Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Temple Beth David, which will be celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. In the past 60 years, the temple has grown into a vibrant community dedicated to the values of Judaism including spiritual discovery, educational richness, and the love and kindness of community and personal responsibility.
Founded by 10 families in 1947, Temple Beth David was the first reform synagogue in the San Gabriel Valley. The original founder, Flora Kahn, is still a member of the congregation. Since its inception, the temple has seen its membership grow to 195 families, spanning the generations. The community welcomes all Jews as well as interfaith couples and encourages non-Jewish spouses to participate in temple life.
Rabbi Alan Lachtman has been with the temple in his current position since 1976. A retired Lieutenant Colonel from the Army Reserves, Rabbi Lachtman has a degree in Marriage Family Therapy and received the Doctorate of Divinity from Hebrew Union College in 1999. He currently teaches at the University of Judaism, and works closely with the American Jewish Committee and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
A dynamic and active temple, Temple Beth David encourages congregant participation and offers a wide variety of programs from interfaith programs and social action projects to religious and Hebrew schools. Demonstrating a commitment to all members of the community, Temple Beth David offers not only youth scholarships but also an array of adult education programs for those who seek a greater understanding of Judaism.
Committed participants not only in temple life but in the larger world as well, the members of Temple Beth David have recently joined the interfaith chorus calling for U.S. Government intervention in Darfur. Along with Rabbi Lachtman, the 195 families of the temple, mindful of their own community's history, are activists for the civilians in Darfur.
It is my privilege to honor Temple Beth David on its anniversary of 60 years of active community and fulfillment in Judaism. I ask all members to join me in wishing the Temple Beth David and its congregants continued success.