Rabbi Efrem Goldberg
Boca Raton Synagogue
Boca Raton, FL
Sponsor: Rep. Theodore Deutch, (D-FL)
Date of Prayer: 04/05/2011
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to welcome Rabbi Efrem Goldberg to our Nation's Capitol and thank him for delivering such an insightful opening invocation.
Rabbi Goldberg's presence here today is especially significant to me, for I regularly study under his guidance. Since entering public life, I have become all the more grateful to have him as a spiritual mentor. His insights help me serve my constituents and work to better our world in a way that honors our Jewish tradition.
As Senior Rabbi of Boca Raton Synagogue, Rabbi Goldberg leads a wonderful congregation of over 700 families and 1,200 children. This February, after an extraordinary first 5 years as Senior Rabbi, it was announced that he will continue to lead the congregation for the next decade.
His energy, vision, and wisdom touch everyone he meets, just as it did for us here this morning when he provided us with his compelling and thoughtful invocation.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Our Father in Heaven � guard the members of our esteemed House of Representatives. Instill within them the wisdom, courage and determination to provide for the physical, as well as the spiritual, well–being of the citizens of this great country.
May this body which hosts rigorous and robust debate continue to embrace diversity without resulting in divisiveness. May it seek and celebrate unity without imposing uniformity.
May this House of Representatives, together with Houses of Worship across the land, promote justice, moral clarity, ethical living, righteousness, and acts of kindness.
As a grandchild of immigrants, who fled the Nazis and came to this country 72 years ago this month to find refuge, freedom, and opportunity, I join this House in a prayer of profound gratitude and deep appreciation for the blessings we, the people of the United States of America, are privileged to enjoy.
Master of the Universe – protect our courageous armed forces, watch over our elected leaders, grant peace and prosperity to these United States and the entire world, and let us respond, Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory