[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 12, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF RABBI SIDNEY KLEIMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 11, 2003

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to Rabbi 
Sidney Kleiman on the occasion of his 90th birthday. Both a scholar and 
a vigorous leader, Rabbi Kleiman inspires his community and 
congregation with his pious dedication and moving sermons.
  With the longest active tenure of service in the same synagogue of 
any living rabbi, Rabbi Kleiman, has been serving New York City's 
historic Congregation Talmud Torah Adereth El for over 60 years. First 
as Rabbi from 1939-1999, he now serves as Rabbi Emeritus since 2000.
  Rabbi Kleiman tells the story of how he became rabbi of Adareth El. 
``In 1939, I was Rabbi of the Jewish Center of Violet Park [in Bronx]. 
A Mr. Finkel, of blessed memory, was a member of my shul and also a 
member of the 29th Street shul. He noticed that I left every morning to 
go down to Henry Street on the lower east side, to take my children to 
school in the yeshiva, and that I would go back every afternoon to pick 
them up. Mr. Finkel said to me, ``Rabbi, you can't keep this up! You 
will not last, it is too much for you. There is an excellent 
opportunity, the 29th Street shul is looking for a Rabbi. The position 
would be perfect for you.'' Rabbi Kleiman was happy in his current 
position, but Mr. Finkel persisted. Rabbi Kleiman agreed to preach a 
sermon one Shabbos, with the understanding that he was not applying for 
the position of Rabbi.
  He recounts, ``The Saturday I preached was the week that Britain's 
Prime Minister Chamberlain had held his now infamous meeting with 
Hitler in Munich. When Chamberlain returned to 10 Downing Street, it 
was a rainy day. He opened up his umbrella and declared to the world: 
Peace in our time! The title of the sermon I preached that Shabbos was 
Peace Not in Our Times.'' Rabbi Kleiman explains that Chamberlain 
should have known from his meeting that Hitler was out to destroy the 
Jewish people and their rich culture. In the pacifist and isolationist 
climate of the United States during that time, the Rabbi stressed that 
the prestige of the Jewish people and their leaders had to be raised. 
In his words, ``The congregation said that if this Rabbi is crazy 
enough to deliver this kind of sermon when America is so isolationist 
and pacifistic, let's elect him for six months and then fire him. And 
so it was. Every six months I was fired and re-hired. And that's how I 
lasted 60 years!''
  And after fifty years as Rabbi, the Board of Trustees at Adereth El 
asked him if he would consider retiring. He said, ``No Way!'' He told 
them that his mother lived to 104 and was alert to the last day and he 
expects to outlive her. Currently, after 60 years of outstanding 
service and leadership, Rabbi Kleiman has been given the new honor and 
title of Rabbi Emeritus, which he expects to be for at least another 
fifty years.
  Congregation Talmud Torah Adereth El, founded in 1857, has the 
distinction of being the only Jewish congregation in New York City to 
have worshipped for more than 140 years on the same site. Since 1863, 
Adereth El has been located on East 29th Street. The original design 
and integrity of the synagogue's simple and dignified interior has been 
substantially unaltered. Today, the congregation continues to provide a 
spiritual home to over 150 New York City families. The contributions of 
Congregation Talmud Torah Adereth El have touched many lives by 
providing spiritual guidance as well as fostering an enduring spirit of 
community. This spirit of giving is epitomized by the dedication and 
selflessness exhibited by Rabbi Kleiman.
  For his unwavering dedication to his community and congregation, 
Rabbi Kleiman will forever remain a prominent and lasting community and 
spiritual leader.
  In recognition of Rabbi Kleiman's lifetime of service and leadership 
of Congregation Talmud Torah Adereth El, I ask that my colleagues join 
me in saluting Rabbi Kleiman and the congregation on his 90th birthday 
celebration.




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