HR0958 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0958 LRB096 21383 GRL 37595 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to recognize and congratulate Peter S. Knobel as he retires after 30 years of outstanding leadership in the greater Jewish and non-Jewish community as the Senior Rabbi of Beth Emet the Free Synogogue (Beth Emet); and

WHEREAS, Beth Emet is a reform congregation that has served Evanston and the surrounding communities for more than 50 years; Beth Emet balances innovation and tradition in all aspects of communal life; Beth Emet seeks creative ways to integrate the new with the old in worship, education, and community-strengthening, often initiating meaningful change; and

WHEREAS, During Rabbi Knobel's tenure, he cultivated growth and change at Beth Emet and in the greater community; he represented Beth Emet while serving on the Board of many local and national institutions, including the Association of Reform Zionists of America, Union for Reform Judaism, the American Jewish Committee, the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago, and the Council for Parliament of the World's Religions; and

WHEREAS, Rabbi Knobel has been a leader in the reform Jewish movement and been a long-time advocate for social action; and

WHEREAS, As an advocate for social action, Rabbi Knobel has led and participated on committees for many of the Reform Rabbinical and nationally-recognized Jewish organizations efforts for over 40 years; and

WHEREAS, Rabbi Knobel was the Past President of the Chicago Board of Rabbis and the Chicago Association of Reform Rabbis; he co-chaired the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) Project; he was involved in the Development of Liturgy, sponsored by the Lilly Endowment and the Nathan Cummings Foundation; he chaired the CCAR Ad Hoc Siddur Editorial Committee; he served as Director of the Resource Center for Jewish Health Care Ethics and has participated as a member on the Illinois State Attorney's Task Force on the Foregoing of Life Sustaining Treatment while putting special emphasis on health, healing, death, and dying; and

WHEREAS, Rabbi Knobel's experience and education make him a sought-after speaker and nationally recognized expert in the field of Jewish studies and liturgy; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Rabbi Peter S. Knobel on all his success and wish him the best in the future as he continues to be an advocate for faith, peace, and learning for all people; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Rabbi Peter Knobel as an expression of our respect and esteem.