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