Press Release
☷A Proclamation on Jewish American Heritage Month 2022
White House ( By Press Release office)
Apr 29,2022
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In 1654 , a small ship carrying 23 Jewish refugees sailed into the port of present - day New York City . Fleeing oppression and discrimination , these courageous women and men faced resistance from the colony’s leaders . Nevertheless , they secured the right to remain and became the first Jewish communal presence to settle on American soil . In so doing , they expanded the frontier of religious freedoms that would help define the bedrock principles upon which this Nation was built . During Jewish American Heritage Month , we honor these 23 refugees and the centuries of successive generations of Jewish Americans , who — shaped by their own encounters with prejudice , persecution , and the promise of a better tomorrow — have emboldened our Nation to stand up for justice , equality , and freedom . The story of America was written , in part , by Jewish Americans who , through their words and actions , embraced the opportunity and responsibility of citizenship knowing full well that democracy is not born , nor sustained , by accident . Inspired by Jewish American communal leadership , our Nation’s first President pledged that our Government will “give to bigotry no sanction , to persecution no assistance . ” Inspired by Jewish American poetry , our shores have welcomed millions with the words “Give me your tired , your poor , your huddled masses yearning to be free . ” Throughout our country’s history , Jewish Americans have proudly served our Nation in uniform , in elected office , and on our Nation’s highest courts . They have made enormous contributions to America’s cultural , scientific , artistic , and intellectual life , and they have marched , petitioned , and boarded buses to demand civil and political rights for all — from women’s rights to voting rights to workers’ rights . Today , we continue to strive to live up to our founding ideals . As the scourge of white supremacy and antisemitic violence rises , my Administration remains committed to ensuring that hate has no safe harbor . That is why we have created new laws that give us more tools to combat hate crimes; developed the first - ever National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism; provided assistance to religious organizations , places of worship , and nonprofits to protect their facilities and members; and named a new Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism . My Administration will use the full force of our judicial system to confront bigotry and antisemitism wherever and whenever it surfaces . The Jewish American story , and the story of our Nation as a whole , is fueled by faith , resilience , and hope . It is a story defined by a firm belief in possibilities , the resolve to make real the promise of America for all Americans , and a commitment to perfecting our Union , heeding the timeless words of Rabbi Tarfon , the first - century scholar who taught “It is not your duty to finish the work , but neither are you at liberty to neglect it . ”Three - hundred and sixty - eight years after those 23 brave Jewish refugees arrived in America , Jewish Americans continue to help our country thrive and prosper . This month , we honor the timeless traditions , heritage , and contributions of Jewish Americans that drive our progress as a Nation each and every day . NOW , THEREFORE , I , JOSEPH R . BIDEN JR . , President of the United States of America , by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States , do hereby proclaim May 2022 as Jewish American Heritage Month . I call upon all Americans to visit JewishHeritageMonth . gov to learn more about the heritage and contributions of Jewish Americans and to observe this month with appropriate programs , activities , and ceremonies . IN WITNESS WHEREOF , I have hereunto set my hand this twenty - ninth day of April , in the year two thousand twenty - two , and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty - sixth . JOSEPH R . BIDEN JR .
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