[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 15, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 15, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 A SPECIAL SALUTE TO RABBI BRUCE ABRAMS

                                 ______


                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 15, 1994

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to salute an 
outstanding resident of my congressional district, Rabbi Bruce Abrams. 
On Friday, March 18, 1994, the congregation of Temple Ner Tamid, which 
is located in Euclid, OH, will honor Rabbi Abrams for 13 years of 
service to the temple. I take special pride in joining friends, family 
and community leaders in this special tribute to Rabbi Abrams. I want 
to share with my colleagues and the Nation some important information 
concerning this extraordinary individual.
  Mr. Speaker, Rabbi Abrams was ordained at Hebrew Union College in 
Cincinnati. His first pulpit was in Skokie, Il. It is interesting to 
note that he served there during the turbulent years of the Nazi march 
through Skokie. Rabbi Abrams came to Temple Ner Tamid during the late 
summer of 1981. As he celebrates his Bar Mitzvah year of service, Rabbi 
Abrams can reflect upon an impressive list of accomplishments.
  When Rabbi Abrams began serving the Ner Tamid congregation, the 
membership was approximately 110 families. Today the congregation 
membership has risen to over 300 families. In addition, the religious 
school has quadrupled in size and is now operating at two sites, with 
the recent historic opening of a Cleveland Heights branch facility.
  Throughout his career, Rabbi Abrams has demonstrated his commitment 
to Jewish survival, and to peace and social justice. He has also 
maintained a strong devotion to meeting the needs of the disadvantaged.
  Due to Rabbi Abrams' efforts, Temple Ner Tamid has been the past 
recipient of the Mayor's Award for Volunteerism for its work with 
Project Hunger. For 12 years, the temple has worked closely with Saint 
Aloysius Catholic Church. The joint work of the two congregations has 
served the needs of over 100,000 hungry people. In addition, Temple Ner 
Tamid has a hot meals program with Morningstar Baptist Church, as well 
as a hunger program within the Euclid community. Temple Ner Tamid is 
also the first Temple in Cleveland to host an Alcoholic's Anonymous 
group. The temple also conducts an active adult education program.
  Mr. Speaker, I read with interest an article which appeared early 
this week in the Plain Dealer newspaper. In the article entitled, 
``Euclid Rabbi Crosses the Boundaries of Faith,'' it is noted that, at 
the invitation of Imam Clyde Rahman, Rabbi Abrams joined Moslem 
worshipers at Masjid Bilal at the close of Ramadan to pray for peace 
and reconciliation. It is believed to be the first time that a rabbi 
has said prayers in an Islamic place of worship at the close of the 
holy month of fasting. It is indeed this type of leadership, commitment 
to peace, and compassion for humanity that has earned Rabbi Abrams the 
respect and admiration of the Cleveland community.
  Along with his temple duties, Rabbi Abrams plays an integral role in 
a number of interfaith clergy and community organizations throughout 
the greater Cleveland area. He is a member of the East Side Interfaith 
Ministry, the Interfaith Clergy Association of Cleveland, the Cleveland 
Board of Rabbis, and the Union of American Hebrew Congregations Social 
Action Committee. His memberships also include the Greater Cleveland 
Growth Association, the Anti-Defamation League Black/Jewish Relations 
Committee, the City Club of Cleveland, AIDS Housing Council, and 
Project Learn.
  Rabbi Abrams is married to Sarah Littlefield Abrams, who serves as 
president of Townsend Learning Centers of Chagrin Falls, OH. The Abrams 
reside in Cleveland Heights where they are the proud parents of two 
children, Jessica and David.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to salute Rabbi Abrams. I join the Temple Ner 
Tamid Congregation and others in expressing our appreciation for his 
tireless efforts on behalf of our community and the Nation. I extend my 
best regards on the celebration of his anniversary, and wish him much 
continued success.

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