Phil Friday: May is Jewish American Heritage Month

Started under President George W. Bush, Jewish American Heritage Month encourages us to pause and take pride in everything the Jewish people have accomplished as American citizens.  
 
When I think about American Jewish history, I think about Ellis Island and how America was the safe haven for so many Jewish refugees, especially in the late 19th and early 20th Century. I think of great scientists such as Jonas Salk, the inventor of the polio vaccine I think of sports legends such as Olympic swimmer Mark Spitz and baseball pitcher Sandy Koufax. I think of Jewish leaders in the civil rights movement, and the many Jewish politicians today in Congress and in many other seats of leadership across the country. And as a UNC alumnus, I still appreciate that the coach of the Duke men’s basketball team, Jon Scheyer, is Jewish.
 
I also think of all the great things happening across Greater Raleigh. There is a lot to be proud of and thankful for. There is also still work to be done. From rising antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric, to incidents in our schools, we in the Jewish community still have work to safeguard our place in American society both for ourselves and for others facing bias and hatred.
 
And yet, I feel hopeful, as the Jewish community in Greater Raleigh has great support. Each time there is an incident and we have reached out to local government or law enforcement officials, I have always felt their care and concern for what we are facing. Leaders have pledged increased awareness, support, and swift action to help remedy issues we are facing.
 
This week we have a chance to say thank you, as our Jewish Federation is honored to host the Wake County Board of Commissioners for an event where they will officially proclaim May as Jewish American Heritage Month. We will post pictures and the official proclamation after the event. If you are interested in attending the event, contact Mindy Lawton at Mindy.Lawton@shalomraleigh.org.
 
Shabbat shalom!
Phil

(L to R) Eddie Cantor, Albert Einstein, Sammy Davis Jr., Ruth Bader Ginsburg