Rep Robert Roe remarks on Rabbi Arnold Mark Belzer, Temple Beth Rishon, Wyckoff, NJ, April 20, 1988

"When Rabbis Bless Congress: The Great American Story of Jewish Prayers on Capitol Hill" ... buy the new book here:

Full video of Rabbi Arnold Mark Belzer prayer here

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to welcome an outstanding religious leader from my Eighth Congressional District of New Jersey, Rabbi Arnold Mark Belzer of Franklin Lakes, who has offered us a most inspirational message in providing the opening prayer to our session today. Rabbi Belzer is with Temple Beth Rishon of Wyckoff, NJ, which is also known as the Wyckoff-Franklin Lakes Synagogue. Temple Beth Rishon has served as the spiritual home for a great many worshipers from the greater northwest Bergen County, NJ, area for the past 13 years. I might note that when Rabbi Belzer assumed the leadership of Temple Beth Rishon in 1981, the congregation numbered 125 families. Today, through his dynamic and visionary leadership, that number has risen to 360 families and this fine congregation is still growing. And, in addition to his congregational duties, Rabbi Belzer also serves as east coast director of the Sino-Judaic Institute and as vice president of the Mastery Foundation, an ecumenical organization which trains clergy of all denominations. Mr. Speaker, along with coming to Washington to offer our opening prayer here this morning. Rabbi Belzer has one other important mission here, to visit his son, Nathan Belzer. Nathan, who I am proud to say is my page here in Congress, has not only been elected president of his page class while maintaining a perfect 4.0 average in his studies, but also has been selected as the Speaker’s page, accomplishments of which I know his father and mother are justifiably proud. I want to invite you, Mr. Speaker, and all of our colleagues to join me in welcoming Rabbi Arnold Mark Belzer to the House this afternoon.