[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 186 (Thursday, December 1, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING RABBI ALVIN WAINHAUS ON THE CELEBRATION OF HIS 40TH 
                 ANNIVERSARY AT CONGREGATION OR SHALOM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 1, 2022

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today to join Congregation Or Shalom, located in Orange, Connecticut in 
paying tribute to their outstanding leader, Rabbi Alvin Wainhaus as he 
marks his 40th Anniversary with the synagogue. Indeed, he has been the 
Temple's only rabbi since it opened its doors in 1981.
  The son of Holocaust survivors, Rabbi Wainhaus was raised in Boro 
Park, Brooklyn and attended Brooklyn College, where he received a 
degree in philosophy, as well as New York University, where he earned a 
master's degree in education, before he was ordained at Yeshiva Beth 
Meir in Tel Aviv, Israel some five decades ago. He served several 
synagogues before coming to Congregation Or Shalom where he has led the 
conservative synagogue with integrity, wisdom, and compassion for the 
last forty years. In that time, Rabbi Wainhaus has officiated two 
hundred weddings, named as many babies, and presided over more than 
five hundred Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. Through his dedicated leadership, 
both within the synagogue and the community at large, he has touched 
the lives of many.
  Rabbi Wainhaus is also known as a professional musician, having 
performed and made numerous recordings with the late Hebrew folk singer 
Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach as well as most recently recording a disc to 
accompany a text of Biblical Hebrew, published by Yale University 
Press. Rabbi Wainhaus frequently incorporates his inspirational and 
traditional music into his sermons and services. He is also fluent in 
Yiddish and is a noted lecturer on Yiddish humor.
  With his own background in education, Rabbi Wainhaus has focused much 
of his energy on the teaching of Jewish tradition and faith, 
particularly with children. He guides the synagogue's educational 
program for all ages. His door is always open to those of the Jewish 
faith and to the entire community--to those who wish to learn. For the 
past sixteen years he led the Kristallnacht Program which is open 
community-wide and recognizes unsung heroes of the Holocaust.
  Through his spiritual leadership, as well as his love for music and 
teaching, Rabbi Alvin Wainhaus has left an indelible mark on our 
community. His infinite compassion and commitment to service inspires 
others to make a difference--a gift that has and continues to make the 
Greater New Haven community a better place to live, learn, and grow. I 
am so pleased to have the opportunity to extend my deepest thanks to 
him for all of his good work and to join Congregation Or Shalom in 
congratulating him on his 40th Anniversary. Rabbi--Todah Rabah and 
Mazel Tov.

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