[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 60 (Thursday, April 6, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E295]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO CONGREGATION KOL AMI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 6, 2023

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Congregation Kol Ami 
of West Hollywood, California, upon its 30th anniversary.
  Established in 1992 by Founding Rabbi Denise L. Eger as a 
Progressive/Reform Synagogue, Congregation Kol Ami has been faithfully 
serving the LGBTQ+ and Jewish community for three decades, where it is 
committed to advancing diversity, social justice, Jewish traditions, 
and progressive spirituality.
  Congregation Kol Ami, which in Hebrew means ``the voice of my 
people,'' numbers around 225 households, with members representing a 
diverse spectrum of gender identities and Jewish backgrounds. The 
synagogue has been known internationally for its advocacy of LGBTQ+ 
rights and for being a refuge for persons with HIV and AIDS.
  Aside from Jewish Holy Day and Shabbat worship, the congregation 
offers a monthly HIV+ support group, DocJewmentary film series, access 
to classes at a religious school for children from kindergarten to 12th 
grade, free career coach services, social worker services through the 
EZRA Network, and various other lectures and classes. In 2021, 
Congregation Kol Ami hosted a special interfaith observance in honor of 
World AIDS Day and partnered with the National AIDS Memorial to host 
the 50,000 panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt in West Hollywood.
  The synagogue was awarded with the Los Angeles Blade's Best House of 
Worship Award for several years, along with winning the Editor's Choice 
Award in 2020.
  It is my privilege to recognize Congregation Kol Ami on its 30th 
anniversary of upholding Jewish tradition and fostering an active 
community. I ask all Members of Congress to join me in wishing 
Congregation Kol Ami and its congregants continued prosperity.

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