Magaziner Welcomes Rhode Island Cantor Dr. Joel Gluck as Guest Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) welcomed Cantor Dr. Joel Gluck of Warwick to the U.S. Capitol to serve as Guest Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives ahead of the September Jewish High Holidays. Cantor Gluck delivered the opening prayer in the House Chamber.

The House has opened its daily legislative sessions with a prayer since 1789. The Office of the Chaplain invites Members of Congress to sponsor religious leaders from across the country, representing a variety of faith traditions to serve as Guest Chaplains.

Cantor Gluck serves as the spiritual leader of United Brothers Synagogue in Bristol and artistic director of the Jewish community choir at Temple Sinai in Cranston. A former practicing podiatrist, he currently teaches human anatomy and physiology at Cranston High School West and the Community College of Rhode Island.

You can view a video of Rep. Magaziner's remarks and Cantor Gluck's prayer here.

You can read a transcript of Magaziner's remarks and Cantor Gluck's opening prayer below.

Cantor Dr. Joel Gluck

Opening Prayer on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives

Creator and protector of all. Please accept this prayer on behalf of our country and its leaders. Please give our Representatives the capability to accomplish the daunting task of making difficult decisions regarding liberty and justice for the sake of our country and its inhabitants.

Watch over our armed forces so that they can exercise their responsibilities with wisdom, moral righteousness, and justice.

May it be your will, O God, that this country remain a blessing and continue to pursue the words of the prophet Isaiah.

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war no more.

And the prophet Micah, who explained what God demands from each of us to act justly and to love.

עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו, הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵיֽנוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְעַל כָּל יֹשְׁבֵי תֵבֵל, וְאִמְרוּ: אָמֵן.

Oseh shalom bimromav, hu ya'aseh shalom aleinu, v'al kol Yisrael, v'al kol yoshvei teivel, v'imru amen.

May the One who creates peace on high bring peace to all Israel, and all who dwell on the earth, and we all say: Amen

Rep. Magaziner's Remarks:

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I am so pleased to introduce Cantor Doctor Joel Gluck of Rhode Island, who delivered today's opening prayer for the House of Representatives.

I could not think of someone better to open today's session, especially ahead of the Jewish High Holidays later this month.

Cantor Gluck is a committed member of the Rhode Island community. A native of Warwick, Rhode Island, he serves as Spiritual Leader of United Brothers Synagogue in my hometown of Bristol and as Artistic Director of Shireinu the Jewish Community Chorus of Temple Sinai in Cranston, Rhode Island.

His leadership expands beyond his faith and is recognized by others in Rhode Island. He teaches anatomy and physiology at Cranston High School West and the Community College of Rhode Island, where he is President of the Part Time Faculty Association.

I'm proud to represent Rhode Island's Second Congressional District in Congress and to call Cantor Gluck a constituent.

And I wish our Jewish neighbors in Rhode Island and across the country a meaningful holiday season.

I yield back.