[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 63 (Friday, May 19, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E916]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          RABBI YOSEF LIPSKER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 19, 2006

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rabbi Yosef Lipsker 
of Berks County for his service to the Jewish Community Center and 
surrounding community.
  Rabbi Lipsker was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. The Rabbi 
received his formal training at Yeshiva, New York and continued his 
education as a student Rabbi in Sydney, Australia. The Rabbi continued 
a long family tradition of dedication to faith and community.
  In 1997, the Rabbi moved his wife Chana and their seven children; 
Chaya, Seldi, Menachem, Shterna, Sholom, Zalman, and Hudi; to Reading, 
Pennsylvania. The Rabbi believes that food, faith, and fellowship bring 
a community together and invites the local community to events such as 
the Lag B'omer barbecue picnic, the Shavuot Ice Cream Party, and the 
legendary Matzah Bakery program where couples from Jewish community 
join the Rabbi on a walking tour of Brooklyn's many eateries. The Rabbi 
also organizes and holds Chanukah concerts at the Berkshire Mall and 
the Chanukah on Ice Program for the entire community. The Rabbi does 
not just bring the community together for holidays, but he uses various 
speakers and programs to facilitate interfaith dialogue.
  Teaming together with Boscov's Department Store, and the Reading 
Hospital, the Rabbi offers intercommunity relationship classes. Rabbi 
Yosef understands the importance of bringing the entire community 
together to learn more about the traditional Judaism and its role in 
everyday life. When not working in the community, the Rabbi volunteers 
at the Caron Foundation and welcomes Jewish patients at Caron, together 
with and members of the local community, to his home for weekly Shabbat 
dinners.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring Rabbi 
Yosef Lipsker for his outstanding dedication and service to Berks 
County, the Jewish Community Center, and the Caron Foundation.

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