"When Rabbis Bless Congress" by @HowardMortman ...New /unprecedented...Order: https://nitter.cf/t.co/iPLMaMhzyp ..Kirkus: "Academically detailed yet esoterically fun"
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Rabbi Arthur Schneier, Congregation B'nai Jacob, Brooklyn, NY, House of Representatives guest chaplain June 3, 1959:
"Make us realize, O Lord, that words uttered in this Chamber are carefully watched by the entire world; once spoken they are no longer controlled by the speaker."
Rabbis arrive White House ... The delegation of Rebbes and Rosh Yeshiva will reportedly meet with President Trump, a week before Rosh Hashanah
CONGRESS HISTORY MADE TODAY:
Since 1860, Jewish clergy members have opened the U.S. House or Senate in prayer 652 times.
They've all been rabbis.
Until today.
Today's House guest chaplain:
Dr. Joel Gluck -spiritual leader of the United Brothers Synagogue in Bristol, Rhode Island
Today's U.. House guest chaplain:
Rabbi Shlomo Litvin ... Chabad of the Bluegrass Lexington, Kentucky ... Member Sponsor: Rep. Andy Barr (KY-06) ... full prayer here:
youtube.com/watch?v=Fx_UF59x…
Rabbi guest chaplain in the U.S. House today:
Peter Stein, Temple B'rith Kodesh, Rochester, New York.
Full prayer video: youtube.com/watch?v=ozEoAOls…
Sponsor: @RepJoeMorelle (D-NY).
Full sponsoring remarks video: youtube.com/watch?v=k0ab6iUt…
"When Rabbis Bless Congress" retweeted
I’m proud to share this prayer for Veterans Day that I’ll offer today, here in DC: first, at the Cosmos Club, and then at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. My hope is that this will be a meaningful and inspiring day for all, as we remember the past and dream about the future.
"When Rabbis Bless Congress" retweeted
An honor to address the United States Senate in blessing today. In my words I noted that “There is a hunger in this land—Not for power, but for purpose.” I pray that every American finds their calling, and that all may know God’s love and blessing.
🎥 C-SPAN, September 10, 2025
Rabbi @AriBermanYU president @YUNews gave Senate opening prayer this morning.
Full YouTube of his prayer as guest chaplain: youtube.com/watch?v=u5PgJq-2…
Full YouTube of post-prayer remarks by @LindseyGrahamSC - youtube.com/watch?v=dGxkJt1X…
Video of Schumer remarks: youtube.com/watch?v=KfZmnCmX…
"When Rabbis Bless Congress" retweeted
“@YUNews’ Rabbi Ari Berman will serve as the Senate’s guest chaplain today. @CSPAN’s @HowardMortman, author of @CongressRabbi, notes that Berman… will become the third rabbi to have prayed both in Congress & during a presidential inauguration” @jewishinsider
jewishinsider.com/2025/09/da…
Wed: Rabbi @AriBermanYU will be Senate guest chaplain, sponsor: @SenFettermanPA ...
Rabbi Berman will join an exclusive club -- Rabbis who have prayed both in Congress AND during a presidential inauguration.
And the other 2 (Thurman/Truman and Schachtel/LBJ) also were in Senate.
. @BronteSorotsky @WTOC11 story on the passing of Savannah Georgia Rabbi Arnold Mark Belzer -- he was House guest chaplain, gave opening prayer in 1988 youtube.com/watch?v=8O22duAM…
wtoc.com/2025/07/14/it-was-a…
Mourning the loss of Rabbi Rabbi Arnold Mark Belzer ... On April 20, 1988, while his son Nathan Clay was serving as a page in the U.S. House, Rabbi Belzer gave the House opening prayer as guest chaplain ... obit here: wtoc.com/2025/07/13/beloved-… youtube.com/watch?v=8O22duAM…
"Illinois Republican mistakes Sikh for Muslim, calls him delivering prayer in House 'deeply troubling'...Howard Mortman, author of When Rabbis Bless Congress explained that diverse faith leaders have long prayed before Congress"
@emilybrooksnews @thehill
thehill.com/homenews/house/5…
First time ever the person sitting in the Speaker's chair presiding over the House of Representatives is wearing a kippah ... Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL)
Huge thanks to Bruce Schaff @anunnamedpoet for passing along this historical relic:
His late grandfather Rabbi Benzion Schaffran gave Feb. 19, 1974, House prayer (the first Lubavitch rabbi to pray in Congress and sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman) – and put it on his resume!
"Thank you ranking member Sen. Sanders for making sure the name Lubavitch is pronounced correctly."
-- Rabbi Levi Shemtov Director American Friends of Lubavitch
...Senate Hearing on Antisemitism on College Campuses
...full Shemtov opening statement here: youtube.com/watch?v=h4Y0srTo…
"When Rabbis Bless Congress" retweeted
Thank you, @WineSpectator!
academicstudiespress.com/979…
This #Passover, try this #matzo-crusted skillet #salmon with artichokes from Hélène Jawhara Piñer’s new #cookbook. @WineSpectator pairs this historical dish with 6 #kosher #Chardonnay and #SauvignonBlanc picks! #wine winespectator.com/articles/p…
Rabbi Pinchus Ciment Lubavitch of Arkansas - guest chaplain House prayer March 27, 2025:
- 648th time a rabbi has prayed in Congress
- 39th time a Chabad Lubavtich rabbi has prayed in Congress
- 4th time a rabbi from Arkansas has prayed in Congress
youtube.com/watch?v=qY7IQ5rn…
Rabbi Pinchus Ciment Lubavitch of Arkansas House prayer on March 27, 2025:
- 648th time a rabbi has prayed in Congress
- 39th time a Chabad Lubavtich rabbi has prayed in Congress
youtube.com/watch?v=qY7IQ5rn…