SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 646
WHEREAS, Rabbi Geoffrey W. Dennis of Congregation Kol Ami
in Flower Mound served as Chaplain of the Day for the Texas Senate
on April 3, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Dennis earned undergraduate degrees in
education and nursing and worked as a registered nurse before
entering the rabbinate; he was ordained at Hebrew Union
College--Jewish Institute of Religion and subsequently served as
assistant rabbi at the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation; since
becoming rabbi of Congregation Kol Ami, he has overseen the
implementation of innovative synagogue programming, which has
included incentive-based Jewish learning initiatives for adults
and children and an alternative Shabbat meditation service that
incorporates a labyrinth; and
WHEREAS, An adjunct professor of rabbinic literature in
the Jewish studies program at the University of North Texas,
Rabbi Dennis teaches courses on the Bible, Kabbalah, and modern
Israel; he has published articles and newspaper columns on a wide
range of theological topics, and his book The Encyclopedia of
Jewish Myth, Magic, and Mysticism was a finalist for both the
National Jewish Book Award and the Association of Jewish
Libraries Book Award in 2007; and
WHEREAS, Exceptionally active in his community of faith,
Rabbi Dennis has given generously of his time and talents to the
University of North Texas Jewish and Israel Studies Program
Steering Committee, North Texas Hillel, the Texas Health
Attending Clergy Association, and the Flower Mound/Lewisville
Ministerial Alliance; moreover, he has volunteered as a police
chaplain for the City of Flower Mound; in all his endeavors, he
enjoys the love and support of his wife, Robin, and he takes great
pride in his two sons, Avi and Micah; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, Rabbi Geoffrey Dennis has
inspired countless individuals with his message of faith and
goodwill, and it is a pleasure to have welcomed him to the Texas
Senate; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby honor Rabbi Geoffrey W. Dennis for his service
as Chaplain of the Day and extend to him sincere best wishes for
continued success with his important work; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
Rabbi Dennis as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
Taylor of Collin
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 20, 2017.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate