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WHEREAS, Rabbi James A. “Jamie’ Gibson graduated from the University of Michigan and was ordained by the Hebrew Union College’s Jewish Institute of Religion. He also holds a Masters of Arts in Hebrew Letters and an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity; and,
WHEREAS, in 1988, Rabbi Gibson joined the clergy as a Rabbi at Temple Sinai in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood, and over the last three decades at the synagogue, he has become a pillar in his congregation, the city of Pittsburgh, and the broader United Reform Jewish movement worldwide; and,
WHEREAS, now Temple Sinai’s Senior Rabbi, Rabbi Gibson has played an integral role in growing the synagogue’s congregational membership and strengthening its impact on the community. He has served as a beloved teacher of Jewish life, developed the Tikkun Olam Center for Social Justice, and led efforts to build a more inclusive house of worship for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals with differing abilities, and interfaith families; and,
WHEREAS, as a leader within the United Reform Judaism movement, Rabbi Gibson’s contributions have transcended his own congregation. He has served as a Rabbinic Cabinet Member of the Jewish Federation of North America, the Co-Chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Mission to Israel, and Past Chair of the Greater Pittsburgh Rabbinical Association. In 2010, he earned the prestigious Senior Fellowship for Jewish Spirituality at the Shalom-Hartman Institute in Jerusalem; and,
WHEREAS, Rabbi Gibson is an interfaith activist, working with other clergy members throughout Pittsburgh to promote the ideals of unity, peace, spirituality, and inclusion and advocate for social justice. He has served as an active leader in Pittsburgh’s ongoing Black-Jewish dialogue, the Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network, the Greater Pittsburgh Priest-Rabbi Dialogue, and the Muslim Community on Interfaith Dialogue; and,
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby celebrate the vast contributions of Rabbi James A. “Jamie” Gibson over the last thirty years and recognize him for his efforts to build a more peaceful and inclusive Pittsburgh; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Sunday, April 29 to be “Rabbi Jamie Gibson’s 30th Anniversary Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.