Rabbi David-Seth Kirshner
Temple Emanu-El
Closter, NJ
Sponsor: Rep. Josh Gottheimer, (D-NJ)
Date of Prayer: 10/24/2017
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome to the U.S. House of Representatives my dear friend and my adopted rabbi, David–
Seth Kirshner, the leader of Temple Emanu–El in my congressional
district in Closter, New Jersey.
As a lifelong New Jersey resident, Rabbi Kirshner has dedicated his career to serving his family, community, and our country. Dori and David are proud and loving parents to Eve and Elias, and I am glad they are here. Rabbi Kirshner is a spiritual mentor to many and a man of deep faith, conviction, and conscience.
Temple Emanu–El has been a beacon of civic engagement, youth education, and community service in our State, and under Rabbi Kirshner's leadership, Temple Emanu–El has brought a warm and open
atmosphere that will endure for generations to come, building on its
85–year history of service to our State.
Rabbi Kirshner and Temple Emanu–El call on each of us to do our part to engage in "repair of the world," "tikkun olam," to love your neighbor as yourself, and to fulfill God's commandments with the work of our hands.
In addition to his work as rabbi of Temple Emanu–El, Rabbi Kirshner
is a leader among his colleagues, serving as the vice president of the New Jersey Board of Rabbis and as a member of the Chancellor's Rabbinic Cabinet at the Jewish Theological Seminary.
A strong advocate for the U.S.–Israel relationship, Rabbi Kirshner is on the New Jersey–Israel Commission. He is a believer that Israel is a key strategic ally and a defender of democracy and freedom against the
evils of terror.
I would like to thank Rabbi Kirshner for praying with us today and representing all faiths of the Fifth Congressional District of New Jersey.
May God continue to bless the United States of America.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
As we embark on this sacred day of work to better the lives of all Americans, we ask that You, God, help instill these leaders of the 115th Congress with patience, wisdom, empathy, and respect to achieve and exceed our goals for today and for tomorrow. Help us demonstrate our gratitude for our service people and first responders who work as our partners in fulfilling our shared mission.
God, we ask You today to disseminate Your sunlight and shower downYour rain, which will help us cultivate the seeds of securing our freedoms, celebrating our democracy, and championing tolerance for now and forever.
May it be Your will that the generations to come that will live within and lead this great Nation can enjoy the blooming flowers and sweet fruits of our labors on this sacred day.
God, we ask You to bless this Congress and these United States of America.
Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory