[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 89 (Friday, May 21, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E567-E568]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO RABBI IAN S. JACKNIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. THOMAS R. SUOZZI

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 21, 2021

  Mr. SUOZZI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rabbi Ian 
S. Jacknis who, after 28 years is retiring as Rabbi of the South 
Huntington Jewish Center. His dedicated and compassionate tenure as 
Rabbi has touched the lives of many in his congregation through the 
years. He is admired by many and I join his congregation in wishing him 
the best as he moves on to the next chapter in his life.
  I include in the Record the following tribute to Rabbi Jacknis that 
was prepared by the South Huntington Jewish Center:

       On the Occasion of the Retirement of Rabbi Ian S. Jacknis 
     as Rabbi of the South Huntington Jewish Center, celebrating 
     his 28th anniversary as our beloved Rabbi, we honor Rabbi 
     Jacknis for his excellence and

[[Page E568]]

     service to his congregation and the Melville community. We 
     hereby recognize and acknowledge his tenure as Rabbi by 
     sharing some of his biography and contributions.
       Rabbi Jacknis brought his love of Judaism and unique blend 
     of warmth and spirituality to the South Huntington Jewish 
     Center in the summer of 1993, and quickly became known, both 
     inside the synagogue and throughout the surrounding 
     communities, as being welcoming, responsive, insightful and 
     compassionate. During his tenure he has fostered a renewed 
     feeling of unity and enthusiasm in the congregation, as well 
     as a marked increase in membership. Shabbat services, 
     especially, are infused with his special spirit, and he has 
     brought a variety of new initiatives to SHJC.
       Rabbi Jacknis is highly respected by his congregants and 
     his peers. He is a Past President of the Rabbinical Assembly 
     of Nassau-Suffolk as well as the Suffolk Council of Jewish 
     Organizations. The Rabbi also serves as the Jewish Chaplain 
     to the Melville Fire Department.
       Rabbi Jacknis attended the undergraduate Joint Program of 
     the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and Columbia 
     University, receiving two bachelor's degrees in 1977. He 
     later attended the Seminary's Rabbinical School, taking 
     classes at the University of Judaism (now the American Jewish 
     University) in Los Angeles, at Neve Schechter in Jerusalem 
     and at the Seminary's main campus in Manhattan. In May of 
     1983 he received both his Master's Degree and Rabbinic 
     Ordination. Recently, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by 
     the Jewish Theological Seminary.
       Rabbi Jacknis is married to his wonderful wife, Suri 
     Jacknis, who serves as Director of Educator Networks at The 
     Jewish Education Project. She is a progressive leader in the 
     Jewish world, and SHJC is fortunate to have had the two of 
     them as leaders of their community.
       Together, Suri and Rabbi have three children, a son Noam 
     (married to Candace), a daughter Yael, (married to Jacob 
     Davidson) and another daughter Nava (married to Natanel 
     Fuchs). Rabbi and Suri are the proud grandparents of Ethan, 
     Braydon and Liat.

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