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Guest Chaplain: Rabbi David de Sola Pool, Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue (founded 1654), New York, New York
Sponsor: n/a
Date of Prayer: 28 June 1955
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God of the spirit of all living,
may Thy blessing rest on this assembly
dedicated to serve our great land
in keeping with the ideals
with which Thou didst inspire
its Founding Fathers.
Strengthen these Thy servants
with wisdom from Thee
in their ever-extending responsibilities.
Through their vision and high purpose
may the light of freedom and fellowship
for all that was kindled in this Republic
bring hope and courage to a world
that shall be united
in human brotherhood and good will
beyond national frontiers.
Help and strengthen
the Members of this powerful Government body
to further Thy teachings
of justice,
compassion,
and neighbor love,
so that soon may dawn the day foretold by Thy prophet
when nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more,[1] Isaiah 2:4, Micah 4:3
and all men, as children of Thee, the universal Father,
shall dwell in peace on this earth
as brothers. Amen.
This prayer of the guest chaplain was offered in the sixth month of the first session of the 84th US Senate, and published in the Congressional Record, vol. 101 part 7 (28 June 1955), page 9314.
Source(s)
Congressional Record, vol. 101, part 7 (28 June 1955), p. 9314
David de Sola Pool (דוד די סולה פול; 1885–1970) was the leading 20th-century Sephardic rabbi in the United States. A scholar, author, and civic leader, he was a world leader of Judaism. Born in London, England, de Sola Pool was descended from an old and renowned family of rabbis and scholars, de Sola, which traces its origins to medieval Spain. His great grandparents were Rabbi (R.) David Aaron de Sola and Rebecca Meldola, his great-great grandfather was Haham Raphael Meldola, a prominent English Rabbi. He was also related to R. Abraham de Sola, R. Henry Pereira Mendes and Dr. Frederick de Sola Mendes. He studied at the University of London. He held a doctorate in ancient languages, summa cum laude, from the University of Heidelberg. In 1907, de Sola Pool was invited to become the rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel — often called the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue — located in New York City, the oldest Jewish congregation in the United States. He served as its rabbi for 63 years.
The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress, published by the United States Government Printing Office and issued when Congress is in session. Indexes are issued approximately every two weeks. At the end of a session of Congress, the daily editions are compiled in bound volumes constituting the permanent edition. Statutory authorization for the Congressional Record is found in Chapter 9 of Title 44 of the United States Code. (wikipedia)
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