[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 28, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E33]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MERRILL ALPERT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 1998

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Merrill 
Alpert, who will be honored by the United Synagogue of Conservative 
Judaism for the work she has done with teenagers throughout the Jewish 
community.
  Henry Brooks Adams wrote, ``A teacher affects eternity; he can never 
tell where his influence stops.'' For over two decades, Merrill has 
worked to enrich the lives of Jewish students. While a student at the 
Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1975, Merrill worked as the Youth 
Director of Temple Beth Ami in Reseda; then later as Youth Director of 
Congregation Beth Kodesh. In her daily interaction with the students of 
these congregations, Merrill exemplified kindness, charity and a deep 
belief in the principles of the Jewish faith. In fact, many of the 
students that Merrill worked with have proceeded to work professionally 
in the Jewish community.
  In 1986, Merrill accepted the challenging position of Youth Director 
of Valley Beth Shalom. In this capacity, she developed Camp Yoni and 
created a Summer Musical Theater Workshop. Overseeing this facet of the 
organization, Merrill has been responsible for many successful regional 
programs. Combining her hard work ethic with a deep underlying faith, 
under Merrill's guidance Valley Beth Shalom United Synagogue Youth has 
become an exemplary institution, receiving the Far West Region Chapter 
of Excellence Award on several occasions.
  In addition to her role at Valley Beth Shalom, Merrill has worked 
with several organizations to promote the ideals and principles which 
have distinguished her as a role model to Jewish teenagers within our 
community. She has served as the Chairperson of the Youth Professional 
Advisory Committee of the Jewish Federation Council (YPAC) and 
Secretary and President of the Jewish Youth Directors Association.
  Realizing the importance of training future leaders of the Jewish 
Community, Merrill has spent several summers at Camp Ramah in Ojai, as 
a Yoetzet, working with potential counselors of our children. She has 
also stayed active on other committees and sits on several school 
boards, including the Board of the Los Angeles Hebrew High School and 
the Board of Milken Community High School.
  Merrill has dedicated her career to ensuring that we provide the 
Jewish youth of our community with an enriched educational and 
spiritual experience. Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, please 
join me in paying tribute to Merrill Alpert. She is a role model for 
the citizens of our community.

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