Rabbi Yosef Greenberg of Alaska to Open Senate with Prayer
Murkowski Invites Alaskan Rabbi to Washington, D.C.
Rabbi Yosef Greenberg of the Lubavitch Jewish Center of Alaska in Anchorage has been designated as Guest Chaplain of the United States Senate for Wednesday, February 3rd. Rabbi Greenberg will deliver the daily prayer at the opening of Wednesday’s session of the U.S. Senate.
Rabbi Greenberg was nominated for this honor by Senator Lisa Murkowski, and is the first Rabbi from Alaska to serve as Guest Chaplain for the U.S. Senate. The prayer will be televised live on C-SPAN2 (GCI Cable: Channel 17) and can also be viewed at http://www.senate.gov/floor/index.htm.
“This is an incredible honor for not just Alaska’s Jewish community, but for the entire state of Alaska, for Rabbi Greenberg to open the U.S. Senate in prayer—a time-honored tradition,” said Senator Murkowski. “Rabbi Greenberg and his wife Esty have been tremendous forces revitalizing Jewish communities throughout Alaska. He was not only the driving force behind creation of Alaska’s first Jewish history museum, but is also known throughout the state for his inclusiveness.”
Rabbi Greenberg will be Senator Murkowski’s guest at the interdenominational National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, February 4th.
Background: This is believed to only be the third time that an Alaskan has served as Guest Chaplain, with Reverend Norman H.V. Elliott serving in both 1999 and 2004. Guest Chaplains, recommended by Senators to deliver the session's opening prayer in place of the Senate Chaplain, have represented all the world's major religious faiths.
NOTE TO EDITORS: The starting time of Wednesday’s session of the United States Senate will be announced on Tuesday evening. The Senate is typically to order between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM Eastern time (5:00 AM and 6:00 AM Alaska time). We will notify you this evening when the starting time of Wednesday’s session will be.
