[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 80 (Thursday, May 19, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E747]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF RABBI RICHARD LITVAK

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 19, 2016

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of one of the 
most joyous and remarkable leaders that I have met in my 40 years of 
elective office. Rabbi Richard Litvak will retire this summer after 40 
years of leadership at Temple Beth El in Aptos, California. In those 
years he has touched thousands of lives, nurturing their spiritual 
lives, counseling them in times of grief, bringing smiles in times of 
joy, and as a licensed family counselor, maybe even saving a few 
marriages. With the exception of my father, the late Fred Farr, there 
is no man who I admire more for his exuberant humanity and transcendent 
love for all those around him.
   Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, Rick grew up in a close-knit family 
whose social life centered around their own community's synagogue. In 
high school, he joined a Jewish youth group and a Mitzvah Corps 
program. That grounding in Reform Judaism encouraged his involvement in 
interfaith dialogue and Jewish social justice activism. This background 
led Rick to study at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio. He holds 
an MA in Hebrew Arts and Letters and is a rabbinic member of the Chesky 
Institute for Judaism and Psychotherapy.
   Rick first came to Temple Beth El in 1975--the same year I was sworn 
in as a Monterey County Supervisor--as a student rabbi, and then in 
1977 became its first full time rabbi. Under his leadership, the Temple 
community grew steadily, from 50 families to over 500 today. He added 
religious programs, Jewish adult education courses, expanded religious 
school curriculums, a preschool, and community center activities. Rick 
also helped lead the development and 1990 opening of the current Temple 
site.
   In the broader community, Rick has built a towering reputation for 
leadership and peace building. He elevated social action and interfaith 
understanding to a central calling for the Temple Beth El community; 
supporting its leadership in the ``Out in Our Faith'' movement locally 
and nationally. People throughout Santa Cruz County and the Monterey 
Bay Area appreciate Rick for the faith, leadership, and joy that he 
brings to many social justice causes.
   Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House in thanking Rick for 
his years of service. The world is an immeasurably better place for 
having Rick among its people. I want to say what a pleasure it has been 
to work with him these many years. He is such an amazing leader. So 
much so, that once I heard that he planned to retire, I felt compelled 
to follow his example and announce my own retirement from elective 
office. I wish Rick, his amazing wife Nancy, and their daughters 
Jessica and Gwen, all the best. Shalom, my friend.

                          ____________________