[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 73 (Friday, April 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING TRIS & SAM BERGER

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 28, 2017

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor two individuals who 
through their dedication and commitment have become synonymous with the 
Beth El Synagogue Center in Scarsdale, Tris and Sam Berger.
  In 1994, Tris and Sam Berger moved to Scarsdale from New York City 
and immediately joined Beth El Synagogue Center. Their daughter Yael 
(Yali) was born in 1996 and their son Kenny arrived in 2000.
  Tris, a San Diego native, became a bat mitzvah and was confirmed at 
Temple Beth Israel, the largest and oldest Reform Temple in San Diego. 
Sam was raised outside Philadelphia, where his parents were founding 
members of Temple Israel of Upper Darby and subsequently members of 
Temple Beth Sholom, in Elkins Park, PA. Both have had extremely 
successful careers at Price Waterhouse, among other institutions, and 
both have maintained an active community focused schedule outside of 
work. Tris has been involved in Beth El's Centennial Celebration 
Committees and co-chaired the Intergenerational Kallah. She was an area 
chair and divisional chair for UJA Scarsdale Woman's Philanthropy and 
currently chairs the Employment and Self Sufficiency Task Committee as 
part of the Caring Commission at UJA. She is also a member of the UJA 
Board of Directors. Sam has remained actively involved with the HR 
Committee, various search committees and on the Board of Trustees. He 
eventually became a Vice President and then Executive Vice President of 
Beth El. He assumed the position of President of 2014 and hasn't look 
back since. As President, Sam and his officers and other volunteers led 
the shul through the emotional retirement of our beloved rabbi of 43 
years, Rabbi Melvin Sirner, to the exciting hiring of new senior rabbi, 
Rabbi David Schuck.
  Tris and Sam have become part of the very fabric of Beth El and their 
contributions have been many. This year, Beth El is honoring Tris and 
Sam at their 63rd Annual Gala on March 19th. They could not have 
honored two more deserving individuals. Congratulations to Tris and Sam 
on this wonderful occasion.

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