STAFF REPORT
Heritage Month in May 2024
Attachments: None
INTRODUCTION
At the request of the City Council, Community Services curated a series of events and educational programming throughout the month of May 2023, celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month. This year’s Jewish American Heritage Month celebrations will incorporate the successful program elements that comprised last year’s celebration, with some additional components expanding the programs and events offered to the community.
DISCUSSION
During the March 7, 2023, City Council Study Session, at the request of then Mayor Bosse and Councilmember Mirisch, Community Services staff presented plans for educational programing and events to occur during the month of May, in recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month. Staff proposed programming that would include displaying relevant books and audiovisual items within the Beverly Hills Public Library collection, creating a bibliographic compilation of resources displayed on the City’s website, a musical performance at the Beverly Hills Farmers Market, and hosting a Critical Conversation event in conjunction with the Human Relations Commission, celebrating Jewish American Heritage month.
Based on the guidance from the City Council on March 7th, Community Services staff moved forward with the direction, and produced a series of educational programming and events throughout the month, celebrating and recognizing the achievements and contributions of Jewish Americans for Jewish American Heritage month. This compilation of month-long programs included:
− Book and audiovisual display at the Beverly Hills Public Library − E-resources and links on the Library webpage
− Weekly movie screenings celebrating Jewish Americans at Roxbury Park Community Center
− Online Classic Babka Making Master Class
Meeting Date: February 6, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Matthew Brown, Recreation Services Manager
Subject: Educational Programming and Events for Jewish American Meeting Date: February 6, 2024
− Song and dance tribute to Jewish heritage at Roxbury Park Community Center − Rugelach baking contest at the Beverly Hills Farmers Market − “Shalom Stories” Storytime event at the Library
− Critical Conversations speaker series event at the Municipal Gallery.
Planning for the May 2024 Jewish American Heritage Month celebration is underway and ongoing. Event planning includes identifying strategies to again incorporate written and audiovisual components at the Library, hosting a Critical Conversation, film screenings, musical performances, artistic instruction, baking contests and celebrations of cultural foods, as well as new elements including community storytelling, fostering inter-generational connections, and artistic displays - all celebrating and highlighting Jewish American culture and Jewish heritage.
FISCAL IMPACT
The costs of the 2024 Jewish American Heritage Month celebrations will be incorporated within the existing Community Services Department budget.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council receive and file this report as it is for informational purposes only.
Stephanie Harris,
Director of Community Services
Approved By