congressional_record: CREC-1994-10-08-pt1-PgE46
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| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
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| CREC-1994-10-08-pt1-PgE46 | 1994-10-08 | 103 | 2 | GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY OF BETH CHAVERIM, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | HOUSE | EXTENSIONS | FRONTMATTER | E | E | [{"name": "Owen B. Pickett", "role": "speaking"}] | 140 Cong. Rec. E | Congressional Record, Volume 140 Issue 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994) [Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [Congressional Record: October 8, 1994] From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY OF BETH CHAVERIM, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA ______ HON. OWEN B. PICKETT of virginia in the house of representatives Friday, October 7, 1994 Mr. PICKETT. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure I share with my distinguished colleagues the comments of Rabbi Israel Zoberman at the Groundbreaking Ceremony of Beth Chaverim, the Reform Jewish Congregation of Virginia Beach, VA, held September 18, 1994. Our God, Our Guide, Our Glory, Cherished Friends and Distinguished Guests, ``Indeed, this is the beautiful day the Lord has made for us, let us rejoice in it.'' Our cup of joy runneth over as we have gathered at this sacred season on our land of promise, this field of dreams, to give thanks for having reached a historic milestone. This significant celebration has been made possible through the heroic spirit of our beloved Beth Chaverim that has grown from a few visionary and courageous souls, 12 years ago, to a proud congregation of about 250 family units. We are here due to the steadfast and zealous labor of love of its members along with the extraordinary welcome and generosity of the remarkable Church of the Ascension that has been our loving home for the past 9 years, allowing us to flourish. The unique and incredible interfaith drama which since 1986 is the only such between Catholics and Jews anywhere, has received local, national, and international attention, adding to the noble cause of shalom in a changing world. I remain the grateful rabbi of 1,300 Catholic families, an increase of 500 since our arrival. Father Bill Dale watched over us so very devotedly all this time and Father Jim Parke, who replaced him recently, continues so tenderly to befriend us. Thank you Bishop Sullivan, who wanted but could not be with us today, for all you have meant to us. What an understanding landlord we have in you. We pledge not to forget a kindness that comes from deep within the heart. Together we shall build upon our common bond, allies in the divine pursuit to create a better world, offering the gift of healing, wholeness and harmony. Standing before you in awe and trembling is the son of the saved remnant of European Jewry, born in Kazakhstan to Polish Holocaust survivors, living his tender years in a German Displaced Persons Camp and proudly raised in the State of Israel, our Zion restored. I confess to my profound conviction that the God of our martyred people led met to be the founding rabbi of a new synagogue in a generation that has witnessed both our people's demise and rebirth. Beth Chaverim was led into the heart of our beloved city of Virginia Beach to grow with it on these precious American shores of freedom and hope for humanity. It is good to be in a friendly neighborhood. All we seek is to be a blessing; unto ourselves and unto the gracious Jewish and general community of Hampton Roads. Without Jennifer, my faithful helpmate for 25 years, and our children Rachel and Harel, I would'nt have come thus far. ``We praise You O Lord our God, master of the universe, who has kept us alive, has sustained and enabled us to reach this miraculous occasion.'' Let us say Amen. ____________________ |