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Shabbat Services Included in Bush’s Inaugural Program

January 12, 1989
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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Shabbat services will be conducted at two Washington synagogues for the inauguration of George Bush as president, the first time Jewish services have been part of the official inaugural program.

The services will take place on Jan. 21– the day after Bush and Vice President-elect Dan Quayle are inaugurated — at Washington’s Conservative Adas Israel Congregation and Orthodox Beth Sholom Congregation.

As of Wednesday, no decision had been made on which rabbi would offer a prayer at the swearing-in ceremony of Bush and Quayle, said Howard Mortman, director of the 1989 Jewish Inaugural Advisory Committee. He said several rabbis are being considered.

Max Fisher, of Detroit, is the honorary chairman of the 84-member advisory committee, and Gordon Zacks, of Columbus, Ohio, is the national chairman.

Committee members include four former chairmen of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations — Morris Abram, Julius Berman, Kenneth Bialkin and Jacob Stein.

Seven rabbis are on the committee, including Marvin Hier, dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center; Wolfe Kelman, executive vice president of the Rabbinical Assembly of America; and Arthur Schneier, of Park East Synagogue in New York.

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