[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 92 (Tuesday, June 5, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E771-E772]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING MIRIAM WESTHEIMER & JOEL EINLEGER

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 5, 2018

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to honor two 
individuals who have done outstanding work as part of the Conservative 
Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale (CSAIR) community, Miriam 
Westheimer and Joel Einleger.
  Joel and Miriam found a home at CSAIR that spoke to their divergent 
backgrounds. Yeshiva-educated, Joel grew up in a Modern Orthodox family 
in Washington Heights connected to the local Jewish community. Miriam 
also grew up in Washington Heights, and her family's connection to 
Judaism was primarily cultural, with shul attendance reserved for High 
Holidays. They both were drawn by CSAIR's warmth, evident when the 
Havurah offered to make a minyan after Miriam's father passed away, and 
when food showed up on their doorstep after their oldest, Ari, was 
born.
  Miriam served on the Education Board and the Social Action Committee; 
chaired the Gala honoring Rabbi Katz and Shoshi Talesnick; and worked 
on the Child Protection Committee. She organized the interfaith Seder, 
developed a partnership with the Creston Avenue Baptist Church, and 
started regular Israeli folk dance evenings. She also chaired the most 
recent Capital Campaign, which through

[[Page E772]]

her special connection with Bette Baum, helped her to envision the new 
Baum library.
  Like Miriam, Joel contributed to CSAIR by serving on the Design 
Committee for both building renovations. At the same time, Joel focused 
on the congregation's spiritual core. He organized the first Torathon, 
an evening of classes and workshops open to the community. He was 
passionate about finding a way to reinvigorate Friday nights, leading 
to the now popular Lechu Neranena program. He was also intent on 
providing an easy way to sustain Jewish learning and continuity through 
the Passport to Jewish Education initiative. This program encompasses a 
host of scholarship opportunities for the children of CSAIR members.
  Both Joel and Miriam are CSAIR treasures, extending the warmth and 
energy that first embraced them to all who enter our doors. This year, 
CSAIR is honoring them for their exceptional contributions to the 
community at their annual Gala Celebration. They have chosen two 
outstanding honorees. I too want to congratulate both Miriam and Joel 
on this wonderful occasion and thank them for all they have done.

                          ____________________