[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 24, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E527]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRATULATING RABBI AMY R. PERLIN ON HER RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 2018

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rabbi Amy R. 
Perlin for her 32 years of exceptional service to the Temple B'nai 
Shalom and the surrounding community of Fairfax Station. After decades 
of service, Rabbi Perlin will be retiring this July.
  Rabbi Perlin was determined to build a vibrant and meaningful Jewish 
life for families in Northern Virginia. In 1986, she founded the Temple 
B'nai Shalom congregation, becoming the first female rabbi in the 
United States to start a congregation on her own, bringing together the 
essence of Jewish spiritual life for about 100 families from several 
nearby communities in the fall of 1986. Under her leadership, the 
Temple has grown to serve over 500 families from throughout Northern 
Virginia, and earned a reputation as a values driven, welcoming, 
diverse, caring, and highly-participatory congregation.
  Nationally, Temple B'nai Shalom is known for retaining and inspiring 
generations of Jewish youth to continue practicing their faith through 
Confirmation and Post-Confirmation, posting one of the best post-Bar 
Mitzvah retention rates in the country. Additionally, the Temple has 
sent a record number of rabbinic students to Hebrew Union College and 
the Jewish Institute of Religion, with seven members of the 
congregation matriculating to the Institute since 2002. Having Rabbi 
Perlin's students named to these prestigious institutions is truly a 
testament to her resolute commitment to providing Jewish youth with a 
first-rate education.
  In recognition for her leadership and service, Rabbi Perlin received 
the Jewish Women International's 2012 Women to Watch award. In 2013, 
she was recognized as one of ``America' s Most Inspiring Rabbis'' by 
The Forward newspaper for her impact shaping 21st century Judaism.
  In addition to her faithful service to the Temple B'nai Shalom 
congregation, Rabbi Perlin is a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. 
Together with her husband of 41 years, Gary, she has been dedicated to 
social justice and philanthropy in the Washington area and worldwide.
  In honor of Rabbi Perlin's legacy, the congregation of the Temple 
B'nai Shalom is establishing the Rabbi Amy R. Perlin and Gary L. Perlin 
Endowment to commemorate the invaluable leadership and service she and 
her husband have provided to the Northern Virginia community. With the 
establishment of this endowment, Rabbi Perlin's contributions and 
leadership will continue to thrive and strengthen the Jewish faith now 
and in the future.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Rabbi 
Perlin's loyal and dedicated service to Temple B'nai Shalom. On behalf 
of Virginia's 10th District, I wish Rabbi Perlin all the best in her 
future endeavors.

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