Sen. Bill Cohen remarks on Rabbi Seth Frisch, Temple Beth El, Portland, Maine, March 19, 1991

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Mr. President, I take this opportunity to thank Rabbi Frisch for being with us this morning and offering the opening prayer . As my colleagues go about their legislative duties today and the days to come I hope they will reflect upon these words and truly understand the significance of what was said today. We are very, very fortunate to have a guest with such a distinguished and fascinating background. He is a young man, only 33 years of age, but he is an old and very wise soul. During his young years he had a chance to live in the region which we are talking about even today. He studied for a year at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He lived and studied with not only Israeli but also Palestinian students. He was able to visit Egypt and meet with President Anwar Sadat in his home to discuss, among many topics, America's view of the peace process. From his experience, I think he has brought great wisdom and deep understanding not only of the particulars in the Middle East but of human nature itself. Today, Rabbi Frisch, at the age of 33, serves as the rabbi and spiritual leader of Temple Beth El in Portland, ME, the largest Jewish congregation in the State. He is also the senior rabbi of the Portland Congregational Rabbinate, which includes the orthodox, conservative, and reform congregations. The State of Maine is fortunate to have such a man as a resident and servant, as are we to have him with us today. Again, my thanks to Rabbi Frisch for joining us. I wish him many years of good service to the Portland and greater Maine community.