Press Releases

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) today welcomed Rabbi Levi Slonim from Binghamton as he offered the opening prayer for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Rabbi Slonim's opening prayer can be viewed here.

Rep. Molinaro's remarks, as prepared for delivery, can be found below and viewed here.

It’s truly a high honor to have Rabbi Levi Slonim as our guest chaplain today.

Rabbi Slonim co-directs Chabad Downtown in Binghamton, NY alongside his wife, Hadasa, and is also the Director of Development at the Rohr Chabad Center for Jewish Student Life at Binghamton University.

His faith journey began as a child in Binghamton when his parents, guided by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, established a Chabad presence there in 1985. What started in a modest one-bedroom apartment has grown into a thriving hub that welcomes over 1500 students each semester.

Rabbi Slonim's work has also taken him across the globe, providing programming in the United States and communities across Europe. Since returning to Binghamton in 2008, he has initiated impactful programs like the Binghamton JGC, the ‘Listen Up’ mental health fellowship, and has led over 800 students on Birthright trips to Israel.

Rabbi Levi Slonim, welcome and thank you for being here. Your dedication to faith, education, and community service is an inspiration to us all.

Background:

Every legislative session, dating back to the First Continental Congress in 1774, has opened up with a prayer. A permanent chaplain position was officially established in 1789, but at the request of members of Congress, a local minister may offer the opening prayer.

Rabbi Levi Slonim is a Binghamton native. He attended the Rabbinical College of Canada and earned his Rabbinic ordination from the Central Rabbinic Court of Chabad of Israel in 2006. His work has taken him across the globe, providing programming in the United States and communities across Europe. He returned to Binghamton in 2008 to join the team at the Chabad Center - established by his parents Rabbi Aaron and Rivkah Slonim in 1985 - serving the large demographic of Jewish students at Binghamton University and the local Broome County community as Director of Development.