[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 78 (Thursday, May 27, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO DR. AARON S. GOLD: RABBI, TEACHER, SCHOLAR, SPIRITUAL LEADER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 27, 1999

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to congratulate 
Rabbi Dr. Aaron S. Gold on his retirement after serving the Rabbinate 
for 50 years, and for his dedication and service to the San Diego 
community. Rabbi Gold has been a spiritual and community leader to many 
individuals in San Diego--and I would like to take a moment to honor 
him and his accomplishments.
  Rabbi Gold was born in Poland and came to America during the 
depression years, prior to World War II. He graduated from Wisconsin 
State College with Highest Honors in the English and Speech 
Departments. He later received his M.A. from Columbia University where 
he studied Education for Marriage and Family Life, and later completed 
his Ph.D in Family Education.
  Rabbi Gold came to San Diego in 1974, and immediately became an 
active community leader. He was invited to join the boards of the 
United Jewish Federation, Jewish Community Relations Council and the 
Bureau of Jewish Education. He is particularly known for his work in 
promoting spiritual harmony and understanding among all religions, and 
has been active with the National Conference of Christians and Jews and 
the Ecumenical Council. He has also appeared on a number of radio and 
television shows to promote interfaith activities.
  His initiation of a joint Thanksgiving Service with the San Carlos 
United Methodist Church was so successful that it became the annual 
Thanksgiving service for the Tifereth and many churches of the Navajo 
Interfaith Association--he is lovingly called ``our Rabbi'' by the 
members of the San Carlos United Methodist Church. His ecumenical 
efforts have been recognized with a number of plaques and citations.
  Rabbi Gold has also reached out to the youth in our community by 
helping establish the Coalition for the Jewish Youth for San Diego, San 
Diego Jewish Academy and the Community High School of Jewish Studies.
  He also served as the President of the San Diego Rabbinical 
Association for two years, and he and his wife Jeanne were Rabbinic 
Couple for Jewish Encounter weekend in the San Diego area, where they 
helped 1,000 couples enhance theirs and their childrens' lives.
  In addition to his many contributions to the San Diego community, he 
has served our country as the Chaplain for Suffolk County Air Force 
Base in Long Island; Cancer patients in Long Island; the Boy Scouts 
Councils in Wisconsin, Long Island, Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania; and 
Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.
  Rabbi Gold has had an amazing life and an incredible career. He has 
touched the lives of many people and has served our country well. I 
congratulate Rabbi Gold on all of his accomplishments and wish him the 
best in his retirement.

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