[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13753]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO RABBI STEVEN B. JACOBS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2006

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my 
constituent Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs for his invaluable service to the 
residents of the San Fernando Valley and to people throughout the 
world. For the past 36 years, Rabbi Jacobs has provided an unwavering 
commitment to civil rights and religious pluralism. This year, Rabbi 
Jacobs will be retiring from his position as Senior Rabbi of Temple Kol 
Tikvah in Woodland Hills, California. He leaves behind a legacy that 
exemplifies tikkun olam, the repair and healing of the world.
  For many years, Rabbi Jacobs has worked to promote social justice and 
inter-faith and interracial relations. In 1999, he accompanied Reverend 
Jesse Jackson on an interfaith delegation to Yugoslavia. That 
delegation sought the release of captured American soldiers. When asked 
whether it was difficult to balance his spiritual beliefs with his 
personal feelings and political opinions, the Rabbi commented: ``It is 
in our life as religious leaders to hold hands, even with people who 
are our enemies.''
  Rabbi Jacobs demonstrates the powerful impact that people of faith 
can have on our society through an unrelenting commitment to the 
protection of religious and civil rights for all people. He was honored 
in 2001 with the Walter Cronkite Faith and Freedom Award, presented for 
his efforts to promote and preserve religious liberty.
  Rabbi Jacobs has served as an influential member of the Progressive 
Jewish Alliance, the Southern California Board of Rabbis, the Central 
Conference of American Rabbis, the UNICEF National Board, and the 
Muslim American Homeland Security Congress of the Los Angeles County 
Sheriffs Department. He chaired the Governor of California's Task Force 
on Refugees and was a delegate to the United Nations' Conference on 
Refugees.
  As part of his exemplary international work, Rabbi Jacobs 
participated in an interfaith delegation to El Salvador. He also served 
on a mission to Prague, Czech Republic, working in conjunction with the 
North American Board of Rabbis to improve Jewish-Catholic relations.
  Rabbi Jacobs continues to fight racism against Muslims and to foster 
improved Muslim-Jewish relations in Los Angeles. In 2004, he 
collaborated with the Muslim Public Affairs Council and the Anti-
Defamation League to condemn terrorism. His efforts to denounce hate 
speech have allied him with the Los Angeles County Human Relations 
Commission, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Los 
Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, and many other similar organizations. I 
am pleased that he will continue his work through his most recent 
endeavor, the Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs Progressive Faith Foundation, 
whose vision is to promote the values of interfaith acceptance in the 
public and private sectors.
  The Rabbi has also fought for wage reform to help ensure a living 
wage for all workers. He has also worked to mobilize the traditional 
coalition of African Americans and Jews to ensure fair and honest 
elections.
  It is my honor to congratulate Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs for his noble 
career as Kol Tikvah's senior rabbi. His work has strengthened 
communities of faith, increased positive social action, and added to 
international understanding and cooperation. He has touched and 
improved the lives of people of all faiths not just in the San Fernando 
Valley but throughout the world.

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