Lunch and Learn with Howard Mortman

Do Rabbis Pray in Congress? Yes!

Register

Congress opens each session with a prayer offered by a chaplain or guest chaplain. Among the guest chaplains: Rabbis.

When Rabbis Bless Congress: The Great American Story of Jewish Prayers on Capitol Hill” is about the rabbis. The book, published by Academic Studies Press, is an unprecedented examination of over 160 years of Jewish prayers delivered in the literal and figurative center of American democracy. The book uniquely tells the story of over 400 rabbis giving over 600 prayers since the Civil War days―who they are and what they say.

This author talk — and his book — will appeal to lovers of American history, Congress, American Jewish history, and religion.

Register before 5 p.m. October 8th for in-person lunch ($10) or by the next evening for the Zoom link.

For more information, please email Lunch and Learn.

About the Speaker

Howard Mortman holds his book and smilesHoward Mortman’s two proudest moments as a Jew came 40 years apart: His 1980 bar mitzvah held at Temple Micah — and the 2020 publication of his first book “When Rabbis Bless Congress; The Great American Story of Jewish Prayers on Capitol Hill.” Between those two milestone events, he graduated from the University of Maryland, held a number of media position in Washington DC (he is now Communications Director for C-SPAN), has done stand-up comedy at the DC Improv (he gave up comedy when audiences gave up laughing), and with his family joined Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, VA.

His primary hobby is watching rabbis pray in Congress.

He is excited to return to Temple Micah to speak about his book 40 years after he spoke about the Torah.

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