Rabbi Arthur Lelyveld of Fairmount Temple in Beachwood, Ohio, Nov. 3, 1993, House

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O thou whom we address as did our fathers, calling rabenoshel olam, Lord of the universe, our focus of ultimate value and demand, we ask again the question framed by the prophet 2,700 years ago. What is it, Lord, that thou dost require of us? Micah’s ventured assurance was only to do justly, to love mercy , and to walk with restraint before thee. [[Micah 6:8]] If this is what is required of all, how much more is demanded of the elected Representatives of our Nation, caught as they are by the stresses of political division, public pressure, and legislative conflict and, yet, expected to be exemplars of those moral ideals to which our country has always pledged loyalty? In the scriptural history which we associate with Thy name, we learn that this dilemma has ancient precedents. Jethro, the Midianite father-in-law of Moses, warned his son-in-law, the Great Lawgiver himself, that he would wear himself out were he to continue to handle the responsibilities of leadership alone. `Hear me,' said Jethro, `surround yourself with advisers and aides who are truthworthy, God-fearing persons of truth who hate corruption.' Grant us, Lord, a portion of Jethro's wisdom, that we may shape our public life to reflect that truth and probity to which we have always aspired, that we may fill these sacred Halls with a profound concern for social welfare, that we may become models of true patriotic commitment for our children, our successor generations, and that we may set a standard for the nations of the world as we continue to struggle to conquer homelessness, hunger, and lawlessness for the fulfillment of our American vision, a vision of brotherhood, justice, and peace. Amen. May this be God's will.

Stokes: I am proud that Rabbi Lelyveld has been accorded this special honor today and I rise to welcome him to this Chamber. I want to take this opportunity to share with my colleagues and the Nation some information regarding this great individual. For 28 years, Rabbi Lelyveld held the post of senior rabbi of Fairmount Temple. He was named senior rabbi emeritus in 1986. During his tenure, Rabbi Lelyveld has demonstrated commitment and devout leadership in service to the congregation. His tireless efforts have earned him the respect of his colleagues and admiration of the Cleveland community. Mr. Speaker, Rabbi Lelyveld's leadership on issues of importance to the Jewish community is longstanding. He is the founder and first president of the Jewish Peace Fellowship. And, during the early 1940's, it was Rabbi Lelyveld who was one of the first to speak out on the idea of a Jewish State. Rabbi Lelyveld is the past national president of the American Jewish Congress and the American Jewish League for Israel. In addition, he is the former national director of the B'nai B'rith Hillel foundations; the former executive director of the Community for Unity for Palestine; and the former executive vice-chairman of the American-Israel Cultural Foundation. During his lifetime, Rabbi Lelyveld has been equally committed to the struggle for civil rights and social justice. In 1964, during the civil rights movement sweeping the Nation, he traveled with other clergy to Mississippi to serve as counselors to the Commission on Race and Religion. Although severely beaten, Rabbi Lelyveld was unwavering in his determination and belief that the battle could be won. A year later, he was recognized by the NAACP for distinguished service to the organization and the cause of freedom. Just recently, Rabbi Lelyveld was presented the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Social Justice by the Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to note that education continues to play a pivotal role in the life of Rabbi Lelyveld. Students throughout the Cleveland community and our State benefit greatly from his expertise and insight. Currently, Rabbi Lelyveld serves as the Bernard Rich Hollander lecturer in Jewish thought at John Carroll University. He is also a senior teaching fellow at the Cleveland College of Jewish Studies, and a member of the advisory board of the Pastoral Psychology Institute of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Previously, Rabbi Lelyveld held the post of adjunct professor of religion at Case Western Reserve University. He has also served as a visiting scholar at the Oxford Centre for Postgraduate Hebrew Studies in Oxford, England. I should also reference the fact that Rabbi Lelyveld is a respected author of numerous books and articles on religious, social, and other issues. In 1985, Fairmount Temple dedicated the Arthur J. Lelyveld Center for Jewish Learning, largest library