[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 133 (Friday, August 4, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING ERICA AND EPHRAIM EDELMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 4, 2017

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of 
Riverdale is fortunate to have two members, Ephraim and Erica Edelman, 
who have displayed a deep commitment and passion to the CSAIR 
community. It is no wonder why they are being honored with the Chai 
Award at this year's Spring Gala.
  Ephraim and Erica came to Judaism in different ways, and to CSAIR 
almost accidentally. As a youth, Erica led junior services, spent 
summers at Camp Ramah and worked in the synagogue's Hebrew School. 
After attending public schools, Erica felt a need for more Jewish 
education, and therefore, she enrolled in List College where she 
received a degree in Tanach from JTS and a degree in Religion from 
Columbia University, followed by her Masters in Education from Hofstra 
University. Ephraim also went to Camp Ramah and spent Shabbat at shul 
surrounded by a small posse of friends, reading Torah and contributing 
to the service from the time he was ten years old. He went to 
Binghamton University and found his way into the Business School and 
received an MBA from Columbia University. Indeed, Camp Ramah brought 
Erica and Ephraim together. The two met on staff at Ramah while Erica 
was in college and Ephraim had already graduated. They married and 
moved to Riverdale in 2002, where they joined CSAIR.
  The Edelmans' involvement in CSAIR, substantial from the start, has 
grown over the years. Ephraim served on the Ritual Committee and often 
volunteered to leyn or serve as shomer; Erica led the Young Family 
Children's Program, creating and illustrating one of her proudest 
accomplishments, the ``Siddur,'' which is still used today. Erica 
teaches Kindergarten at SAR Academy, where their three children, 
Avishai 13, Nadiv, 11, and Shefa, 8, attend. Ephraim joined the Board 
of Trustees, the Finance Committee, and has served as CSAIR Treasurer 
for the last four years.
  Few have done more or been more committed to CSAIR over the years 
than Erica and Ephraim. They are most deserving of this wonderful 
honor.

                          ____________________