Washington – Eighteen of Washington’s finest gathered for a luncheon this past Wednesday at the United States Capitol in honor of Shuvu’s twentieth anniversary. Shuvu, the brainchild of Rav Avraham Pam, Zt’l, was created to give both a solid religious and secular education to the thousands of irreligious Russian Jewish children emigrating into Israel after the collapse of communism. Currently, Shuvu boasts a network of sixty nine schools and affiliates, educating 15,000 students.
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The luncheon, which was chaired by Shuvu Chairman Abe Biderman and was held in the prestigious Lyndon B Johnson Room located just ten feet away from the Senate Chamber, was an opportunity to pay tribute to numerous lawmakers who have been extremely supportive of the State of Israel.
The keynote address was delivered by Senator Joe Lieberman, honorary chairman of Shuvu, who also presented the Congressional US Israel Friendship Award to Brochie and Elly Kleinman, CEO of The Americare Companies and a major benefactor to Shuvu. Additionally, Senator Daniel Inouye paid tribute to philanthropist Zev Wolfson for his efforts on behalf of Shuvu.
Present at the luncheon and receiving the Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson Memorial Award were: Senator John Barrasso, M.D., Senator Christopher S. Bond, Senator Jim Bunning, Senator Robert Casey, Senator Mike Crapo, Senator Chris Dodd, Senator Daniel Inouye, Senator Mike Johanns, Senator Richard Lugar, Senator John McCain, Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Arlen Specter, Senator Ron Wyden, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, Representative Ron Klein, Representative Jean Schmidt and Representative Todd Tiahrt.
In an interview with VIN News, Ezra Friedlander, CEO of The Friedlander Group which organized the event said, “As Shuvu’s success is directly linked to late Washington Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson, sponsor of the Jackson-Vanik amendment, which was credited with pressuring the former Soviet Union to allow immigration to Israel, it seemed appropriate to express appreciation in the very place where the Jackson-Vanik amendment was passed.”
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All photos and video credit Shimon Gifter for VIN News
someone should do the same for the chasidish community.. “to give both a solid religious and secular education” I have worked with people that went trough this program. they had a better education that i received in cheder.
Shuvu should be supported by our community for the work they do in Israel. kudos to abe Biderman; elly Kleinman and the Wolfson family for their dedication!! This was an event that really expressed the tru Hakaros hatov to a geat friend of ther jewish community; Senator Henry Jackson who if my memory serves me correctly campaigned in boro Park when he ran fro president in 1976. It s pity for the the uSa and the world that he did not win!
Speeches are very pro israel indeed. I have seen the work of Shuvu in real life and I can only say keep up mitzvah going, Ellly!!!!!!!
I don’t think Rav Pam zt”l, founder of Shuvu, would be pleased with this politicizing of Shuvu. I am hereby making a strong macho’oh!
Kol Hakavod!
Mimenu Yiru V’chein Yaasu!
As a Lubavitcher who was around in the 80s, it is so heartwarming to read such beutifule news!
“Kiruv” is now “Mainstream”!!! Moshiach is definitely around the corner! Let’s all Get ready!
SHUVU does a tremendous job in educating tens of thousands of jewish children, kol hakovod to them!!
I feel its very important to have an event in the Capitol pay tribute to them !
#4 on what basis ? when joe lieberman was honored by agudah , rav miller zt”l called rav pam to issue a “machoh” because of some pro.. votes -rav pam listened bderech kavod & said ” aguda’s tafkid iz mechanech zein yidishe kinder”: un senetor lieberman tut far yiddishe kinder. ( the only time i remember the rosh objecting to poitical figures being invited was at the hachnosas sefer torah- wher the rosh wanted it kulo kvod hatorah _ & indeed mayor guliani came that motzei shabbos to show respect
this was a brilliant idea & rav pam will shep nachas from all the good will this event will produce
lastly the 2 approaches of these 2 kohanim gedolim can be understood as a machlokes rambam & raavad in hilchos tochacha – is tochacha GOAL oriented or PRINCIPAL oriented ( ayin shom)
Abe Biderman deserves a big yasher Koach for his leadership on behalf of SHUVU. Rav Pam in his wisdom picked the right person to head up this worhwhile cause. May he be continue to be an askan for the community beshlichus hagedoilem
Recently I was in Lod and i went to see the Elly Kleiman shuvu school–i can only say that i am jealous of elly for the zechusim that he merits each and every day that holy yiddisha neshumos are learning torah. may he be zocha to be build many more schools. IT WAS A BIG KIDDUSH HASHEM FOR SENATORS TO SEE THE HAKAROS HATOV TO THE USA FOR THEIR ROLE IN BRINGING OUT THE RUSSIAN JEWS!!
THANK YOU SHUVU!