[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 4]
[SENAT]
[Page 4354]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        RABBI MICHAEL BARENBAUM

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Rabbi Michael 
Barenbaum on the occasion of his retirement after 27 years as senior 
rabbi at Congregation Rodef Sholom in San Rafael, California.
  Rabbi Barenbaum is a man of great kindness and integrity who carries 
the Jewish values of caring and compassion with him in everything he 
does. With his wisdom and intelligence, he has changed thousands of 
lives for the better.
  Under his leadership, Congregation Rodef Sholom has more than tripled 
in size, and its religious school has become one of the largest in 
Northern California. Rabbi Barenbaum has attracted thousands of 
worshipers, including members of other congregations and faiths, 
through the thoughtfulness of his sermons and the lively, informal 
spirit of his services.
  At the same time, Rabbi Barenbaum has fostered a strong tradition of 
social action among his congregation. In the 1970s and 80s, he led 
local efforts to welcome and help settle Jewish emigres from the Soviet 
Union. He established a Mitzvah Day program that put nearly a thousand 
congregants to work on dozens of community-service programs throughout 
Marin County. He has been a leader in ecumenical housing, in aiding the 
homeless, and in bringing together clergy of all faiths to create 
services for people in need.
  As he heads into a well-deserved retirement, Rabbi Barenbaum has said 
that he plans to work on establishing a Jewish hospice in the San 
Francisco Bay Area. After years of moving others to action, he is eager 
to serve as a volunteer.
  Mr. President, here is a man--a real mensch. I am sure that even in 
retirement, Rabbi Barenbaum will continue to do wonders and inspire 
others for many years to come.

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