[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4267]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF TEMPLE EMANU-EL OF WEST ESSEX

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 13, 2016

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Temple 
Emanu-El of West Essex, located in Livingston, Essex County, New Jersey 
as it celebrates its 60th Anniversary.
  The Temple Emanu-El of West Essex was established in 1955 in response 
to growing demand for a Reform Jewish service within Livingston. 
Originally composed of eleven families, the congregation quickly 
expanded after the first year to include fifty-six families and has 
continued to grow throughout the years. By 1962, the congregation 
completed work on the physical sanctuary, replacing an old hotdog stand 
off of Northfield Road with the Temple Emanu-El of West Essex. The 
building is an architectural landmark within Livingston. The design 
reflects an artistic interpretation of the Israelites' Tent of Meeting 
in the desert wilderness.
  Since its creation, the Temple Emanu-El of West Essex has been an 
active participant in both the local and global community. The 
congregation established the Social Action Committee in 1964, and with 
the pioneering efforts of Rabbi Peter Kasdan, often stood at the 
forefront of many social justice campaigns. Beginning with the Temple 
Emanu-El of West Essex, Rabbi Kasdan organized a nationwide Jewish 
Reform boycott of grapes in support of United Farm Workers. Other 
issues of focus included Soviet Jewry, Ethiopian Jewry, and Vietnamese 
Boat People. More recently, the organization has focused on reform 
rights in Israel, Darfur, LGBT rights, and raising awareness for Jewish 
genetic diseases.
  The Temple Emanu-El of West Essex has expanded to include an Early 
Childhood Center, as well as a Holocaust Remembrance Center opened in 
2004. Currently, Rabbi Greg Litcofsky leads the congregation. The 
Temple Emanu-El promotes inclusivity within the Jewish faith by 
welcoming not only Jews of all backgrounds, but also those of 
interfaith families and Jews-by-Choice. This community provides a 
strong support network for members, working to fulfill religious, 
cultural and social needs. From a religious school to a softball 
league, the Temple of Emanu-El of West Essex is more than just a 
religious institution, but a powerful, multi-faceted spiritual 
community within Livingston.
  In 2007, the Union for Reform Jews Congregation recognized the Temple 
of Emanu-El with an Honorable Mention for the Learner's Award for Adult 
Education. Many individual members of the Temple have gone on to 
receive the Union for Reform Jews' Keva Award for at least one hundred 
hours of Jewish study.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring and celebrating the Temple of 
Emanu-El of West Essex for its sixty years of serving as a community 
staple, paving the way on many social justice reform issues, and 
providing a religious and cultural sanctuary for its active members.

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