The leadership of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (OU) expressed its sympathy on the passing of United States Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) earlier today.

Senator Frank Lautenberg proudly and ably served the people of the United States for decades. Sen. Lautenberg was a strong supporter of Israel and of the United States-Israel relationship, and he was on the forefront of fighting for the freedom and support of Soviet Jewry. Under his leadership, stringent standards for declaring refugee status were relaxed, which led to the emigration of tens of thousands of Soviet Jews. The OU was privileged to honor Sen. Lautenberg with our distinguished leadership award in 2000.

“The leadership of the OU extends our deep condolences and sympathy to Senator Lautenberg’s family with the traditional Jewish statement, ‘May the Omnipresent God comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.’”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)