[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 188 (Monday, December 5, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S6959]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   TRIBUTE TO RABBI STUART WEINBLATT

 Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, this Friday will be a joyous 
occasion at Congregation B'nai Tzedek in Potomac, MD--a Shabbat dinner 
to celebrate Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt's 70th birthday. His Excellency 
Michael Herzog, Israel's Ambassador to the United States, will be the 
guest speaker at the dinner. Rabbi Weinblatt founded Congregation B'Nai 
Tzedek 34 years ago with just a few families. Today, the Conservative 
synagogue is thriving, with 650 families. The growth and well-being of 
Congregation B'Nai Tzedek is a testament to Rabbi Weinblatt's vision, 
persistence, and charismatic leadership.
  Rabbi Weinblatt graduated from the University of Maryland with high 
honors in history. While he was an undergraduate, he helped to 
establish the Jewish Studies Program and represented the student body 
to the Maryland State government. He was ordained at the Hebrew Union 
College in Cincinnati. Rabbi Weinblatt has been an adjunct professor at 
Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, teaching Jewish history, 
Bible, and theology. He is widely recognized as a gifted teacher, 
speaker, and author. ``Washington Jewish Week'' readers have voted him 
the ``Best Rabbi in Washington'' on numerous occasions. The ``Forward'' 
newspaper recognized Rabbi Weinblatt as ``One of the Most Inspiring 
Rabbis in America'' in 2016. He received the Jewish Community Relations 
Council of Greater Washington's ``Pillar of the Community'' award and a 
``Man of the Year'' award from the Greater Washington Chapter of ORT, 
the global Jewish educational network that prepares students for 
careers in science, technology, engineering, and math--STEM.
  Rabbi Weinblatt has served as president of the Washington Board of 
Rabbis, chaired the National Convention of the Rabbinical Assembly in 
Jerusalem and in Washington DC, and chaired the prestigious Annual 
Israel Bonds' Ambassador's Ball. He authored ``God, Prayer and 
Spirituality,'' a compilation of his sermons, writings, and articles. 
He is known for his effective use of humor, even when dealing with his 
own cancer, which he chronicled in ``Living in the Shadow of Death: A 
Rabbi Copes with Cancer,'' a book one reviewer described as ``a 
comforter to others . . . [and] also a valuable tool for clergy and 
health care professionals who interact with and counsel individuals in 
similar situations.'' He is a frequent columnist for the Jewish News 
Syndicate, often commenting on the State of Israel.
  Rabbi Weinblatt is president of the Rabbinic Cabinet of the Jewish 
Federations of North America and has served as director of Israel 
Policy and Advocacy for the Rabbinical Assembly. He heads the Jewish 
National Fund's ``Rabbis for Israel.'' In these roles, Rabbi Weinblatt 
has played a critical role in strengthening the enduring bond between 
our two democracies, whose diplomatic partnership will celebrate its 
75th anniversary next May. Today, in a world in turmoil, in the Middle 
East region and beyond, our bilateral relationship is more important 
than ever, and Rabbi Weinblatt can be justly proud of the role he has 
played in securing this bond.
  The mission statement of Congregation B'nai Tzedek emphasizes the 
collective responsibility to do ``tikun olam,'' to give ``tzedekah,'' 
and to perform ``mitzvot'' regularly ``as a means of supporting Jewish 
causes and all people in need.'' The Congregation is committed to 
making Jewish values relevant and meaningful in today's world and, 
under Rabbi Weinblatt's inspired leadership, it succeeds. On behalf of 
my Senate colleagues, I would like to join the families of Congregation 
B'nai Tzedek; Rabbi Weinblatt's wife Symcha, his children, and 
grandchildren; his rabbinical colleagues; Ambassador Herzog; and 
everyone else fortunate to know him as a friend or mentor in wishing 
him a happy 70th birthday, ``ad me'ah v'esrim!''

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