[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 29, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO RABBI AND SARA GARSEK

                                 ______


                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 29, 1996

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rabbi Edward 
and Sara Garsek as they leave our community after more than 20 years of 
service. Since 1975, Rabbi Garsek has served as the spiritual leader of 
the Orthodox Congregation Etz Chayim in Toledo. In that capacity he has 
earned the admiration and respect of the entire Jewish community and 
beyond that all of the citizenry of our city. Through these years he 
and his wife Sara have worked lovingly and consistently to raise the 
spirituality of their extended Toledo family.
  An integral part of the Garseks' roles as rabbi and rebbetzin has 
been as teachers--filling an enormous need in our community, teaching 
audit education courses, Hebrew High School, Community Hebrew School, 
as well as Sunday religious school. The benefit of their 
professionalism is most keenly felt at the Hebrew Academy of Toledo, 
where they meet daily with their pupils. They will be long remembered 
by their students.
  Rabbi Garsek leads his congregation with a wonderful sense of 
humility, a warm sense of humor, and a passionate love of Israel--the 
People and the State. Sara is his perfect complement, a tower of 
strength in her knowledge, believe, and devotion to the words of the 
Torah. We in Toledo know them to live by the words of Hillel, ``Be of 
the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace; be one who 
loves human beings and draws them near to Torah.''
  Rabbi and Sarah Garsek came to Congregation Etz Chayim bringing with 
them three very young girls, Chaya, Esther, and Devorah. Over the 
years, they have been blessed with four more beautiful children, Zev, 
Shoahana, Rachael, and Yitzchak; a son-in-law, David; and two 
grandsons, Bentzion and Akiva.
  Rabbi and Sara Garsek will be missed, but we know their presence will 
grace their new community as it has ours.

                          ____________________