[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE MARATHON JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER AND ITS RABBI 
                              GARY GREENE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 8, 2003

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
Marathon Jewish Community Center in Douglaston, New York and its new 
Rabbi Gary Greene who officially took the reins on December 7, 2003.
  The Marathon Jewish Community Center is a conservative synagogue 
which has served the communities of Douglaston, Little Neck, Bayside 
and Great Neck for more than 50 years. The facility includes a 
religious school, a junior congregation and adult education programs.
  Earlier this year, the synagogue recruited Rabbi Gary Greene from 
Temple Shalom in Framingham, Massachusetts. Prior to his service there, 
Rabbi Greene served the members of Congregation B'Nai Jacob in 
Longmeadow, Massachusetts. While at Temple Sholom, Rabbi Greene helped 
to revitalize Adult Education, and for his efforts was the recipient of 
the Solomon Schechter Award for Adult Education. Among other 
accomplishments, Rabbi Greene has expanded the social and cultural 
programs of the Temple and introduced services and rituals, including 
Selichot, Tashlich, Healing Services and Meditation Services.
  Rabbi Greene has also dedicated himself to teaching. Over the years, 
he has educated and enlightened thousands of children and adults. He 
taught most grades at the former United Hebrew School and served on its 
Board of Directors, Education Committee and Rabbis' Committee. He was 
instrumental in the creation of B'nai Jacob's Hebrew School and the 
B'yachad Hebrew High School. Rabbi Green has served on its Board of 
Directors, Education Committee and as the Co-Chair of the Education 
Committee in charge of Judaic programming. Rabbi Greene also served as 
a teacher and adviser to Camp Ramah in Palmer, Massachusetts.
  Rabbi Green also served as the Jewish chaplain for students at 
Westfield State College in Westfield and Bay Path College in 
Longmeadow. He was also an active member of the Longmeadow Clergy 
Association as well as the Interfaith Council of Western Massachusetts.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues in the House of Representatives 
to join me now in congratulating Rabbi Gary Greene and the Marathon 
Jewish Center for their service to the community. I am confident that 
the Marathon Jewish Center will continue to enrich the lives of its 
congregants for many years to come.

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