[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 20208-20209]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING CONGREGATION TEPHERETH ISRAEL OF NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, ON 
 ITS SEVENTY-SIXTH ANNIVERSARY, AND RABBI HENRY OKOLICA, FOR HIS FORTY-
          TWO YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO TEPHERETH ISRAEL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NANCY L. JOHNSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 9, 2002

  Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the 
76th Anniversary of Congregation Tephereth Israel in New Britain, 
Connecticut, and the achievements of Rabbi Henry Okolica, who is 
celebrating 42 years of dedicated service to the congregation. I 
congratulate Rabbi Okolica, the congregation and all their friends. We 
are proud of their dedication and grateful for their many decades of 
service to our community and acknowledge with gratitude their 
successful refurbishment of their beloved temple, one of our city's 
landmarks.
  It was 76 years ago that Governor John H. Trumbull laid the 
cornerstone at 76 Winter Street. Since that time, Tephereth Israel has 
been a center of rich, spiritual devotion and always encouraged and 
recognized service to the community. The congregation became the first 
in Greater Hartford to make religious education available to students 
regardless of their financial circumstances, and over many years 
provided an environment for spiritual growth that gave our city many 
valued leaders. Perhaps the most famous was Governor Abraham Ribicoff. 
Governor Ribicoff, whose father was one of the early presidents of 
Tephereth Israel Synagogue, became the first Jewish governor of the 
state of Connecticut, and served as Secretary of Health, Education and 
Welfare as well as a United States Senator.
  When the sanctuary's interior was destroyed by fire in 1963, the New 
Britain community was moved to help rebuild it, so great was their 
admiration for Rabbi Okolica and Tephereth Israel. Today, 370 people 
are memorialized upon the walls of the Synagogue, a fitting tribute to 
past members and a reminder to the congregation's contribution to our 
community.
  Since 1960, Rabbi Henry Okolica has been devoted to his faith, his 
congregation and to helping countless people in need. He has been a 
friend to innumerable individuals and an inspiration to families 
throughout the state. For 40 years, Rabbi Okolica hosted the television 
show, ``Jewish Life,'' welcoming as his guests all religious 
persuasions on a wide variety of topics. The conversations reflected 
his thoughtful, generous character. He would conclude each broadcast 
with a plea to viewers to be generous in their contributions and 
mindful of those less fortunate. I am proud to share my hometown with 
Rabbi Okolica and Congregation Tephereth Israel, and honored to 
represent them in the United States Congress.
  On October 13, 2002, the congregation and community will be 
celebrating their history and a dramatic renovation of their temple 
with a ceremony at Tephereth Israel. Past and present clergy will be 
honored at the celebration, including Reverend Elias Rosenbeger, Rabbi 
Joseph Aronson, Rabbi Jacob Weitzman, Cantor Sholom Nelson, Reverend 
Max Prager, Reverend Elifant Rabbi Arnold Heisler and Cantor Melvin 
Etra.
  This special event will be more than a celebration for the 
congregation. It will be a remembrance by the whole community of the 
history of New Britain, for the founders of Tephereth Israel represent 
some of New Britain's most active citizens and friends of the 
community. Many came to America in search of relief from persecution in 
their native lands in Eastern Europe and Russia. These were highly 
learned individuals, having studied in acclaimed Talmudic schools 
throughout Russia, Poland and Lithuania. One such early New Britain 
resident was Benjamin Marholin, a grocery store owner and man of 
culture who was the uncle of celebrated American composer Irving 
Berlin. Another was Jonas Goldsmith, whose daughter Anna would become 
one of the organizers of the New Britain Chapter of Hadassah. Dr. 
Morris Dunn became a tireless advocate on behalf of Zionist causes, 
helping New Britain to become one of the most active centers of Zionism 
in the nation. All of these men and women overcame the odds through 
their belief in this country and their unfaltering faith.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Rabbi Henry Okolica and Congregation 
Tephereth Israel on their respective anniversaries and the renovation 
of their spiritual home. I ask the House to join me in wishing them the 
very best for the future.

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