[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 93 (Monday, June 11, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN RECOGNITION OF RABBI JEROME DAVIDSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 11, 2007

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
retirement of Rabbi Jerome Davidson after nearly 50 years of dedicated 
service to the community of Great Neck, New York.
  Rabbi Jerome Davidson is no ordinary rabbi. He has successfully fused 
his life as a religious leader and a Jewish mentor together with his 
commitment to a life of civic engagement and Tikkun Olam, or repairing 
the world. Throughout his years of service, Rabbi Davidson has 
effectively transcended the walls of Temple Beth-El of Great Neck in 
Nassau County, New York, establishing himself as an inspirational 
leader for both his congregation and community.
  Jerome Davidson joined Temple Beth-El, a member congregation of the 
Union for Reform Judaism, as an assistant rabbi in 1958, and became its 
senior rabbi in 1971. Rabbi Davidson soon impressed the congregation 
with his dynamic sermons, driven enthusiasm and compelling sense of 
humor. Rabbi Davidson's brilliance and erudition were key in shaping 
the congregation's future. The educational opportunities presented by 
the Temple's comprehensive library and historical museum were central 
to Rabbi Davidson's success in teaching his congregants. Under his 
devoted tutelage, Temple Beth-El grew to become a thriving beacon of 
Jewish life in Great Neck; an arena of countless Bnai Mitzvah, 
weddings, other life-cycle events and social affairs.
  Rabbi Davidson also laid the foundations of a successful Religious 
School and Early Childhood Education Center that addressed the needs of 
the diversified and growing congregation. Rabbi Davidson's exceptional 
creativity and boundless imagination confirmed Temple Beth-El, with its 
impressive membership of over 1200 families, as one of the most 
innovative and energetic Reform congregations in America. His uncoupled 
wisdom and unbridled inspiration served as a source of strength and 
encouragement in the aftermath of a devastating fire that struck the 
Temple in 1991.
  Rabbi Davidson's steady rise to Jewish national iconography is no 
surprise considering the unique leadership qualities he demonstrated in 
serving Temple Beth-El. Rabbi Davidson's service as President of the 
Synagogue Council of America, as well as past president of the Rabbinic 
Alumni Association of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion 
only cemented Rabbi Davidson as a true Jewish leader.

  Madam Speaker, Rabbi Davidson's commitment to Reform Judaism informed 
and complemented his involvement in pluralism and social justice. Rabbi 
Davidson's multiple terms as President of the Great Neck Clergy 
Association, and his groundbreaking efforts in developing interfaith 
dialogue, have served to better the lives of those around him, 
successfully realizing his lofty goals of building a community of 
tolerance and understanding. Rabbi Davidson's exemplary interfaith 
achievements, coupled with his involvement as a founding member of the 
American Jewish World Service, led the New York Board of Rabbis to 
honor him ``Rabbi of the Year'' in 1994.
  More recently, Rabbi Davidson has been a trailblazer in formally 
welcoming the gay and lesbian community into Jewish life. He has 
likewise advocated for religious pluralism in Israel. Today, Rabbi 
Davidson continues to serve on the faculty of the Hebrew Union College-
Jewish Institute of Religion and as a member of its Board of Governors. 
Rabbi Davidson also serves on the Advisory Board of the Tanenbaum 
Center for Interreligious Understanding, and is deeply involved in a 
plethora of other local and national Jewish organizations. Rabbi 
Davidson's adept ability for translating his values into action by 
positively affecting the world around him is truly an inspiration to 
all of those whose lives he has touched.
  Madam Speaker, the accolades bestowed upon Jerome Davidson for his 
almost 50 years of outstanding service to the Long Island community are 
well deserved. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in honoring Rabbi 
Jerome Davidson for his outstanding work and wishing him many more 
years of success as he becomes Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth-El of 
Great Neck, New York.

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