May 17, 2022
City Council
DATE: May 17, 2022
TO: Members of the City Council
FROM:
Vice Mayor Eduardo Martinez and Mayor Tom Butt
Subject:
Jewish American Heritage Month Recognition
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact related to this item.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
The City of Richmond has routinely recognized Jewish
American Heritage Month.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
May is Jewish American Heritage Month
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
PROCLAMATION recognizing the month of May as
Jewish American Heritage Month - Vice Mayor Eduardo
Martinez (510-620-6593) and Mayor Tom Butt (510-620-
6503).
DISCUSSION:
May is Jewish American Heritage Month – a time to commemorate the more than 350- year history of Jewish contributions to American society.
This year, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) has encouraged cities and counties across the Bay Area to recognize and celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month. The JCRC and the City of Richmond believes education about Jewish identity and the contributions of Jewish Americans is a critical antidote to the rampant antisemitism the Jewish community is experiencing today.
AGENDA
REPORT
May 17, 2022
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 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.
There is a need for education and policies that are culturally competent when describing, discussing, or addressing the impacts of being Jewish in all aspects of American society, including discourse and policy.
We celebrate the rich and diverse heritage of the Jewish American community, including those who live, work and play in Richmond and, we recognize Jewish American commitment to civic engagement.
The City of Richmond will continue efforts to confront antisemitism and other forms of hate impacting the Jewish community, support local education about the diversity of our Jewish American community, and integrate Jewish American culture into future programs, activities, and ceremonies throughout the year.
For more information, visit the following websites.
https://jewishfed.org/sites/default/files/An_Integrative_Report_from_the_Bay_Area_Jewi sh_Community_Study.pdf
https://jewsofcolorfieldbuilding.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Counting- Inconsistencies-052119.pdf
https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/publications/doclib/2021/2.shnatonpopulation/st02_08.pdf https://crime-data-explorer.fr.cloud.gov/pages/explorer/crime/hate-crime https://www.adl.org/blog/antisemitic-incidents-reported-to-adl-increase-sharply-during- israel-hamas-conflict
https://www.sdjewishworld.com/2021/09/20/survey-finds-jewish-college-students-fear- for-their-safety/
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Proclamation