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The Jewish community of Washington, D.C., located in the political nexus of the United States, has often enjoyed attention from people of every level of influence, including the president of the United States. On May 3, 1925, Calvin Coolidge attended the cornerstone laying ceremony of the Washington Jewish Community Center. Herbert Hoover, as a former president, was vocal in his denunciation of Nazi Germany's treatment of the Jews. His voice garnered the support of many United States senators in 1943, including two from Maryland and one from Virginia. Ronald Reagan sent his personal regards to the Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah Congregation on their 100th anniversary celebration on April 10, 1986.
About the author
Dr. Martin Garfinkle, an associate professor at New York City College of Technology (CUNY), has collected nearly 200 images for this informative and engaging collection. Although Dr. Garfinkle currently resides on Staten Island, he considers himself a native Washingtonian. His great-grandfather Morris Garfinkle was the founder of many Jewish organizations and institutions that exist and thrive in Washington, D.C. to this day. The Jewish Community of Washington, D.C., was written with the help and support of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington.
