Velazquez’s New Bill Awards Congressional Gold Medal to Rabbi Michoel Ber Weissmandl

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has introduced a bill to posthumously award a Congressional gold medal to Rabbi Michoel Ber Weissmandl, a testament to his heroic legacy of protecting the Jewish people during the Holocaust.

"At a time when the stakes could not have been higher, Rabbi Weissmandl took brave risks, ultimately saving lives," said Rep. Velázquez. "It is with the utmost respect that I've introduced a bill to award him with a Congressional gold medal—the highest civilian award in the United States."

During World War II, Weissmandl was responsible for numerous acts to save the Jewish people of Slovakia from the Nazi regime. Forming an underground organization called the "Working Group", Weissmandl led an effort to bribe German officials, ultimately succeeding to delay mass deportations. He also helped plan the bombing of railroad tunnels transporting Jewish people to concentration camps.

During a time when Slovakian officials sent the message that Jewish people were being deported for "resettlement", Weissmandl was the first to tell the Working Group that they were actually being murdered.

In 1945, Weissmandl reached the shores of America, ultimately settling in New York. Wasting no time, he immediately started working to better the lives of Holocaust survivors. To do so, Weissmandl established a home for survivors and the Yishiva of Nitra in Mount Kisco, New York, the first Yeshiva campus in America. Weissmandl is also credited with spearheading the now flourishing communities of Talmudic scholars in New York and across America.

"A pioneer in the Jewish community of New York, Rabbi Weissmandl's contributions to the city carry an unwavering legacy of strength and resilience," said Rep. Velázquez. "We must never forget the monumental risk and bravery displayed by a life dedicated to fighting intolerance and extremism."

###