[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 9 (Monday, February 7, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E72]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO THE MOSAIC LAW CONGREGATION OF SACRAMENTO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 7, 2000

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to the Mosaic Law 
Congregation of Sacramento. On February 25-27, 2000, the Mosaic Law 
Congregation will celebrate its 100th anniversary. As the Congregation 
members gather to celebrate, I ask all of my colleagues to join with me 
in saluting this monumental achievement.
  The humble beginnings of the congregation can be traced back to the 
early twentieth century. A small group of members from B'nai Israel 
formed Chevra Torat Moshe, or Mosaic Law Fellowship. Today, they have 
grown to become the oldest conservative synagogue in Sacramento.
  On February 27, 1900, Moses Wahrhaftig and seven other families 
organized the Mosaic Law Fellowship. Mr. Wahrhaftig, a Hebrew scholar, 
chose the name for the Congregation. In its early years, religious 
services were held in various private residences or public halls.
  Sacramento's rapid growth at the time brought an influx of many 
traditional Jews form the outlying areas, and the Congregation's 
membership grew. In 1915, the Mosaic Law Congregation hired Alfred 
Arndt as its first rabbi, and in 1917, the Congregation purchased its 
first synagogue at 1418 8th Street in downtown Sacramento.
  During the period from the 1920's until the 1940's, the Mosaic Law 
Congregation underwent several key expansions. The Congregation's first 
Hebrew school was established under Rabbi Ephrim Brosin. Also during 
his tenure, the Congregation's Ladies' Society became the Mosaic Law 
Sisterhood. As expansion continued, the Congregation moved into its 
next home in 1940 at 23rd and K Street.
  The next decade brought about a tumultuous time in the life of the 
Mosaic Law Congregation. They began to struggle with the question of 
whether to affiliate with the Orthodox movement or the emerging 
Conservative movement. Under the leadership of Rabbi Marvin Bornstein, 
the Congregation finally decided to become a part of the Conservative 
Movement by joining the United Synagogue of America.
  As the years went by, the Mosaic Law Congregation continued to 
prosper and expand. When it came time for another synagogue, the 
Congregation purchased a school building at 2300 Sierra Boulevard. 
Groundbreaking for this new expansion took place in February of 1971.
  This new place of worship led to the establishment of a Community 
School under the Bureau of Jewish Education. Women began to assume 
synagogue leadership roles as officers and board members. They were 
also extended pulpit honors for the first time.
  The Mosaic Law Congregation now had momentum to expand even further. 
Membership grew rapidly, and many new families with children filled the 
Congregation with youthful exuberance. Mosaic Law members served as 
leaders of the Jewish Federation and other Sacramento communal 
organizations. Construction of the Sanctuary and the Social Hall began 
in 1974 and was completed in time for the Congregation's 75th 
Anniversary Dinner.
  Mr. Speaker, as the exceptional people of the Mosaic Law Congregation 
of Sacramento gather to celebrate their centennial anniversary, I am 
honored to pay tribute to one of Sacramento's most outstanding 
organizations. Throughout its long and storied history, the Mosaic Law 
Congregation has continued to shine in service to both the Jewish 
community and the overall community of Sacramento. I ask all my 
colleagues to join with me in wishing the Congregation continued 
success in all its future endeavors.

                          ____________________