FEBRUARY 13 • 2020 | 19
Temple Israel’
s Rabbi Marla
Hornsten spent a few days
in Lansing last week, first
as the invited guest of Gov.
Gretchen Whitmer for the
State of the State address
and second to lead the Feb. 5
invocation for the Michigan
House of Representatives at
the invitation of State Rep.
Ryan Berman of Commerce
Township.
“I am really energized by
the work of our state govern-
ment and excited to engage
our students in the democrat-
ic process,” she said.
Hornsten said she was
honored to be asked to deliver
the invocation. “Particularly
in this time of division, it is
important to remember that
we actually have much in
common. When we approach
each other with compassion
and understanding, we can
get a lot accomplished.”
Hornsten’
s invocation
included the words: “As well
we know, these are challeng-
ing times in which we live.
We are too often separated
by our differences, rather
than united in our similar-
ities. But it is in our simi-
larities where our strengths
lie: our common bonds of
family, love and patriotism
— our wish to hand our
children a better world.”
She went on to say that
the Talmud teaches that “the
highest form of wisdom is
kindness.”
“As a rabbi,” she told the
lawmakers, “I do not pro-
fess to know the world of
creating legislation; but I do
know that your responsi-
bility is great and that how
you treat each other in this
House is vital to your ability
to help the good people of
our great state.”
She ended the invocation
with these final words: “God,
we seek your guidance today
and every day, as we work to
achieve these goals. Grant us
pure hearts and pure souls as
together we strive to create a
pure Michigan. Amen.”
West Bloomfi
eld Rabbi Leads
State House Invocation
State Rep. Ryan Berman (right) of Commerce Township welcomed Rabbi Marla
Hornsten to the state capitol to lead the invocation Wednesday, Feb. 5, for the
Michigan House of Representatives. Joining them at the rostrum is Speaker of
the House Lee Chatfield.
MICHIGAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JACKIE HEADAPOHL ASSOCIATE EDITOR