[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 131 (Friday, September 26, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1873-E1874]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING RABBI BERTRAM KORN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JON D. FOX

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 26, 1997

  Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a man 
who, in his all-too-brief 60 years of life, accomplished more than most 
could in three lifetimes. Rabbi Bertram W. Korn was a man of deep 
faith, a devoted family man, a heroic military officer, and a community 
leader in the 13th Congressional District of Pennsylvania.
  Rabbi Korn served Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park, 
PA, as its senior rabbi from 1949 until his death in 1979. During that 
period, Keneseth Israel grew to become the largest synagogue in the 
Delaware Valley and a keystone of the religious community of Montgomery 
County, PA. He was the first senior rabbi to be educated, Bar 
Mitzvahed, and confirmed at the synagogue he led for so many years.
  Mr. Speaker, Rabbi Korn was a dynamic and energetic leader who was 
known for his charismatic leadership and a catalyst for progressive 
change. He was entirely devoted to his congregation and would be there 
for them at important events throughout their lives. While his title 
comes from the Hebrew rabbi, meaning ``my master,'' Bertram Korn spent 
his life in service to the congregation of Keneseth Israel.
  Rabbi Korn was a trailblazer, patriot, and military leader. Since 
World War II, he faithfully served the U.S. Navy becoming the first 
Jewish admiral in the Naval chaplaincy. He was a scholar, historian, 
and humanitarian with numerous books and writings to his credit.
  Now, the congregation he loved and served so conscientiously will 
honor him by dedicating its sanctuary to Rabbi Korn's memory at Shabbat 
services this evening. Mr. Speaker, in Judaism, the sanctuary is the 
spiritual center of our synagogue and it is fitting that Keneseth 
Israel is dedicating their sanctuary to Rabbi Korn because for them, he 
was their spiritual center for many years and his memory and influence 
still lingers. The sanctuary is where our families gather for prayer 
and where we keep the Torah, which contains the entire body of Jewish 
religious law and learning including sacred literature and oral 
tradition. Rabbi Korn exemplified what is best about the family and the 
power of prayer for generations of our people.
  Leading tonight's ceremonies will be Keneseth Israel's new senior 
rabbi, Bradley Bleefeld as well as Rabbi Aaron Landes of Beth Shalom 
Congregation. Rabbi Landes was both a rabbinical and Navy colleague of 
Rabbi Korn and will be the featured speaker and will be followed by 
Charles Pollack, head of the Bertram Korn Memorial Committee.
  At the end of the service there will be two dedications. The first is 
a dedication of a mezuzah commissioned by the Korn family including his 
sister, Jean, and his two children, Bertram Jr., and Judy. A mezuzah is 
a copy of the Hebrew text of Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 1:13-21 in a 
container marked with the word Shaddai, the name of God. Rabbi Korn's 
son, Bertram W. Korn Jr., is the executive editor of the Jewish 
Exponent newspaper in Philadelphia. The second dedication will be the 
dedication of the sanctuary.
  In association with this celebration, Temple Judea Museum of Keneseth 
Israel is opening a display of artifacts honoring Rabbi Korn to 
coincide with the dedications. In the entire 150-year history of the 
synagogue, there have only been seven rabbis. Of all of them, Rabbi 
Korn, is noted for having 13 or 14 of his students go onto rabbinical 
college.
  E. Harris Baum, current president of Keneseth Israel, said that part 
of this celebration is designed to introduce a new generation of young 
Jews to the legacy of a great rabbi and to rekindle interest in his 
intellectual work and all that he gave to Reform Judaism. Mr. Baum said 
the message he received from Rabbi Korn was that each individual in the 
world has a responsibility to the other--not just Jews, but to all 
human beings.
  Recently, Mr. Speaker, we honored Mother Teresa of Calcutta for 
similar reasons. Both of these individuals recognized that human 
kindness and our obligation to care for each other should not be 
limited by national origins or differences in religious practice. 
Compassion for each other is something that can bring the world's 
religious together just as Rabbi Korn's humanity pulled the families of 
his synagogue

[[Page E1874]]

together in prayer and caring. His positive impact as a rabbi was felt 
all over the United States.
  Rabbi Korn believed in the vibrancy of Judaism and believed it to be 
an empowering, energizing force for human growth and development. He 
not only preached this belief, he incorporated into his daily life and 
urged his congregation and others across the United States to do the 
same. As example of his self-sacrificing dedication to humanity, Mr. 
Speaker, his daughter has spoken of times when he was sick and would 
have to go to the hospital for dialysis in the morning. Following this 
fatiguing treatment, instead of going home to rest, he would spend his 
time visiting patients throughout the hospital. During his entire life, 
Rabbi Korn put others before himself and his own needs. Now, his 
congregation and the entire reformed movement can admire his legacy and 
have the chance to say ``thank you.''
  So, Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to rise to pay tribute to beloved 
Rabbi Bertram W. Korn and I join with his family, friends, 
congregation, and the entire Delaware Valley community to salute him 
and offer our gratitude for a lifetime of service.

                          ____________________