Jewish American Heritage

Marina Berkovich JHSSWF President

ince Oct. 7, I find myself in numerous new Jewish circles, particularly those on social media, where tens of thousands of younger American Jews try to find some answers and understanding of a world filled with previously unexpected antisemitism. On way too many occasions, I find myself in a position of knowledge, responding to calls for the establishment of Jewish History Month in the U.S., with explanations that we already have a Jewish American Heritage Month annually in the month of May.

Why was I not surprised that so many of our youth have no idea? Because, it is not being taught or as widely publicized as, say, Black History or Women’s History months. So, I’m counting on each one of you to help me spread the word to those you know who might still be in the dark.

President George W. Bush proclaimed that May would be Jewish American Heritage Month. That announcement was made on April 20, 2006. This was the result of efforts by the Jewish Museum of Florida and South Florida Jewish leaders that led to resolutions introduced by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL) and Sen. Arlen Specter (PA). The resolutions urged the president to proclaim a month for recognizing the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American culture. These resolutions passed unanimously, first in the House of Representatives (December 2005) and later in the Senate (February 2006).

The month of May was chosen following the highly successful celebration organized by the Commission for Commemorating 350 Years of American Jewish History in 2004. Implementation of the annual celebration was led by the Jewish American Heritage Month Coalition, which was formed in March 2007. United Jewish Communities, the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives and the American Jewish Historical Society, the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration formed this coalition.

Learn more at https://www.jewish heritagemonth.gov. This site presents only a part of the digital and physical archives from the Library of Congress and other participating agencies.

How else can you help make Jewish American Heritage Month better known both locally in Florida and everywhere else in the U.S.? Come to the community lunch event on May 14 at noon to learn more. This lunch, in partnership with Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, and will achieve two goals:

• celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, aka Israel Independence Day

• teach about Jewish American Heritage Month and spread awareness throughout the community

Bring your favorite Israeli dish to share. It can be homemade or store-bought, but it must be kosher-style dairy. Attendance is free! Enjoy the tasty lunch and pick up some knowledge from charismatic impassioned speakers. Our community is united pro-Israel, so bring your friends (Jews and non-Jews) to join in! Register with Reneé by emailing RBialek@jewish naples.org. See you there!

Stay historically connected through us.

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