RECOGNIZING TEMPLE SINAI'S 18TH BIRTHDAY MAZEL FEST

RECOGNIZING TEMPLE SINAI'S 18TH BIRTHDAY MAZEL FEST

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 58 (Friday, March 27, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 58 (Friday, March 27, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E285] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING TEMPLE SINAI'S 18TH BIRTHDAY MAZEL FEST ______ HON. SUSIE LEE of nevada in the house of representatives Friday, March 27, 2026 Ms. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate a milestone for the Jewish community in southern Nevada-- Temple Sinai's 18th Birthday Mazel Fest taking place on April 11, 2026. In 1992, former members of Beth Am established Adat Ari El. They had humble beginnings, with around 15 families and held services in a storefront with a visiting Rabbi. Throughout the years, the Temple Sinai family has remained a vibrant, thriving community that holds close its core values and vision of worship, is vested in the community, and is alive with congregants and students who are enriching the lives of others. Temple Sinai is a community treasure for our families, with multiple touch points throughout the Jewish life cycle, from preschool to exclusive senior programming. Their vision reflects the passion, dedication, and commitment of its congregational family to look forward and strive to attain its goals for the future. As Temple Sinai celebrates 18 years, this milestone carries deeper meaning in Hebrew tradition, where the number 18 symbolizes ``Chai,'' the Hebrew word for life. Because Hebrew letters have numerical values (gematria), the letters chet (8) and yud (10) add up to 18, making it a lucky number representing life, vitality, and good fortune. Under the current leadership of Rabbi Ilana G. Baden, Cantor David Perper, and all its staff, Temple Sinai is a cornerstone of our strong, vibrant Jewish community across the valley. They are a beacon of hope, compassion, soulful worship, and lifelong education providing a sanctuary for spiritual growth, cultural celebration, and community engagement. On this historic occasion, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Temple Sinai and its dedicated members who contribute to its enduring legacy in southern Nevada. ____________________