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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Congregation Emanu El in Houston is celebrating the |
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75th anniversary of its founding in 2019; and |
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WHEREAS, Established in 1944, Congregation Emanu El was, |
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according to its founding rabbi, Robert I. Kahn, "born of a cry for |
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freedom of pulpit and pew, a concern for K'lal Israel, the faith of |
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Israel, the land of Israel and the mission of Israel to bring light |
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into a dark world"; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1949, Congregation Emanu El moved into what has |
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been recognized as one of the most innovative and creative |
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buildings in the country; designed by congregant Lenard Gabert and |
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architectural firm MacKie & Kamrath in the style of Frank Lloyd |
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Wright, the building was formally dedicated on September 9, 1949; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Originally a congregation of 190 families in 1944, |
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Congregation Emanu El has grown into one of the largest synagogues |
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in the Union for Reform Judaism under the guidance of Rabbi Kahn and |
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Rabbi Roy A. Walter, who took over in 1978; the congregation is |
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currently led by Rabbi Oren J. Hayon; and |
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WHEREAS, Congregation Emanu El, which means "God be with us" |
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in Hebrew, has continued to make a visible and consequential impact |
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on Houston's moral, spiritual, cultural, and intellectual life; the |
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synagogue has been a leader in many areas of social action and |
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welfare, from serving the blind and feeding the hungry to |
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supporting the civil rights movement and working across faiths to |
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bring about change; and |
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WHEREAS, Congregation Emanu El has long served as a source of |
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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, both past and present; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 75th anniversary of |
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Congregation Emanu El and extend to its congregants sincere best |
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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 Emanu El as an expression of high regard |
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by the Texas House of Representatives. |