[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 12, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       JERUSALEM'S GOLDEN SILENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JENNIFER A. KIGGANS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2023

  Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record 
remarks submitted at the request of a Virginia Beach constituent, Rabbi 
Dr. Israel Zoberman of Temple Lev Tikvah, and are a reflection of his 
views:


           RABBI ZOBERMAN'S POEM--JERUSALEM'S GOLDEN SILENCE

     These days there is a golden silence
     Overcoming the shouts of the prophets
     Of old and new, ``peace, peace''
     And there is no peace
     But the silence of sealed echoes
     Of hope in holy crevices where
     Shalom's doves find shelter at the
     Wall where wailing has not abated,
     The silence of the cloud of glory
     Encircling God's city like an embracing
     Wedding canopy.
     The voice of the groom
     And the voice of the bride
     Whose rejoicing is Jerusalem's signature,
     Are ever preserved under the heavy silence
     Of immovable rocks hiding millennial
     Prayers refusing to concede victory to
     A spirit bespeaking not the contrition
     Of sacrifice brought here from near
     And afar to placate the One
     Who only pardons those seeking
     The promising power of peace.

  Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman is founder and spiritual leader of Temple 
Lev Tikvah, and Honorary Senior Rabbi Scholar at Eastern Shore Chapel 
Episcopal, both in Virginia Beach. He is a member of the Virginia Beach 
Human Rights Commission.

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