Obama: May is Jewish Heritage Month

[Beorn]

I can hear Æmeric's blood vessels popping.

Obama: May is Jewish Heritage Month

US President Obama has declared May Jewish American Heritage Month, saying that "among the greatest contributions of the Jewish American community ... is the example they have set for all Americans."

"They have demonstrated that Americans can choose to maintain cultural traditions while honoring the principles and beliefs that bind them together as Americans," the president continued. "Jewish American history demonstrates how America's diversity enriches and strengthens us all."
The complete proclamation is as follows:

JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2009
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
The Jewish American tradition exemplifies the strength of the American immigrant tradition. Since Jews arrived in New Amsterdam in 1654, Jewish Americans have maintained a unique identity just as they have enmeshed themselves in the fabric of the United States. This month we celebrate this inspiring and unifying narrative.
Jewish Americans across the United States practice the faith and celebrate the culture of their ancestors. Across the Nation every day, individuals emulate their forebears by seeking to perform mitzvot, the hundreds of commandments set forth in the Torah. The term "mitzvah" has come to mean "good deed," and many Jews have adopted these practices to serve their communities. Other mitzvot include observing holidays, such as Passover, which marks the exodus from Egypt; and Yom Kippur, a time to contemplate and seek forgiveness for the sins of the past year; and Shabbat, the weekly day of rest.

The focus on preserving traditions is a notable characteristic of Jewish culture. Many Jewish religious and cultural practices have developed and adapted over the millennia, yet the fundamental exhortation to ensure that long-cherished ways of life are passed on to future generations remains as strong as ever before. Many Jewish Americans carry on this belief as they instill these traditions in their children.
Seeking to preserve their culture and start anew, Jewish immigrants have departed familiar lands to pursue their own American dreams for more than 300 years. During some periods, Jews sought refuge in the United States from the horrors and tragedies of persecution, pogroms, and the Holocaust. During other times, they came to seek better lives and greater economic opportunities for themselves and their children.
Jewish Americans have immeasurably enriched our Nation. Unyielding in the face of hardship and tenacious in following their dreams, Jewish Americans have surmounted the challenges that every immigrant group faces, and have made unparalleled contributions. Many have broken new ground in the arts and sciences. Jewish American leaders have been essential to all branches and levels of government. Still more Jewish Americans ave made selfless sacrifices in our Armed Forces. The United States would not be the country we know without the achievements of Jewish Americans.
Among the greatest contributions of the Jewish American community, however, is the example they have set for all Americans. They have demonstrated that Americans can choose to maintain cultural traditions while honoring the principles and beliefs that bind them together as Americans. Jewish American history demonstrates how America's diversity enriches and strengthens us all.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 2009 as Jewish American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to commemorate the proud heritage of Jewish Americans with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA

Source


Oy Vey! The blacks have one, now the Irish and even the Jews.

Who's next? The Chinese?

[Vulpix]

Is there a list of these heritage months?

[Beorn]

Is there a list of these heritage months?

Had a quick look and it seems the months assigned are:

Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15 to October 15



Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th through October 15th. It is a national endeavor which celebrates and recognizes the rich cultural influence of Hispanics throughout the United States. This event was initiated by Congress more than twenty years ago as National Hispanic Heritage Week and was expanded to a month in 1989. During this month America celebrates Hispanic cultures, achievements, and heritage by commemorating a number of historical events. For more information, contact Cumbre.


American Indian Heritage Month: November


During this month America celebrates Native American Culture, achievements, and heritage. In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 "National American Indian Heritage Month." Similar proclamations have been issued each year since 1994.

Lesbian and Gay History Month: October


The month of October was chosen to celebrate gay and lesbian history in order to commemorate the anniversaries of the first two gay and lesbian marches on Washington. The first march was in October, 1979, and drew over 200,000, and the second in October 1987, which drew over 500,000 and had the first public viewing of the NAMES Project AIDS Quilt. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Human Rights Campaign, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and other national organizations all endorse this historical month.


ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH: February



Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is typically celebrated in May. However, due to calendar restraints, Bucknell University celebrates this month during February. During the month many ethnic groups with diverse backgrounds, histories, languages, and cultures celebrate and attempt to recognize cultural, linguistic, and ethnic diversity while celebrating common historical experiences in Asian Pacific American history. President George Bush declared Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in 1992.



Black History Month: February


Black History Month was implemented in 1976 as a month long celebration for Americans to recognize the diversity and richness of African American history and achievement. It first began in 1926 as Negro History Week and was celebrated to honor Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. Carter G. Woodson, who was upset that schools did not teach Black education, is responsible for the founding of this historical month.

Women's History Month: March


Women’s History Month began in 1987 when the National Women's History Project petitioned Congress to declare a month in which women are remembered and recognized for their accomplishments. This month is a time for schools, workplaces, and communities to obtain more detailed information and offer programs recognizing women's history.

[Stegura]

So there's no Straight, White, Christian/Gentile European-American history month?

[Loddfafner]

So there's no Straight, White, Christian/Gentile European-American history month?

I believe that is in December, around Yule.

[Birka]

So there's no Straight, White, Christian/Gentile European-American history month?

We get a day. April 15th, tax day.

[Euroblood]

Why would Whites need a History month? We may feel left out , but I like to think that our history is so great that we couldn't condense it into one month. It's a White Day, Every Day.