[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 141 (Monday, October 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO THE B'NAI ISRAEL CONGREGATION OF SACRAMENTO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 18, 1999

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to the B'nai Israel 
Congregation of Sacramento. This year, the congregation will be 
celebrating its 150th year anniversary. As the members gather together 
to celebrate, I ask all my colleagues to join with me in saluting this 
commendable achievement.
  B'nai Israel's humble beginning can be traced back to the ``Gold 
Rush'' days of 1849, when shop owners and crafts people gathered to 
celebrate the High Holy Days in Old Sacramento. Among these people was 
Moses Hyman, who invited fellow Jews into his Front Street home. Later, 
Hyman became known as both a pioneer of California Judaism and the 
father of Temple B'nai Israel.
  A fire swept through Sacramento just two months after Hyman helped 
dedicate the congregation's first synagogue in 1852. The fire destroyed 
the chapel as well as 85 percent of the city. However, Congregation 
B'nai Israel persevered. In 1858, the congregation purchased another 
place of worship from the Methodist Episcopalian group, which had been 
built on the same property as the congregation's first chapel. 
Unfortunately, nature continued to conspire against B'nai Israel. After 
another fire and floods that destroyed the synagogue, the congregation 
established its third permanent home in a former concert hall for the 
First Presbyterian Church in Sacramento.
  Here, B'nai Israel continued to grow and thrive for decades until the 
split of Orthodox and Reformed Jews in the early twentieth century. 
This split, however, only served to strengthen the congregation. 
Touting itself as a congregation of ``Reformed Israelites,'' 
Congregation B'nai Israel had grown in size to over 107 families. Their 
new home, on Fifteenth Street in Sacramento, served as B'nai Israel's 
religious home for over 30 years.
  In an effort to expand the congregation, President Dalton Feinstein 
successfully promoted the idea of relocating to the present temple site 
at 3600 Riverside Boulevard. To make this dream a reality, a major 
fund-raising campaign was successfully launched. The new temple was 
finally dedicated in 1954, thanks to the dedication of volunteers who 
raised money and found others to donate materials. An education wing, 
named after Buddy Kandel, was added in the early 1960's.
  Throughout the years, the congregation has been involved in several 
community services and causes. Such involvement includes demonstrations 
against pogroms after World War I, organizing institutes for Christian 
clergy members to improve Judeo-Christian understanding, and conducting 
services at Folsom State Prison.
  Rabbi Lester Frazi, who took over the pulpit in January 1974 and 
remained over 20 years, continued the B'nai Israel tradition of service 
to the greater Sacramento area. In addition to serving as president of 
the Interfaith Service Bureau, his areas of focus included helping 
pregnant teenagers, feeding the hungry, and supporting the gay and 
lesbian community.
  In 1995, Rabbi Brad Bloom was installed as Rabbi Frazi's replacement. 
Under this leadership, the congregation has been involved in several 
areas, including Shabbat food deliveries to people with AIDS, Mitzvah 
Day, children's book collections, High Holy Day food donations to the 
Sacramento Food Basket, and more.
  On June 18, 1999, arson fires were set at B'nai Israel, Kenesset 
Israel Torah Center, and Beth Shalom. Despite this horrifying act, the 
congregation has remained strong. In addition, support from the 
community during this time of trial has been overwhelming. On June 21 
at the Sacramento Community Center, over 4,000 people joined in a Unity 
Rally in a show of solidarity. At the rally, patrons were greeted with 
signs bearing the sentiment, ``We are strong. We are proud. We are 
together.'' Despite its many tragedies in its existence, B'nai Israel 
has grown stronger and stronger.
  Mr. Speaker, as the members of the B'nai Israel Congregation gather 
to celebrate their 150th anniversary, I am honored to pay tribute to 
one of Sacramento's most exceptional organizations. Concerning their 
trials, the perseverance and dedication of this congregation are 
particularly incredible. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in 
wishing B'nai Israel continued success in all its future endeavors.

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