Jewish American Heritage Month

It was during recess in second grade that I first understood that as a Jew I was a part of a minority in America.

When the bell rang in the middle of our intense wall ball game, the other girls decided to resume the game at recess the next day. I told them I couldn't because the next day was Rosh Hashanah and I was Jewish. They looked at me with shock. And then the questions started rolling. Why do Jews get to skip school tomorrow? What is Rosh Hashanah? Why are you Jewish?

Little did I know at the time how fortunate I was to be born at a time and in a country when identifying myself as a Jew led to curious questions and not violence! While President George W. Bush's proclamation in May 2007 of Jewish American Heritage Month (like his May 2006 proclamation) aims to remind Americans of the Jewish contribution to the United States, it reminds me that only in America could an eight-year-old girl feel proud to describe what it means to be Jewish to her Christian classmates.

Jewish American Heritage Month recognizes the contributions that American Jewry has made to the United States. Like other Heritage months, it encourages American cultural and educational institutions to promote learning about and celebration of American diversity.

In the 2006 announcement, Bush stated, "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. Since arriving in 1654, Jewish Americans have achieved great success, strengthened our country, and helped shape our way of life. Through their deep commitment to faith, family, and community, Jewish Americans remind us of a basic belief that guided the founding of this Nation: that there is an Almighty who watches over the affairs of men and values every life. The Jewish people have enriched our culture and contributed to a more compassionate and hopeful America.

And in 2007, his proclamation claims, "The faith and hard work of Jewish Americans have played an integral role in shaping the cultural fabric of America. Throughout our history, Jewish Americans have contributed to the strength of our country and the preservation of our values. The talent and imagination of these citizens have helped our Nation prosper, and their efforts continue to remind us of America's gift of religious freedom and the blessings of God's steadfast love. Jewish Americans have worked to promote civil rights and build bridges of mutual understanding among the world's religions. Their deep commitment to faith and strong ties to family enrich our country and set a positive example for others."

Florida Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who sponsored the proclamation in Congress, pointed out that Jews account for only 2 percent of the U.S. population, yet have contributed to everything from medical advances to the song God Bless America.

Jewish American History Month - like other Black History Month, Latino Heritage Month, Women's History Month and other Heritage months - encourages Americans to learn about minority cultures in America and to celebrate American diversity. In response, some cultural and educational institutions organized events focused on American Jewry. The Brooklyn Public Library, for example, offered free lectures, author talks and poetry readings focused on the Jewish experience and its influence on contemporary society in New York City and beyond.