[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 73 (Friday, June 9, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1105]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO RABBI BRAD BLOOM

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                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 9, 2006

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to honor Rabbi 
Brad Bloom, the Senior Rabbi at B'nai Israel since 1995, who is leaving 
this week for a new pulpit after a distinguished professional career 
here in Sacramento. As his friends, family and coworkers all gather to 
celebrate his farewell, I ask all my colleagues to join in honoring his 
community leadership and many remarkable accomplishments.
  After Rabbi Bloom completed his BA in History from the University of 
Wisconsin and his Master's in Social Work from the University of 
Maryland, he realized his calling in life: the rabbinate. He began his 
career by serving as the Associate Rabbi at Congregation Beth Am in Los 
Altos Hills.
  Following his service with the Congregation, Rabbi Bloom was 
Associate Rabbi at the Sinai Temple of Champaign-Urbana in Illinois. In 
1995 he became the Senior Rabbi at Congregation B'nai Israel, where he 
has served with distinction for the past 11 years.
  Rabbi Bloom has been a strong leader for B'nai Israel. He guided a 
devastated congregation and the greater Sacramento community through 
one of its darkest hours in June of 1999, when arsonists attacked three 
of Sacramento's synagogues, including his own.
  Rabbi Bloom's calm, uniting voice emerged from the dense fog of hate 
and fear in the weeks and months following the attacks. He revived the 
community's spirits and helped bring forward a united front against 
hate. In order to build a dialogue, he helped create the Children of 
Abraham group, which brings together clergy and congregants of Muslim, 
Jewish and Christian faiths. And under his leadership, the synagogue 
opened its door to gay and lesbian Jews to perform commitment 
ceremonies inside the sanctuary.
  Through it all Rabbi Bloom has been dedicated to cultivating a strong 
and thriving Jewish community. With his gifts as a teacher, he has 
shown a commitment to life-long learning and instilling that value in 
others. He has led adult education groups, including Talmud classes, 
Kabbalah courses and a women's book group. These unique programs have 
helped educate and unite the Jewish community.
  Since 1995, Rabbi Bloom has been a strong voice for B'nai Israel, and 
helped foster compassion and understanding throughout our community. On 
behalf of the people of Sacramento and the Fifth Congressional District 
of California, I ask all my colleagues to join me in thanking Rabbi 
Brad Bloom for his public service as we wish him success in his future 
endeavors.




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