[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 98 (Wednesday, June 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE PASADENA JEWISH TEMPLE AND CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 27, 2012

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Pasadena Jewish 
Temple and Center in Pasadena, California, upon its 90th anniversary.
  Incorporated in 1921, Jewish members of Pasadena built their first 
synagogue, Temple B'nai Israel, on Hudson Avenue in Pasadena. In 1929 
the congregation moved to a larger meeting room due to a rapid growth 
in membership. By 1932 membership had grown to 207 family members. In 
the 1940's, the congregation purchased land and built a new temple on 
Altadena Drive in Pasadena, its current location.
  David Cohen became Rabbi in 1942, followed by Rabbi Max Vorspan, who 
served from 1947 until 1952. During this time, the Pasadena Jewish 
Community was re-named as the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center (PJTC). 
In 1952, Maurice T. Galpert became Rabbi, serving until his death in 
1988. Rabbi Galpert led the PJTC through growth and modernization, 
which included building a new sanctuary and school and the ratification 
of a new constitution. In 1989, Rabbi Gilbert Kollin, long established 
as a rabbinic leader in the greater Los Angeles Jewish community, led 
PJTC until his retirement in 2003. Joshua Levine Grater became Rabbi in 
2003 and under his leadership, the PJTC has become not only a place to 
worship but also a positive role model with many service and outreach 
programs.
  Since its inception, the PJTC has provided spiritual guidance to its 
members and support for the community. In addition to hosting 
affiliated Jewish organizations such as the Weizmann Day School and 
B'nai B'rith, there are many service committees including the 
Sisterhood, United Synagogue Youth, Men's Club, and Israel Committees. 
The Tikkun Olam & Social Justice Committee coordinates ongoing 
humanitarian and social action work within PJTC and the greater 
community, and its efforts include coordinating charitable responses to 
occurrences such as Hurricane Katrina and ending the genocide in 
Darfur. Members also volunteer with Union Station Homeless Services and 
Project Isaiah, a food and clothing distribution program, and provide 
tutoring to Longfellow Elementary School students in Pasadena.
  I consider it a great privilege to represent the Pasadena Jewish 
Temple and Center and I ask all Members to join me in congratulating 
the congregation upon their 90th anniversary.

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