2025 -- H 6357

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LC002794

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF TEMPLE EMANU-EL

     Introduced By: Representatives Ackerman, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Kislak, Knight,
McNamara, Finkelman, Boylan, Corvese, and Solomon

     Date Introduced: May 22, 2025

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, On June 14, 1924, Temple Emanu-El was founded with the purpose of

“maintaining under free American institutions a house of worship for men, women, and children

of the Hebrew faith, dedicated to God, to the traditions and ideals of Judaism, and to the spiritual,

moral, and general welfare of its members, their families and the communities of which it shall be

a part”; and

     WHEREAS, During the summer of 1924, the construction of the Temple’s building

layout had been formed and the Temple’s constitution was drafted, and with the successful efforts

to raise donations to purchase land and build the synagogue, construction soon began in 1925, on

the corner of Morris Street and Sessions Street, on a plot of land formerly part of Brown

University’s Botanical Gardens. In January of 1926, two additional lots on Taft Avenue were

acquired and ground was broken on May 23rd; and

     WHEREAS, By September of 1926, a cantor had been hired, Israel Goldman returned as

Rabbi to lead services, and although not quite completed, the congregation held its first services

in the building. By 1927, a full staff was hired and on September 18, 1927, Temple Emanu-El

was officially opened under the welcoming entablature above the main entrance inscribed with

“its ringing summons: Seek ye the Lord and live”; and

     WHEREAS, The Great Depression soon brought economic challenges to the Temple,

reducing funds available for programs, reductions followed by the elimination of the choir, pay

reductions for all staff, and a call for volunteers and donations in order to continue weekly

services; and

     WHEREAS, In 1935, a tenth-year anniversary celebration of Temple Emanu-El’s

founding was held with a service for the first group of Bat Mitzvah girls, a program with a noted

historian, a historical pageant, a religious school reunion, and a dedication of a Sefer Torah; and

     WHEREAS, Over the last 100 years, Temple Emanu-El has been “a center of Jewish life

in the historic East Side of Providence, Rhode Island” with educational programs, and social and

cultural activities, as well as myriad ways and opportunities to engage in worship; and

     WHEREAS, On May 18, 2025, Temple Emanu-El will hold a Centennial Gala

celebrating “100 years, Countless Blessings”; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

celebrates the centennial celebration of Temple Emanu-El’s founding and recognizes and

commends the Temple’s efforts as a valued and productive partner in contributing to the well-

being of its congregants and the local community; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Pam Kaitin-Miller, Temple Emanu-El

President.

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LC002794

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