[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E844]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               A TRIBUTE TO TEMPLE SINAI OF GLENDALE, CA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2003

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Temple Sinai in 
Glendale, California. This week, Temple Sinai celebrates its 75th 
Anniversary, marking the extraordinary history of the synagogue and its 
congregation.
  Temple Sinai was incorporated under California State Law on June 22, 
1928, as the Sinai Community Center. At that time, the fledgling 
congregation consisted of fewer than a dozen Jewish families and met in 
the Masonic Hall located above the Ralph's Grocery Store at the corner 
of Orange and Broadway in Glendale. Using various venues for its 
functions until 1939, the congregation found its first permanent home 
at 425 West Windsor Road. Ten years later, the congregation constructed 
the first segment of its current home at 1212 North Pacific Avenue, and 
it has since grown both in physical plant and congregational census.
  Today the congregation has 300 member families--including mine--of 
all ages and backgrounds, serving Jews who live in Glendale, Burbank, 
Los Angeles, La Canada, La Crescenta, Pasadena, South Pasadena, San 
Marino, and Thousand Oaks. There are 240 students in the combined 
Religious and Hebrew Schools. A larger cadre of volunteers manages the 
many opportunities for involvement in the community, from ritual and 
religious services to advisory and policy-making bodies.
  The goals of the congregation embody the values of Judaism and its 
continuity. The congregation strengthens Judaism and Jewish values 
within and among the members of the local Jewish community, provides 
strength and support to members of the community who experience tragedy 
and grief in their lives, celebrates with members of the community the 
joyous occasions of their families, provides leadership experiences for 
Jews in the community so that they can undertake leadership of the 
synagogue in the future, and educates non-Jews as to the norms and 
traditions of Judaism.
  I am proud to be able to recognize Temple Sinai for its 75 years of 
offering a place of solemn and joyous worship to the people of Glendale 
and the nearby foothill communities. My heartfelt ``Mazel Tov'' on this 
milestone. Today, Temple Sinai exemplifies the role congregations of 
every faith have within communities as a refuge for all who come to 
worship together regardless of differences. I ask all Members to join 
me in congratulating Temple Sinai for their 75 years of remarkable 
achievement and to wish Temple Sinai all the best as your congregation 
grows from strength to strength.

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