[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 11036]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     WELCOMING RABBI FELIPE GOODMAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentlewoman from 
Nevada (Ms. Berkley) is recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to welcome Rabbi 
Felipe Goodman to the United States Congress. His credentials are as 
impressive as his spirit and his commitment. I know because not only is 
he my rabbi, he's my close personal friend.
  Born in Mexico City, he is an alumni of Mexico City's University of 
the New World and obtained his master's degree from the Jewish 
Theological Seminary. Ordained in 1996, Rabbi Goodman now leads one of 
the most vibrant and fastest-growing conservative congregations in the 
United States, Temple Beth Sholom in my hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada.
  In his 10 years of service, his congregation has grown from 100 to 
more than 700 families. He has built an entire new campus and is 
building a new home for its thriving school.
  On January 5, 2007, 1 day after his 40th birthday, Rabbi Goodman 
became a United States citizen.
  Rabbi Goodman is the co-author of ``Hagadah de Pesaj,'' which is the 
most widely used edition of The Pesach Hagadah used in Latin America.
  Singled-out by international leaders for both his ideas and hard 
work, Felipe became vice president of the World Union of Jewish 
Students.
  He is one of 12 members of The Rabbinic Cabinet of The Chancellor of 
The Jewish Theological Seminary and serves as a member of The Joint 
Placement Commission of The Rabbinical Assembly, The United Synagogue 
and JTS. The Seminary recently appointed him to the Joint Retirement 
Board of The Conservative Movement. He's a former member of The 
Executive Council of The Rabbinical Assembly and its Nominating 
Committee.
  But more than any degree or honor or appointment, he is an important, 
warm, caring, and respected spiritual and religious leader in Las 
Vegas, Nevada, a devoted husband to Liz; a wonderful father to Yoshua, 
Daniela, and Ariela.
  I am honored to have him here with us in the House today and honored 
to call Rabbi Felipe Goodman my rabbi and my friend.

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