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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Congregation Beth Israel of Austin is celebrating |
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the 135th anniversary of its founding in 2011; and |
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WHEREAS, On September 24, 1876, a group of 30 Jews gathered at |
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the Odd Fellow's Hall at Sixth Street and Congress Avenue and |
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started Congregation Beth Israel; members completed their first |
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temple in 1884 at the corner of 11th Street and San Jacinto |
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Boulevard and hired the first full-time rabbi in 1892; through the |
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decades, the congregation has grown and prospered, becoming a focal |
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point of worship and social interaction for the Jewish community of |
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Central Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, Beth Israel has played a vital role in the lives of |
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its congregants over the course of its history; education for both |
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young and old is a continuing priority, and great emphasis is placed |
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on Hebrew school and the study of the Torah; and |
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WHEREAS, As Austin's population has expanded, so too has the |
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congregation's membership, which nearly doubled between 1983 and |
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1995; Beth Israel's mission has been furthered by such groups as the |
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Sisterhood and the Brotherhood; founded in 1940, the CBI Sisterhood |
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carries out a variety of educational, social, and religious |
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programs and projects; the men's service committee, the |
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Brotherhood, was begun in 1955 and sponsors cultural and |
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recreational activities in addition to its myriad other |
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contributions to the congregation; and |
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WHEREAS, Beth Israel is also a positive force in the greater |
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Austin community; its Mitzvah of the Month initiative provides |
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donations to worthy organizations that have included the Town Lake |
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Animal Center, Micah 6 of Austin, SafePlace, and Barbara Jordan |
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Elementary School; and |
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WHEREAS, Congregation Beth Israel has long served as a source |
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of inspiration and guidance to those who worship there, and its |
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continued existence is a tribute to the unwavering commitment of |
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its members and clergy, both past and present; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate all those associated with |
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Congregation Beth Israel on its 135th anniversary and extend to |
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them sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Congregation Beth Israel as an expression of high |
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regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |