[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10838]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    BETH CHAVERIM'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. E. SCOTT RIGELL

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 29, 2012

  Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to enter a statement into the 
Record on behalf of my constituent, Dr. Israel Zoberman. Dr. Zoberman 
is the Founding Rabbi of Congregation Beth Chaverim in Virginia Beach, 
Virginia. He is also the president of the Hampton Roads Board of Rabbis 
and Cantors. Dr. Zoberman asked me to enter the following remarks into 
the Record regarding Chanaka. Dr. Zoberman's statement follows:

       At the Shabbat morning service, June 30, at 10:30 a.m., 
     followed by a festive luncheon, the family of Beth Chaverim 
     will joyfully celebrate its 30th anniversary which officially 
     falls on July 2. What a milestone in the history of our young 
     congregation that has endured and even flourished during 
     these three eventful decades of accomplishments!
       I, a grateful founding rabbi, shall always remember and 
     cherish the transforming birth of what we affectionately 
     called, ``the baby.'' Much love and tenderness has been 
     bestowed upon the fast-growing ``baby,'' remaining the newest 
     synagogue in the exceptional community of Hampton Roads and 
     the only Reform Jewish temple in Virginia Beach. The 
     congregation's name, ``Beth Chaverim,'' was deliberately 
     chosen to reflect the very essence of what we wanted our 
     temple to be, an embracing ``House of Friends,'' whose birth 
     would always be justified by trying harder than others to 
     create a loving and accepting Jewish home for those choosing 
     to enter our gates and hearts. Admittedly, we have also 
     learned that we are only human and that the perfect vision of 
     our innocent youth was bound to be challenged by a complex 
     and, at times, trying reality.
       It is though beyond doubt that our beloved Beth Chaverim 
     has generated multiple blessings onto its immediate 
     congregational family, the larger Jewish community and the 
     general one with interfaith bonds of historical significance. 
     For our first three years we were kindly hosted by the now 
     Heritage United Methodist Church, followed for ten years 
     (1985-1995) at the most gracious Catholic Church of the 
     Ascension, at that time the only such Jewish-Catholic 
     relationship in the world! While at the church I invited in 
     1993 Muslims to join in the first Jewish-Muslim joint prayer 
     in Hampton Roads, celebrating the beginning of the Peace 
     Process in the Middle East. Currently Beth Chaverim is home 
     to two African American churches, New Jerusalem Ministries 
     led by Dr. Veronica Coleman and Emmanuel Way of the Cross 
     Church led by Bishop Fred E. Hill. Another giant 
     breakthrough! Peace by Piece by Edmarc Hospice For Children 
     and Jewish Family Service of Tidewater meets here as well, 
     along with Boy Scouts Troop #488 that we sponsor.
       I profoundly thank you, founding president Dr. Jerry and 
     Paula Levy, and all members of our Founding Generation, for 
     being such an indispensable part of our noble endeavors and 
     dreams, making possible our sacred work in progress. Your 
     faithful participation has nourished and sustained the 
     miracle called Beth Chaverim, a caring, courageous and 
     creative congregation! Our remarkable Bingo Bunch has made a 
     critical contribution. Our inspiring additions in 2006 of the 
     Marilyn and Marvin Simon Family Sanctuary and the Religious 
     School wing have made a significant difference, allowing us 
     to host the notable Yom Ha'Shoah gathering sponsored by the 
     Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of 
     Tidewater.
       How appropriate and symbolic that our first ``home-grown'' 
     rabbi, Sam Rose, Lora's son, was ordained on June 4th, 2012 
     in Cincinnati, Ohio, at my alma mater, the Hebrew Union 
     College-Jewish Institute of Religion, from which I was 
     ordained 38 years ago. We are proud of him, his wife Andrea, 
     Lora and the entire family. Rabbi Rose will serve at Temple 
     Beth Israel in Austin, Texas, as of July 1st.
       A heartfelt Mazal Tov & Le'Chaim--To life for a great past 
     and even a greater future as we continue to go and grow from 
     strength to strength. My beloved wife Jennifer, soul-mate and 
     helpmate, founding rebbitzen, founding president Dr. Jerry 
     and Paula Levy, president Nate and Janet Rubin, immediate 
     past-president Chris and Dr. Jim Ohlstein, along with past-
     president Dr. Marty and Judi Snyder, join me in offering 
     heartfelt gratitude on truly a grand Simcha celebration of a 
     very special ``baby.''

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