|
November 13, 1998/ 24 Cheshvan 5759, Vol. 51, No. 8
Bisman honoredRabbi Mark Bisman of Scottsdale's Har Zion Congregation was among three rabbis from the western United States honored recently by the Jewish Theological Seminary for their years of service to the Jewish community and the Conservative movement.Bisman was honored at a New York ceremony Nov. 4, along with Rabbi Aaron Kriegel and Rabbi Sidney Guthman, both of California. Bisman graduated from JTS 25 years ago, and recently completed a master's degree in social work from Arizona State University. Under Bisman's guidance, his congregation has grown in size from fewer than 180 members to nearly 500. Bisman is the founder of Har Zion Lehrhaus, an adult education program. The senior rabbi at Temple Ner Maarav in Encino, Calif., Kriegel has led the Los Angeles Rabbinic Delegation to Germany, held the national chair of the 1994 JNF mission to Israel and founded the Valley Interfaith Clergy Council. He was awarded a Los Angeles Rabbinic Fellowship to study at the Hartman Institute in Israel. Guthman's 60 years in the rabbinate is marked by years of service in various pulpits and an extensive devotion to community affairs. Guthman has served as the spiritual leader of synagogues in New England, Texas and California. He was the chaplain at the Veteran's Administration Medical Center in Long Beach, Calif., as well as at the Federal Correctional Institution at San Pedro. During a tenure as president of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, he was awarded its Humanitarian Award. Among other things, Guthman delivered an opening prayer before Congress, and marched with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Alabama. |
