[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING TEMPLE MOSES AND RABBI D. GALIMIDI-HADAR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 21, 2018

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the historic 
Temple Moses in Miami Beach and its Executive Director, Rabbi D. 
Galimidi-Hadar.
  Temple Moses is a staple and beacon of our beloved South Florida. It 
serves as a hub for Turkish-Spanish or Sephardic Jews across the world, 
a community of which I am proud to be a part through my grandparents 
who emigrated to Cuba from Turkey. Originating in Spain over 500 years 
ago, Sephardic Jews continue to celebrate that heritage through food, 
song, and prayer. From Spain to Turkey, beginning a hundred years ago, 
until the present time, the Sephardic Jewish community has become a 
leader in scholarship, events, and celebration of the Judeo-Spanish 
life. They are a shining example of diversity and modernity as well as 
culture and faith.
  At Temple Moses Rabbi D. Galimidi-Hadar leads the largest Judeo-
Spanish community in the world. He founded the `Next Sephardic 
Generation', a grassroots organization aimed at revitalizing and 
rebuilding the Judeo-Spanish community, and was named one of America's 
`Most Inspiring Rabbis' by Forward magazine. He's also been recognized 
in the Sun Sentinel newspaper and honored for his work by both the 
Miami Beach Commission and Mayor as well as by the Florida Senate. 
Rabbi D. Galimidi-Hadar was the only member of the clergy to address 
the Florida Senate after the Parkland shooting and has been an advocate 
for those in need throughout Florida. He has written the commentary for 
the Sephardic Siddur series and is currently working on a book about 
the Sephardic experience in America.
  Mr. Speaker, Temple Moses and Rabbi D. Galimidi-Hadar have been a 
shining light in South Florida and I am grateful to have them 
representing us worldwide.

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