[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 1, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S872-S873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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        BETH TFILOH CONGREGATION SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP TRANSITION

 Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of a 
rare event happening this Saturday at my home synagogue of Beth Tfiloh 
in Pikesville, MD. At what is the largest Modern Orthodox Synagogue in 
America, with over 1,200 members, we will install only the fourth 
senior rabbi since the founding of the congregation in 1921.
  In Judaism, a rabbi is a leader or teacher. ``Teacher'' is the 
literal translation of the word. He or she is a spiritual guide for the 
community through spiritual learning and religious exploration. Our 
rabbi is an integral part of all life-cycle and congregational events.
  Rabbi Chai Posner was selected by a unanimous vote of the members of 
the Beth Tfiloh congregation as the next spiritual leader of our 
synagogue in September 2019, just before the pandemic transformed our 
world. While his official installation will take place on Saturday, 
March 5, Rabbi Posner officially became the senior rabbi of Beth Tfiloh 
Congregation and dean of the Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School on 
January 1, 2022.
  Originally, from Brooklyn, he has been a member of the Beth Tfiloh 
clergy since 2010 and is often described as ``wise beyond his years.'' 
Rabbi Posner represents the next generation of leadership in our 
community. He has a keen understanding of where the community has been 
and where we are heading.
  In a recent interview with local Jmore Baltimore Jewish Living, he 
described the legacy he has taken on: ``One of the main reasons that 
Beth Tfiloh has been so successful is we have stayed true to our 
mission but have also adapted to the changing world around us. Rabbi 
Samuel Rosenblatt, Beth Tfiloh's founding rabbi, was committed to 
tradition, modernity, Israel, education, children and women's 
inclusion. All of those look different today than they did 100 years 
ago, but it's astounding to see that we are still committed to all of 
these same principles.''
  The other part of this spiritual transition, along with Rabbi Posner, 
is Rabbi Mitchell Wohlberg, who held the position of senior rabbi for 
43 years. He will serve in the position of rabbi-in-residence through 
December 2025.
  What can I say about Rabbi Wohlberg? He has been a friend and a 
counselor, a leader and guide for Beth Tfiloh Congregation and 
Baltimore over the course of four decades--for my family and me as 
well.
  Through his legendary sermons and community involvement, his moral 
leadership has inspired generations of community leaders. For 40-plus 
years, he has led our community through the most joyous and most 
painful moments in our lives, and everything in between. Through it 
all, he maintains, ``we are supposed to serve God in joy.''
  As for those sermons--on every topic imaginable and then some--they 
stand as a legacy to Rabbi Wohlberg's love of scripture, his faith, and 
the world as a whole. In one such sermon, he shared ``It is said that 
actions speak louder than words. That may be so but words carry a lot 
of weight. They are what makes us human.''
  Rabbi Wohlberg also has embodied the spirit of tikkun olam--repairing 
our world. I want to share one example among countless instances of how 
he has transformed the lives around him.
  A half-dozen years ago, Rev. Dr. Terris King of the Liberty Grace 
Church of God in Ashburton reached out to Rabbi Wohlberg in fellowship. 
This was a time when Baltimore was still healing from the death of 
Freddie Gray and some national leaders chose to attack Baltimore for 
their own personal gain. Rabbi Wohlberg and Dr. King connected over 
faith, shared community and shared history. Barely 5 miles separates 
the two congregations, but as the two clergy have explained: ``In some 
ways, Ashburton and Pikesville are in two different worlds. But the 
reality is, we are next-door neighbors. Maryland's recently maligned

[[Page S873]]

seventh district reminds us that there are no barriers separating 
Baltimore City and Baltimore County; the only barriers are the ones we 
establish in our hearts. We have discovered that getting to know each 
other not only brings us closer, but helps us to learn from each other, 
to better understand each other's lived experiences, and even to better 
understand ourselves.''
  The interfaith and interracial relationship between Beth Tfiloh and 
Liberty Grace has grown stronger over the years, nurtured by Rabbi 
Wohlberg and Dr. King. Branded as ``Building Bridges Across 
Baltimore,'' volunteers from both communities have come together to 
provide fresh produce and meals to West Baltimore residents, renovate 
local schools, host local festivals and book fairs, promote reading and 
writing partnerships, and work together to reduce violence. This model 
of community involvement has maintained its focus of ``Working together 
to improve the education and health of Baltimore children and families 
[as] the only way we will improve the conditions of our city.''
  Throughout Rabbi Wohlberg's four decades at Beth Tfiloh Congregation, 
I especially have been struck at how he has made the children of our 
congregation and our community a priority. During his tenure, the Beth 
Tfiloh Dahan Community School has grown in both size and reputation.
  Thanks in no small part to Rabbi Wohlberg's determination and high 
expectations, in 2000, the school, which now serves children from 
preschool through high school, was named a National Blue Ribbon School 
of Excellence. It was 1 of 12 schools nationally to receive an award 
for its special emphasis in technology.
  On a very personal note, I am a third-generation member of Beth 
Tfiloh congregation. Rabbi Wohlberg and I have been friends for years, 
and my children and grandchildren have attended the schools. He 
presided over the B'nai Mitzvahs of our children and the wedding of my 
daughter. Rabbi Wohlberg is and will forever be an indelible part of my 
family history.
  As Beth Tfiloh congregation begins to write a new chapter in its 
century-long history, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations and 
thanks to both Rabbi Posner and Rabbi Wohlberg.
  Transitions are not always easy, but these two spiritual and 
community leaders, who have worked side-by-side for so many years, have 
forged a path forward that celebrates past successes and has the 
community excited for the future.
  As it says in Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, ``to every thing there is a 
season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.''

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