[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6214]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING DONNA & ABE BARTELL

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 28, 2017

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor two members of the 
community who have made some remarkable contributions to the Beth EI 
Synagogue Center, Donna and Abe Bartell.
  After being introduced on a blind date in 1993, Donna and Abe married 
in 1995. Having lived in Rhode Island and Bayside, Queens, Donna and 
Abe settled in New Rochelle in 2001 with their two-year-old daughter 
Hannah. That same year, their twin sons Stephen and Jesse were born. 
When choosing a synagogue, Donna gave Abe no choices. They would join a 
Conservative shul, and since they lived in New Rochelle, they were 
zoned to attend a New Rochelle synagogue. The obvious and only choice 
was Beth EI Synagogue Center. Beth EI quickly became the family's 
second home, a home which shared and celebrated Jesse's and Stephen's 
bris and the children's bnei mitzvahs. Hannah, Stephen, and Jesse all 
attended the Beth EI Nursery School, the amazing Day Camp, and, after 
spending Kindergarten through fifth grade at Schechter Westchester, 
they moved on to the Beth EI Religious School and became active in Beth 
El's USY chapter.
  Donna has served on numerous committees at Beth EI. She has enjoyed 
working on youth activities and organizing meals when Beth EI hosts the 
USY Kinnus. Donna has served as co-chair of the Membership Committee 
and Couples Club. She has also been on the Nursery School Board.
  Abe has served as a member of the Nursery School Board, Day Camp 
Board, Religious School Board, and Board of Trustees. He has been a 
member of numerous committees and chaired several, including the 
Nominating Committee, Catering and Kiddush Committee, and the Youth 
Services Committee. He has co-led many High Holiday Junior Congregation 
Services and Havurah Services as half of the now famous Dan & Abe Show.
  This year, Beth EI is honoring Donna and Abe at their 63rd Annual 
Gala for all of their contributions to the Synagogue. They are most 
deserving of the recognition. Congratulations to Donna and Abe on 
receiving this wonderful honor.

                          ____________________