Jersey including the New York Police Department, the New Jersey State Police Department, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, as well as other state and federal agencies.
Coming from a long line of distinguished rabbis, Rabbi Elie Abadie is a practicing physician, the founding rabbi of the Edmond J. Safra Synagogue in Manhattan and director of the Jacob E. Safra Institute of Sephardic Studies at Yeshiva University.
Alyza Lewin, a lawyer who specializes in litigation and government relations, has spent years contributing to the American justice system. She works with her father, famed lawyer Nathan Lewin.
Originally from the Soviet Union, Phil Friedman understands the significance of freedom of religion, having been forced to learn Hebrew for his bar mitzvah in secret. In an effort to support Jewish education, his Alexander Friedman Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to five Yeshiva University students annually.
Ari Scharf is the director of Project Mesorah which is committed to educating Jewish youth about their heritage. Mr. Scharf is also the president of Franklin Exhibits which is now developing the Air Force One Museum which will tour the United States and educate young and old about the importance of democracy.
It is important that we acknowledge Jewish community leaders in a venue as high profile as the US Capitol, giving our representatives the opportunity to recognize them during Jewish American Heritage Month, said Ezra Friedlander, the coordinator of the event.
