Recognizing Temple Beth El

Floor Speech

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Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the work of Temple Beth El, a religious organization in Bakersfield, as they celebrate their 75th anniversary.

Founded in 1947, Temple Beth El was created to help Central Valley residents embrace a lifetime of Jewish fulfillment--through faith, culture, and community. That same year, they inaugurated their first Rabbi and installed a religious school for children. Since its founding, Temple Beth El has been an inclusive and welcoming space for people of all backgrounds to explore and maintain their spiritual and emotional connection to Judaism.

Temple Beth El is a place where all are welcomed--whether they were born Jewish or found Judaism later in life. The teachings provided can open the door to a lifetime of Jewish fulfillment and commitment. The members of Temple Beth El have dedicated their lives to promoting Jewish ideas and beliefs through education and community. In December 2007, Temple Beth El opened its Torah Learning Center, which offered 8 new classrooms to teach students about Judaism and Jewish heritage. In addition to its wide range of classes, the Temple Beth El Beginning Learning Center serves as a preschool and daycare for its members and their children.

For decades, Temple Beth El has played a vital role in the Jewish community throughout the Central Valley, particularly in Bakersfield. Through their religious services and education centers, they have created a safe environment for the Bakersfield Jewish community to come together.

I ask all of my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Temple Beth El as it celebrates its 75-year anniversary.

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