Rabbi Bruce Lustig
Washington Hebrew Congregation
Washington, DC
Sponsor: Rep. Jamie Raskin, (D-MD)
Date of Prayer: 05/16/2019
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Rabbi Bruce Lustig, who just
led us in this wonderful opening prayer.
Rabbi Lustig is senior rabbi of the Washington Hebrew Congregation, which is Washington, D.C.'s largest and oldest synagogue and where many of my constituents worship.
The son of a refugee from Nazi Germany, his mother, Hedy Lustig,
Rabbi Lustig grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was often the
only Jewish child at school. The strong cultural identity instilled by his mother, and the emphasis his family placed on engaging with his
Christian friends and classmates, laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to interfaith work, including his efforts to open dialogue and strengthen relationships among Jews, Christians, Muslims, and people of all faiths.
Ordained at the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion,
Rabbi Lustig holds a doctorate of divinity and a master's degree in
Hebrew letters. He earned his bachelor's with honors from the
University of Tennessee.
In delivering today's opening prayer in the House, Rabbi Lustig
continues a venerable and important tradition. Since the Washington
Hebrew Congregation was created in 1862, every single one of its senior
rabbis has delivered an opening prayer before the U.S. Congress. Rabbi
Lustig now joins that esteemed group.
Mr. Speaker, I am honored to welcome Rabbi Lustig to the House today, and I would like to extend my thanks for his excellent leadership in our community and for offering today's prayer.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Eternal God, without whom life has no spiritual source, no divine meaning, purpose, or destiny, but with whom there is power for the present and hope for the future, refresh our faith that the strains of life may not break our spirits. Restore our confidence that our world is undergirded by eternal purpose.
Bless those who give service of heart to this great Nation. Give them strength to temper their judgments by the compassion of the human soul.
Know that none are free until all are free, free from fear, want, bigotry, and callous hatred of the other. Let the courage of their convictions make America worthy of her past and blessed by her future.
Let not cynicism blight, nor faithlessness uproot our confidence to live as we pray, so that, unashamed, our leaders may transmit to generations to come an America better than ours.
Hear our prayer. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory