[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 142 (Tuesday, September 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1734]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         RABBI STANLEY HALPERN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 9, 2008

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, It is with great pleasure and 
admiration that I congratulate Rabbi Stanley Halpern as he celebrates a 
milestone, his 20th anniversary as Rabbi at Temple Israel in Gary, IN. 
Throughout his years of service at Temple Israel, Rabbi Halpern has 
been one of northwest Indiana's most dedicated and distinguished 
citizens. The people of northwest Indiana have certainly been rewarded 
by the service and uncompromising loyalty he has displayed to the 
parish and the entire community, and for his outstanding efforts, he 
was recognized at a dinner in his honor at Sand Creek Country Club in 
Chesterton, IN, on September 6, 2008. As part of the celebration, a 
very special Shabbat service also took place the previous night.
  Stanley Halpern was born and raised in Spokane, WA, where he received 
an intensive Jewish education at Keneseth Israel Synagogue. Following 
his graduation from Lewis & Clark High School, he went on to receive 
his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Washington, 
where his studies were focused on Philosophy and Near Eastern Languages 
and Literature. He also served as Scholar in Residence at Dropsie 
College in Philadelphia, PA. Following his ordination, Rabbi Halpern 
spent the next ten years focusing on fundraising and Jewish educational 
work as the Executive Director of the Bureau of Jewish Education in 
Sacramento. Finally, in 1988, Rabbi Halpern settled into his first 
pulpit, Temple Israel in Gary, IN, where he has served since 1988.
  Temple Israel's long tradition of dedication to social justice and 
active involvement in the life of northwest Indiana was a perfect fit 
for Rabbi Halpern's commitment to Tikkun Olan, the obligation in 
Judaism of each individual to do all they can for the healing of the 
world.
  Under Rabbi Halpern's leadership, the people of Temple Israel have 
involved themselves in a myriad of social and community projects, 
including: the Open Housing Center of Northwest Indiana, the Interfaith 
Clergy Council of Gary, and Muslim/Jewish Dialogue--Breaking Down 
Barriers by Breaking Bread Together. Temple Israel has also played a 
major role in assisting local veterans by teaching skills to prepare 
them for re-entry into the workforce. Through Rabbi Halpern's 
involvement with Hospice, the Bio-Ethics Committee of Community 
Hospital, and AIDS awareness, they have also been very active in 
Northwest Indiana's health care community, and they have been 
outstanding advocates in the fight against domestic abuse through their 
efforts with the Domestic Relations Counseling Bureau of Lake County. 
With a focus on doing what is right, Rabbi Halpern and Temple Israel 
have remained active in these causes, all while continuing to prosper 
in the building of a vibrant Jewish community in northwest Indiana.
  Rabbi Halpern and his wife, Carol, reside in Portage, IN. They are 
the proud parents of one daughter, who also resides in Portage, and 
Carol's son, who resides in the Boston, MA, area.
  Madam Speaker, northwest Indiana is a better place because of the 
tireless service of people like Rabbi Halpern. He is a man who has 
dedicated himself to serving others. I ask that you and my other 
distinguished colleagues join me in commending Rabbi Halpern for his 
many years of enduring service and the unforgettable effect he has had 
on the people of Temple Israel, as well as the entire northwest Indiana 
community, and I ask that you join me in congratulating him on this 
impressive milestone.

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