PRINTER'S NO. 1259
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
193
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY TEPLITZ, DINNIMAN, GREENLEAF, TARTAGLIONE,
FONTANA, WILLIAMS, HUTCHINSON, RAFFERTY, COSTA, YUDICHAK,
SCHWANK, AUMENT, MENSCH AND VULAKOVICH, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Designating the week of November 29 through December 5, 2015, as
"Jewish Community Center Week" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, The Jewish Community Center Movement started in 1854
when the first Hebrew Young Men's Literary Association opened
its doors in Baltimore, Maryland, to provide support for Jewish
immigrants, help ensure Jewish continuity and provide a place
for celebration; and
WHEREAS, Similar associations opened soon after, serving as
libraries, cultural centers and settlement houses; and
WHEREAS, The first Jewish community center in Pennsylvania
was founded in 1875 in Philadelphia, now known as the Charles
and Elizabeth Gershman Y; and
WHEREAS, There are eleven Jewish community centers throughout
this Commonwealth that serve Pennsylvanians and their
surrounding communities in areas including Allentown, Altoona,
Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton,
Wyoming Valley and York; and
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WHEREAS, The eleven Jewish community centers serve more than
50,000 Pennsylvanians of all denominations each year; and
WHEREAS, Jewish community centers continue to foster the same
growth and advancement of its members as it did more than 110
years ago by offering arts and culture, English as a second
language, preschool, summer camps, sports and athletics,
programming for older adults and many other programs for all
ages, backgrounds and interests; and
WHEREAS, The year 2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the
founding of the Harrisburg Jewish Community Center; and
WHEREAS, In the 1840s, Jewish immigrants from Germany and
England settled in central Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, The Jewish settlers regularly met for Sabbath under
the leadership of Lazarus Bernhard starting in 1853; and
WHEREAS, In 1915, the Harrisburg Jewish Community Center,
then known as the Young Men's Hebrew and Kindred Association,
was founded by Leon Lowengard; and
WHEREAS, The center has been located in the same building
since 1956; and
WHEREAS, The Harrisburg Jewish Community Center and the
Jewish community centers across this Commonwealth provide a
central location that promotes unity within the community, as
well as the values of Jewish life, and serves as a cultural,
financial and physical support system for their organizations
and for their members; and
WHEREAS, The 100th anniversary celebration of the Harrisburg
Jewish Community Center will take place all year with a
celebratory event each month; and
WHEREAS, The celebration will conclude with the Big Night
event on Saturday, December 5, 2015; therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the 100th anniversary of
the Harrisburg Jewish Community Center; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the week of November 29
through December 5, 2015, as "Jewish Community Center Week" in
Pennsylvania and express congratulations and appreciation to the
Harrisburg Jewish Community Center on its 100th anniversary and
to Jewish community centers across this Commonwealth; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the Harrisburg Jewish Community Center, 3301 North Front Street,
Harrisburg, PA 17110 and to the Jewish Community Center
Association, 520 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10018.
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