Proclamation Recognizing May as Jewish American Heritage Month WHEREAS, Jewish Americans have been an important part of the American story and have greatly contributed to all areas of American life and culture since our nation’s earliest days; and WHEREAS, on April 20, 2006, the Federal Government proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month, stating, “As a nation of immigrants, the United States is better and stronger because Jewish people from all over the world have chosen to become American citizens,” and, since then, proclamations in support of Jewish American Heritage Month have been made by Presidents of the United States annually; and
WHEREAS, generations of Jews have fled to the United States in search of a better life for themselves and their families, and these immigrants made invaluable contributions in support of equality and civil rights through their leadership and achievements; and WHEREAS, Jewish Americans connect to their Jewish identity in a variety of ways, such as culturally, ethnically, religiously and by following Jewish ethics and values; and WHEREAS, Jewish Americans are racially, ethnically, socially, politically and economically diverse, with approximately 12-15 percent of Jews in the United States being individuals of color; and WHEREAS, in the Bay Area around 25 percent of Bay Area Jewish households include a person of color, and this increases to nearly 40 percent of households if the head of the household is younger than 35; and
WHEREAS, in recent years, Jewish Americans have increasingly experienced antisemitism, including but not limited to physical attacks, vandalism, verbal and physical harassment, and hateful comments posted on social media; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond shares an obligation to condemn and combat antisemitism wherever it exists, to include Jewish Americans in all facets of civic life, and to stand with the Jewish American community against hatred or bigotry in our city and country.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Richmond on this day, May 17, 2022, hereby recognizes Jewish American Heritage Month and calls upon all residents to celebrate Jewish Americans who have woven the fabric of our country and community, and supports opportunities to learn more about Jewish American history and culture.
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M a y o r V i c e M a y o r