Rabbi Solomon Schiff
Greater Miami Jewish Federation
Miami, FL
Sponsor: Rep. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, (R-FL)
Date of Prayer: 07/12/2001
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Ms. ROS–LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am so very pleased to introduce my congressional constituent, Rabbi Solomon Schiff, of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, who led us in our opening prayer today.
I am proud to have a spiritual leader from Miami chosen for this special opportunity, and I thank Rabbi Schiff for sharing his compassionate prayer of hope and peace with our colleagues.
Within the south Florida community, Rabbi Schiff is well–known for his many acts of kindness and charity. In addition to his many duties, he finds time to serve as a member of the Governor's Commission on Aging with Dignity, as well as the People United to Lead the Struggle for Equality, an African American clergy group.
Rabbi Schiff is currently the executive vice president of the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami, a position he has held since 1964. He is the longest–serving executive of any board of rabbis.
Additionally, he has served as the President of the Florida Chaplains Association and the South Florida Chaplains Association, and was recently elected as President of the National Association of Jewish Chaplains.
Rabbi Schiff is married to the former Shirley Miller, and they have three sons, Elliott, Jeffrey and Steven, as well as seven grandchildren.
Rabbi Schiff is an exemplary man of faith, and all of us in south Florida share tremendous pride that he is here with us today.
Welcome, Solomon Schiff, the rabbi of our community.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Heavenly Creator, we ask for Thy blessings upon the Members of this sanctified chamber who have accepted the sacred responsibility to serve with partiality to none and compassion to all. May their deliberations be guided by wisdom, purpose, and dedication.
Bless, we pray, our Nation. Thou has created this land as a haven of hope for the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free. From the raw elements of justice, liberty, and equality, Thou has created here Heaven on Earth. May we ever remain worthy of this precious gift.
May this Nation serve as an inspiring beacon, whose light will dispel the darkness of despair and will guide the ship of mankind safely home to the port of peace. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory