THREE DECADES OF LEADERSHIP... Rabbi Mark Raphael (left), who came to Kehilat Shalom in Gaithersburg in 1996 and has been a congregational leader for 31 years, was honored by the Montgomery County Council on May 1 for his leadership and contributions to the community. Rabbi Raphael has served as chair of the board of Community Ministry of Montgomery County (now Interfaith Works) and is a national leader in “Community Organizing,” a grass-roots political action movement within synagogues and other faith communities. Councilmember George Leventhal presented a proclamation to Rabbi Raphael on behalf of the Council.