I am a proud Jewish American!

May is Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM). JAHM originated in 1980 when Congress passed a resolution, which authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation designating April 21-28, 1980 as Jewish Heritage Week. Following a series of annual presidential proclamations designating a week in April or May of each year as Jewish Heritage Week, President George W. Bush proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month on April 20, 2006. JAHM recognizes the 370+ year history of Jewish contributions to American society.

One of our Nation's first commitments to freedom of religion was when President George Washington visited Newport, Rhode Island in 1790 to acknowledge the state’s recent ratification of the Constitution and to promote passage of the Bill of Rights. Moses Seixas, the warden of the Touro Synagogue, welcomed President Washington. Seixas gave thanks to that the Jews, previously “deprived…of the invaluable rights of free Citizens” on account of their religion, now lived under a government “which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance.”

Following his visit, President Washington wrote to the synagogue, “May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants—while everyone shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.”

This has been the promise of America to the Jewish community – and indeed to all minority communities – for over two centuries.

JAHM serves as a poignant reminder of the invaluable contributions Jewish Americans have made to our nation’s fabric. In a time marred by chaos and a disturbing rise in antisemitism, celebrating this heritage month takes on added significance, underscoring the importance of Jewish pride and resilience.

Here are several proclamations noting Jewish American Heritage Month that we have already received (others wil be forthcoming):

City of Tigard

Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District

Rabbi Noam Marans of the American Jewish Committee wrote the following:

America, a blessing for the Jewish people; the Jewish people, a blessing for America.

And yet, even as we celebrate our heritage, synagogues, schools, and institutions are on heightened alert against those who might harm us, an anxiety magnified by the horrors of October 7 and its aftermath.

23 souls fleeing the Inquisition in Recife, Brazil began their 1654 journey to freedom in New Amsterdam. Over the objection of Peter Stuyvesant, they made it work, creating the first American Jewish congregation, Shearith Israel, today’s Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue.

As the nation was founded, we heralded our first American Jewish legend, Haym Salomon, a financier of the Revolutionary War.

America’s sacred founding texts told a new story built on biblical precepts.

“Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof,” cried out the Liberty Bell, quoting the Torah.

“All men are created equal, that they are endowed by the Creator with certain inalienable rights.”

“Happily, the government of the United States gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance,” President George Washington wrote to the Newport synagogue.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

We came to these shores by the millions, many as refugees from persecution, others looking for economic opportunity in the Golden Medina, this nation of immigrants.

Many entered New York Harbor and saw the Statue of Liberty, which inspired and ultimately bore American Jewish poet Emma Lazarus’ immortal words, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

And yet, all was not golden as we endured the lynching of Leo Frank and the antisemitic rants of Henry Ford, Charles Coughlin, and Charles Lindbergh.

The doors were not opened to save enough during the Holocaust, the tracks to Auschwitz were not bombed, the St. Louis could not find a port.

Despite the barriers, many survivors found their way to America and contributed mightily to their new country and its Jewish community.

A great moment in American Jewish history followed: President Harry Truman made the United States the first country to recognize the newborn State of Israel, inaugurating a relationship that has only strengthened over 75 years.

The best place ever in the long history of the Jewish Diaspora. And yet, the story is not over. The challenges are real, the hate can be deadly, but the opportunities for a better future remain plentiful, and the beacon of hope continues to shine brightly.

God bless America, land that I love. Stand beside her and guide her...my home sweet home.

Over the past 371 years, Jewish Americans have given to their communities and this nation as loyal and patriotic citizens, always grateful for the safe harbor that America provided for them. Jewish Americans have served in government and the military, have won Nobel prizes, advanced medicine, created art, written great American novels, taken their seat on the Supreme Court, and so much more.

Let this month be a beacon of hope and pride, illuminating the contributions of Jewish Americans as enduring threads in the fabric of our national identity. We will continue to push America to live up to its promise as a nation that upholds freedom and justice for all.

On a separate note, our second webinar focusing on teen mental wellness, in partnership with Moving Traditions and Jewish Family and Child Service, will take place on Wednesday May 7^th at 7:00 p.m. The focus is Empowering Resiliency in Jewish Teens. You can learn more and register here. 

Finally, you should have received your voter's pamphlet for the upcoming local elections, including open school board positions. We are reaching out to as many school board candidates as we can. Several have accepted our invitation and others have not. The Jewish Federation does not endorse candidates, yet we encourage you to learn and read about each candidate, including who has endorsed them.

Shabbat shalom.