[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 29, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E941]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RABBI BEN GORRELICK'S 90TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______


                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 29, 1996

  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a special 
person--Rabbi Benjamin Gorrelick, of Southfield.
  This week Rabbi Gorrelick will be honored on his 90th birthday for 
his service and commitment to our community.
  As Rabbi Gorrelick has said, one may retire from the pulpit, but one 
can never retire from their calling. His dedication, his loyalty, and 
his leadership are a tribute to his ability to bring people together.
  Born in Russian-dominated Poland, Rabbi Gorrelick came to America at 
age 15. Upon his arrival in New York, he enrolled in elementary school 
without knowing a word of English. After completing eight grades in 
just 18 months, he whizzed through high school and enrolled in City 
College of New York.
  After graduating from CCNY, he moved on to Harvard where he received 
a master's degree in sociology. More importantly, at Cambridge he met 
his wife, Sarah, to whom he was married for 36 years until her death in 
1975.
  Ordained as a rabbi from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1933, 
Gorrelick graduated top of his class and went to pulpits in Brooklyn, 
Cambridge, and Albany.
  During World War II, the rabbi was a U.S. Army Chaplain in Europe for 
13 months. While in Belgium, he helped support 10 Jewish orphanages 
caring for young people and children who survived Hitler. Hundreds of 
Jewish orphans were aided by his efforts.
  He came to Detroit in 1949 where he became spiritual leader of 
Congregation Beth Aron. Later, he would help build Beth Achin, serving 
the human and spiritual needs of the community.
  His leadership with national and local Jewish and civic organizations 
is evident in his long list of activities.
  Good luck and thank you for your strong moral and spiritual 
leadership, Rabbi Gorrelick. You are an inspiration to all of us. I am 
delighted to wish you well in all your endeavors.

                          ____________________