Rabbi Jeremy Wiederhorn
The Conservative Synagogue
Westport, CT
Sponsor: Rep. Jim Himes, (D-CT)
Date of Prayer: 05/24/2011
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. HIMES. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It is a thrill and an honor this morning on this propitious day in which a joint session of the United States Congress will be addressed by Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel to introduce and welcome our guest chaplain of the day, Rabbi Jeremy Wiederhorn. Rabbi Wiederhorn is a friend, he is the spiritual leader of The Conservative Synagogue of Westport, and has been so since 2008. Prior to doing that, he gave service in Henderson, Nevada, for 8 years. He is a leader in the community and in his synagogue. He is also true to the ministry dictated by his and so many of our faiths, including, over time, having led and mobilized his community to send an emergency mission to Israel in response to the missile strikes from Hamas in Gaza.
It is a real honor. I know Rabbi Wiederhorn has served as an important leader in Westport and throughout Fairfield County. He has served as a friend to me. I would say that in addition to his spiritual guidance, he introduced me to cholent, which for this Presbyterian was a new experience. I think I thank him for introducing me to that part of his history and culture, if not exactly for the culinary experience.
Welcome, Rabbi Wiederhorn.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Dear God, source of all strength, compassion, and peace:
We know that our time on this earth is preciously short, so please:
Open our eyes to the beauty of the world around us.
Remind us that each person we encounter is created in Your image.
Provide us with the integrity, wisdom, and patience to listen to those with whom we do not agree, and learn from those who we might otherwise not hear.
Protect the courageous men and women who put their lives in danger each day so that our children can live safely and without fear.
And finally, bless our leaders and advisors�including the dedicated men and women of this United States Congress, who assiduously seek to protect our sacred democratic values at home and abroad�and may You grant them the vision to look ahead to our future, without forgetting the lessons of our past. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory