[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 11 (Friday, January 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF RABBI WILLIAM ABRAHAM GREENEBAUM II ON HIS 50TH YEAR 
                               AS A RABBI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 19, 2007

  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the achievements of 
Rabbi William A. Greenebaum of Monterey County, CA, who is celebrating 
50 years in the Rabbinate. From the American Civil Rights movement to 
the Allocations Panel for United Way, Rabbi Greenebaum has spent his 
days working to improve the lives and spirits of the elderly, the 
powerless, and the poor.
  Rabbi Greenebaum was born in Philadelphia to a rabbinical family that 
included a grandfather and great uncle who held prominent positions in 
the Jewish community. Rabbi Greenebaum received his bachelor's degree 
in Ancient and Medieval History from the University of Cincinnati in 
1948, and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in Hebrew Letters as 
well as a Doctor of Divinity Honorus Causa from the Hebrew Union 
College in 1957.
  Shortly after his ordination as a rabbi from the Hebrew Union College 
in Cincinnati, Rabbi Greenebaum enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and 
served as Jewish Chaplain for two years in San Antonio, Texas. After 
his military service, he served in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as Assistant 
Rabbi, led Congregation Beth Torah in their efforts to build a 
synagogue in Prairie Village/Overland Park, Kansas, served as Rabbi in 
Flint, Michigan, and also in Fremont, California, where he met Nancy, 
his wonderful wife of 35 years.
  In 1972, Rabbi Greenebaum enlisted in the active duty U.S. Army and 
served as Chaplain in Columbia, South Carolina, Heidelberg, Germany, 
and Monterey, California. After his retirement in 1990, he continued to 
serve as a civilian chaplain to the Jewish military community in the 
Monterey Bay region until 2001.
  Since his retirement in 1990, Rabbi Greenebaum has continued to serve 
the Monterey Bay Area full time; as a member of the Board of Directors 
and substitute rabbi for Congregation Beth Israel in Carmel Valley; 
interim rabbi for Temple Beth El in Salinas, California; as Assistant 
District Commissioner for the Boy Scouts of America; as a Monterey 
County Civil Grand Juror; and as a member of the distinguished 
Allocations Panel for the Monterey County chapter of the United Way. 
Rabbi Greenebaum also spends many hours visiting the sick, elderly, and 
others in his community who are in need of spiritual comfort.
  In the 1960's, Rabbi Greenebaum met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when 
they both addressed the National Bar Association Convention in 
Milwaukee. In 1969, he was appointed Chairman of the Flint, Michigan, 
Human Relations Commission and served as President of the Flint 
Ministerial Association. He served as volunteer Jewish Chaplain at the 
Kansas State Prison and at the Federal Penitentiary in Leavenworth. In 
1962, the mayor of Kansas City appointed Rabbi Greenebaum to the Cuban 
Refugee Committee where he helped the city prepare for and welcome more 
than one hundred Cuban refugees to Missouri.
  The principle of Tikkun Olam, ``world repair'' through social action 
and justice, has guided the actions of Rabbi Greenebaum throughout his 
life. As a prominent community leader, human rights activist, and 
helping friend, he has given countless hours, tears, and moments of 
laughter to many who would otherwise have suffered alone, while 
building religious and civil institutions to support spiritual values 
and integrity in every sphere of our community lives.
  Madam Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in honoring 
Rabbi William A. Greenebaum for more than fifty years of outstanding 
dedication and public service. His deeds are a strong example and 
inspiration to us all.