[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 86 (Monday, June 1, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING RABBI MELVIN AND LENORE SIRNER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 1, 2015

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, religious institutions and the men and women 
who lead them have the power to shape and bind communities in many 
incredible ways. For over forty years in New Rochelle, Rabbi Melvin 
Sirner and his wife, Lenore, have led Beth El Synagogue Center in New 
Rochelle with incredible grace, and as a result have left an indelible 
mark on the entire community.
  A native of Chicago and a graduate of the University of Michigan, 
Rabbi Sirner came to New Rochelle in August 1972 following his 
ordination at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Scheduled only to stay 
at Beth El for two years, Rabbi Sirner extended his stay several years 
and, upon the retirement of Rabbi Golovensky, was elected Senior Rabbi 
of the Center.
  Lenore Richman Sirner was born and raised in Boro Park, Brooklyn, and 
received a wonderful early Jewish education at Shulamith School for 
Girls, and later at Yeshiva of Flatbush High School. A graduate of 
George Washington University, Lenore earned her Master's degree in 
social work from New York University, before serving for many years as 
Director of Social Work Case management at the Burke Rehabilitation 
Hospital, and later as Administrator of Clinical Services.
  As Lenore volunteered at Beth El, she met Rabbi Sirner, and the rest 
as they say is history.
  Together, Rabbi Sirner and Lenore have led Beth El by emphasizing 
high quality and meaningful Jewish experiences. Under their 
stewardship, Beth El went from a community that did not permit 
participation of women in religious ritual, to a fully egalitarian 
synagogue. The establishment of the Keruv Committee, which works to 
ensure that all feel fully embraced and welcomed by the Beth El 
community, has helped shaped the synagogue under Rabbi Sirner's watch, 
and the Sylvia and Robert Scher Chesed Committee, which works to help 
shape the larger New Rochelle community as a whole, has become a great 
beacon of light for the entire neighborhood due to its fine work.
  But Rabbi and Lenore Sirner's greatest joy and accomplishment is 
their family. They are the proud parents of Gabrielle, her husband 
Morris, Abby, and Ari. They are also adoring grandparents to Lev, who 
I'm told is currently on the verge of mastering the sippy cup.
  This year, the Beth El Synagogue Center is honoring Rabbi Sirner and 
Lenore for their decades of dedicated service to the Beth El, as well 
as the entire New Rochelle, communities. It is my pleasure to offer 
congratulations to Rabbi Sirner and Lenore on this wonderful occasion, 
and thank them for all they have done to better our community.

                          ____________________