[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 28, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E690]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         B'NAI SHOLOM CONGREGATION CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY

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                        HON. WILLIAM L. JENKINS

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 28, 2004

  Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to request that the House join 
me in recognizing the centennial celebration of the B'Nai Sholom 
Congregation, located in Blountville, Tennessee.
  Since the turn of the 20th century, members of the Jewish community 
in Upper East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia have been meeting 
together to celebrate and worship. In 1904, the B'Nai Sholom 
Congregation was founded, and its earliest members worshipped in 
Bristol until 1957, when the congregation moved to its current home in 
Blountville.
  B'Nai Sholom means ``sons of peace,'' and the congregation has grown 
over the years as the region has developed. With the diversity of our 
region, and the makeup of the synagogue's membership changing over the 
years, B'Nai Sholom has developed a variety of ideological practices. 
The strength of the congregation comes through its unity in faith and 
the Jewish heritage.
  Today, B'Nai Sholom continues to be the center of worship for the 
Jewish community in the region. It continues to be successful because 
of the hard work, dedication, and spirit of the families who make up 
the congregation today. They carry on the fine traditions of the 
wonderful people who started the congregation many years ago, mindful 
of the importance of having a center of worship where families can join 
to celebrate, learn, and worship.
  B'Nai Sholom is certainly worthy of our praise as they celebrate 
their centennial year in 2004. The congregation is a credit to our 
district in East Tennessee and to the Jewish community throughout the 
world. I know that the Members of the House will join with me in 
congratulating B'Nai Sholom on its 100th anniversary and wish them 
continued success and prosperity for many years to come.




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