Proclamation references Chabad of Poway shooting
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — President Trump sent a congratulatory letter to Israeli President Rivlin on Israeli Independence Day. In that letter, President Trump expressed his “tremendous pride that the United States was the first country to recognize the newly re-established Jewish State in 1948.”
He also signed a proclamation declaring May to be Jewish-American Heritage Month in the U.S.
President Trump’s letter to Israel in full:
“Dear President Rivlin:
The United States of America proudly joins you in commemorating the 72nd anniversary of Israel’s independence.
It gives me tremendous pride that the United States was the first country to recognize the newly re-established Jewish State in 1948.
Exactly seven decades to the day after Prime Minister Ben Gurion declared Israel’s independence, Israel and the United States shared another historic moment when the United States opened its embassy in Israel’s capital city, Jerusalem. This achievement has been one of many significant actions by my Administration to rebuild the U.S.-Israel relationship. This special relationship is built on our deeply rooted shared values. Israel is one of America’s closest partners, and I look forward to continuing the productive U.S.-Israel relationship in the coming year.
This Independence Day will occur as the world struggles to confront the challenges presented by COVID-19, and I want to commend our continuing close collaboration to protect our people and defeat this pandemic together.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Trump
And on the same day, President Trump issued the following Proclamation:
Proclamation on Jewish American Heritage Month, May 2020
Issued on: April 29, 2020
In 1654, the first Jewish settlers arrived in New Amsterdam, present day New York City, seeking the freedom to practice their faith. In the centuries since, Jewish Americans have contributed in countless ways to our country’s culture and character. From the arts and sciences to business and public service, nearly every facet of our society has benefited from the talent, inspiration, vision, expertise, ingenuity, and sacrifice of Jewish Americans. We honor their spirit and resiliency during Jewish American Heritage Month and celebrate the myriad of ways they enrich our country and the world.
Throughout history, the Jewish people have demonstrated an unbreakable spirit, overcoming suffering, cruel oppression, violence, and bigotry. Tragically, Jewish men, women, and children continue to face anti-Semitic discrimination, persecution, and violence today, and Jewish institutions and places of worship remain targets of vandalism and destruction. Our country has wept too many times in the aftermaths of horrific attacks, including last April when a murderer opened fire in a synagogue in Poway, California, taking innocent life and shattering families in a cowardly display of evil. Such unconscionable acts are an abomination to all decent and compassionate people. Hatred is intolerable and has no place in our hearts or in our society. We must therefore vigorously confront anti-Semitic discrimination and violence against members of the Jewish community. That is why I signed an Executive Order last December, bolstering my Administration’s efforts to combat the rise of anti-Semitism in the United States and build a culture of respect, humanity, and equality.
This month, we reaffirm our commitment to never compromise our steadfast support for the Jewish community, our rejection of anti-Semitic bigotry, and our disdain for malicious attacks of hatred. Jewish Americans strengthen, sustain, and inspire our country through dedication to family, respect for cherished traditions, and commitment to the values of justice and equality that unite Americans of every faith and background. We give thanks for the profound contributions that Jewish Americans continue to make to our society, and way of life.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 2020 as Jewish American Heritage Month. I call upon Americans to celebrate the heritage and contributions of American Jews and to observe this month with appropriate programs, activities, and ceremonies.
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Preceding provided by the “Jews Choose Trump” campaign organization
The National Museum of American Jewish history sent out this news release:
PHILADELPHIA—Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) is a national commemoration of the contributions that American Jews have made to the fabric of our nation’s history, culture, and society. Established by presidential proclamation in 2006 and renewed every year since, JAHM encourages people of all backgrounds to learn about and draw inspiration from the more than 365-year history of Jewish life in this country. The National Museum of American Jewish History (NMAJH) is proud to spearhead the national effort to commemorate and raise awareness for JAHM again this year, in particular as the world perseveres through this unexpectedly challenging season.
Throughout May, NMAJH will virtually bring to life the stories of resilience, determination, aspiration, and achievement central to the stories of Jewish history in this country. Through activities such as a virtual gallery dedicated to nursing, online scholar talks dedicated to historical American Jewish perseverance in the face of crisis, performances, and more, NMAJH is curating virtual opportunities to bring people together for education and celebration at a time when it is more important than ever to stay connected and uplifted, and to be reminded that we are resilient and we will get through it. Dozens of Jewish organizations nationally have joined as partners of JAHM to ensure JAHM reaches every corner of the country. NMAJH is sharing additional online resources from this wide swath of partners to share on JAHM’s brand-new webpage, and will continue the celebration on social media, posting content under #OurSharedHeritage and #JewishAmericanHeritageMonth.
The historian online conversations will be held on May 7, 14, 21, and 27.
“JAHM aligns squarely with NMAJH’s mission to connect Jews more closely to their heritage and to inspire in people of all backgrounds a greater appreciation for the diversity of the American experience,” says Misha Galperin, Interim CEO of NMAJH, the lead sponsor of JAHM. “The stories of American Jews are quintessential American stories. We can all understand America better when we understand how the experiences of immigrant groups, minorities, and religious communities have shaped and been shaped by this country.”