soul

of blessed memory

continued from page 47

Remembering Congressman Joe Knollenberg

JOEL E. JACOB CONTRIBUTING WRITER

L

ast Thursday (Feb. 6), I was walk-
ing the halls of Congress when we
heard the news of Congressman Joe
Knollenberg’s passing.
Many members of Congress and I
started to reflect on the incredible legacy
that this great member of the United
States Congress left for our nation and the
State of Israel. He will be deeply missed by

many people, including world leaders.
Congressman Joe Knollenberg was a
friend to all and was the strongest advo-
cate in Washington for Seeds of Peace
(www.seedsofpeace.org), a peacebuilding
and leadership development organization
headquartered in New York City.
Each summer during his 16 years of ser-
vice as a member of Congress, Joe would

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48

February 15 • 2018

jn

meet with the bright teenagers who
participated in Seeds of Peace who Joe Knollenberg, Irving Nusbaum, Joel E. Jacob and
came from Israel, the West Bank,
Majority Leader Eric Cantor
Gaza, along with Egypt and Jordan.
Congressman Knollenberg led the
much more effective. His passion and
way, requesting financial support each
heart has made our country a better place
year for Seeds of Peace. He always was
to live for all Americans.”
joined in this effort by Sen. Carl Levin and
In remembering Congressman Joe
Sens. Joe Lieberman and John McCain,
Knollenberg, former Republican Majority
among many others in Congress.
Leader Eric Cantor told me “ If I needed
Seeds of Peace was not the only orga-
to get something done in Congress, I
nization that Joe Knollenberg supported.
could always rely on Joe to get the job
He led the way advocating congressional
done. Joe Knollenberg worked in a posi-
support for JARC, Kids Kicking Cancer,
tive way by bringing both Democrats and
Friendship Circle and the Holocaust
Republicans to consensus for the good of
Memorial Center, along with being a
all Americans.”
strong advocate for Israel.
In these times of political discord, we
As our congressman, Joe Knollenberg
need to remember the great example and
showed up with his head, heart and pas-
legacy of Congressman Joe Knollenberg.
sion to help people. Joe would always be
His memory will forever be an inspiration
available to provide assistance to people
to members of Congress on both sides of
in his district, the state of Michigan, our
the aisle. •
country and the State of Israel, about
Joel E. Jacob of West Bloomfield is the founder
which he cared deeply.
and president of the Bottle Crew and former
Sen. Bob Dole once told me that “if
International Chairman of MAZON A Jewish
every member of congress was like Joe
Response to Hunger.
Knollenberg, our Congress would be