Honoring Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy and Ann Pava-Springfield Community Leaders in Service

HONORING MR. AND MRS. JEREMY AND ANN PAVA-SPRINGFIELD COMMUNITY LEADERS IN SERVICE-HON. RICHARD E. NEAL (Extensions of Remarks - February 24, 2004)

HON. RICHARD E. NEAL
OF MASSACHUSETTS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2004

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the contributions made by Mr. Jeremy Pava and Mrs. Ann Pava to the Jewish community. Over the courses of their lives, they have contributed greatly through both their service and generosity to the advancement of Jewish causes in New England.

Ann sits on the boards of both the Association of Modern Orthodox Day Schools at Yeshiva University as well as the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance. She also serves as the President of the Jewish Federation of Greater Springfield in Massachusetts. In 1999 Ms. Pava received this same Federation's Young Leadership Award.

Jeremy currently sits on the finance committee of the Heritage Academy and continues to serve as a trustee of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, as he has done since its inception. In the past, he has been the president of Congregation Kodimoh and the campaign chair for the Young Men's Division of the Jewish Federation of Greater Springfield. In 1999 he received the Kodimoh Brotherhood Humanitarian Award. At present, he also is a managing partner at Aspen Square Management, a real estate investment company in West Springfield.

Alone their actions are more than noteworthy, however, together they have given even more to the Jewish community. They are a founding family, and generous supporters, of the Hebrew High School of New England in West Hartford, which opened in 1996. Additionally, Ann was the founding President. HHNE is the only Jewish high school between New York and Boston, serving families from different observant backgrounds in Springfield, Hartford, and New Haven regardless of their financial situation.

This school has grown significantly since its inception in 1996. This burgeoning school is now pushing the limits of its current location, thanks in no small part to the work of Mr. and Mrs. Pava. They have both contributed immensely to the school's vitality and growth. As a result, they are to be honored at the Hebrew High School's first Annual Scholarship Dinner. The proceeds will go towards a new building to house the school, so that it may continue to grow and serve more members of the Jewish community in New England.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to pay tribute to two extraordinary people from the Springfield area. Their work for HHNE, Jewish education, and the Springfield community is commendable, and the standard they set for public service is outstanding. People, such as the Pavas, are what make Springfield such a wonderful place to live, and I am personally glad to share this city with them.

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