[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 14, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE LIFE, ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND JOY OF RABBI JOSEPH GITIN

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                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 2010

  Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
the life, accomplishments and joy of Rabbi Joseph Gitin who recently 
passed away after a long career of exuding positive, loving energy to 
not only those of his own congregation and faith--but also to the 
extremely diverse population of San Jose and Silicon Valley, 
California.
  At the age of 104, Rabbi Joseph Gitin was considered one of the 
oldest Reform rabbis in the world and presided over San Jose's oldest 
Reform temple for the longest tenure of all its rabbis. In fact, he had 
been rabbi emeritus at Temple Emanu-El on University Avenue in San 
Jose, California for more than 30 years.
  When he arrived in San Jose in 1950, he was the city's only rabbi. He 
served at Temple Emanu-El until 1976. During that tenure, he worked 
alongside two Christian ministers, to speak at churches about their 
religious similarities. The Reverend Paul Locatelli, who died this 
summer at age 71 and was the former president of Santa Clara 
University, presented Rabbi Gitin an honorary doctor of divinity degree 
in 1996 for ``promoting interfaith dialogue and interracial 
cooperation.''
  Gitin was perhaps best known for his work in the interfaith 
community. By some accounts, about 30 percent of his funerals were for 
non-Jews, which speaks to his enduring compassion and ability to 
comfort those in the last stages of their lives.
  Rabbi Gitin fought hard for the passage of civil rights, equal voting 
rights and equal housing bills. He also worked to protect the civil 
rights of the gay and lesbian communities. His actions are noted in the 
91st Congressional Record, which states how he measured his success not 
by his numerous awards and honors but by the good deeds that he tried 
to perform every day. It was true back then and rings with even more 
clarity as we reflect upon his life.
  Gitin served on a staggering number of civic boards, including the 
Red Cross and Community Chest; the Heart Association and the 
Tuberculosis Society; the Municipal Entertainment Commission and Agnews 
State Hospital; the county Advisory Committee on Children and Youth; 
and the Bicycle Court. He was a lifetime Rotary member and was a judge 
pro tem in the juvenile courts.
  It is my distinct honor to have Rabbi Gitin's presence, compassion 
and love for humankind in my Congressional district. My sincere 
condolences are extended, to his. daughter, Judi Elman Harris, and son, 
David Gitin.

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