[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 138 (Friday, September 6, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E862]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF TEMPLE EMANUEL

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                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 6, 2024

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 150th 
anniversary of Temple Emanuel. Temple Emanuel is a place of sanctuary 
and belonging, a place deeply intertwined with the history and culture 
of Denver, and a spiritual home for countless individuals for many 
generations. As we mark this milestone, it is important to remember the 
journey that has brought Temple Emanuel to this occasion. First 
established in 1866 and officially incorporated in 1874, this 
congregation predates Colorado's statehood. While the city has changed 
a great deal over these last 150 years and indeed the location of 
Temple Emanuel has changed more than once, the heart of the temple--a 
living connection to millennia of Jewish traditions for congregants--is 
the same.
  Today, the temple is the largest Jewish congregation between Kansas 
City and the West Coast. For the Jewish community in Denver, Temple 
Emanuel is a place for life's milestones large and small. From weekly 
Shabbat Services to the High Holy Days, from celebrations to mourning, 
this temple hosts countless special memories, moments of deep personal 
meaning and community healing, and serves as a community gathering 
place for people from all walks of life.
  I have seen firsthand the commitment Temple Emanuel has to bringing 
our community together through service work and social justice, a role 
that is particularly impactful during times of uncertainty as the 
congregation sustains and restores community. They host courageous 
conversations on social issues and have served as a meeting place for 
interfaith dialogues. In an era marked by division and discord, Temple 
Emanuel has emerged as a beacon of hope and resilience, embracing our 
entire community and providing a sanctuary for those in need of solace 
and support.
  The 150th anniversary of Temple Emanuel helps us reaffirm our 
commitment to the values of unity, compassion, and understanding that 
have guided this institution for a century and a half. May Temple 
Emanuel continue to serve as a shining example of the transformative 
power of faith and community for generations to come.
  I congratulate my friend Rabbi Joseph R. Black and the entire 
congregation on this incredible milestone of 150 years in service to 
Denver.

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