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Jewish History Month proposal up to President
Miami Herald ^ | 12-16-05 | BETH REINHARD

Posted on 12/16/2005 10:52:24 AM PST by SJackson

Jewish History Month proposal up to president

The House of Representatives approved a resolution Thursday calling on the president to proclaim January as Jewish History Month.

Quick, who was Judith Resnik? If President Bush heeds Thursday's congressional resolution urging him to designate January as Jewish History Month, schoolchildren across the nation may learn that Resnik was the first Jewish-American woman astronaut. She was killed in the 1986 explosion of the space shuttle Challenger. The Jewish history resolution was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Weston Democrat who represents Broward and Miami-Dade counties and happens to be the first Jewish congresswoman from Florida. She envisions classroom instruction, public ceremonies and broadcast announcements similar to those for black and women's history months in February and March. Whether Jewish History Month would gain that level of national acceptance and participation depends on whether it is embraced by schools and other educational institutions. ''There's a generation of children growing up with a fading memory of what happened during World War II or even an understanding of anyone who is Jewish or their culture and traditions,'' said Wasserman Schultz in a telephone interview shortly after the 423-0 vote in the House of Representatives. ``Through education comes tolerance.'' The Jewish history resolution naturally raises questions about commemorative months for other religious groups. Gary Cass, executive director of the Center for Reclaiming America, a national Christian organization based in Fort Lauderdale, said he supported any group's efforts to celebrate its heritage. But just as he and other Christian conservatives object to secular celebrations of Christmas, he objects to teaching Jewish history without talk of religious practices and values. ''We cannot seem to have an honest discussion about the Christian roots of America,'' he said. ``How much tolerance would [Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz] have for a Christian Heritage month?'' Judaism is unique, Wasserman Schultz said, because it is both a culture and a religion. She said she would not support teaching any religion in public schools. The resolution is the second Jewish-oriented measure spearheaded this month by Wasserman Schultz, who represents a heavily Democratic and Jewish congressional district. Last week, the House passed her bill preventing insurers from denying life insurance to applicants who travel to Israel or other countries perceived as dangerous. Par for the course for this first-year member of Congress viewed as a rising star. ''When an officeholder has the ability to tap into street-level issues, it's mighty important and mighty effective,'' said political consultant Roy Teicher, who works on congressional races. Wasserman Schultz's office said Sen. Arlen Specter pledged to introduce the same resolution, though Bush could act on the House resolution alone. The House stopped passing laws commemorating a certain period of time in 1995, responding to a deluge of members seeking a symbolic way to connect with certain constituents or a special interest group. But that hasn't stopped lawmakers from asking the president to issue proclamations honoring Irish-Americans, the Wright Brothers and family caregivers. A White House spokesman said the president needs time to review the Jewish history resolution. Bush has proclaimed a week in the spring as Jewish Heritage Week every year since 2001. The Jewish experience in America dates back to the arrival of 23 refugees from Brazil in 1654. Like subsequent waves of Jewish immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries, they were escaping religious persecution. Today, there are more Jews in the United States than any other country. ''As part of a pluralistic, tolerant society, it's worthwhile for schoolchildren to be instructed in the mosaic that makes up American society,'' said William Daroff, director of the United Jewish Communities' Washington office. A Jewish history month would be worthwhile, said Art Teitelbaum, southern area director for the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish civil rights organization. ''These efforts at recognizing the contributions of religious and ethnic groups should also serve as a reminder that we shouldn't confine our learning and knowledge of the people who make up America to one week or month, but to incorporate the study of our diverse population throughout our educational efforts,'' Teitelbaum said.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: americanhistory; americanjews
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1 posted on 12/16/2005 10:52:26 AM PST by SJackson
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To: dennisw; Cachelot; Nix 2; veronica; Catspaw; knighthawk; Alouette; Optimist; weikel; Lent; GregB; ..
If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

..................

Rather than this idiot proposal, why not just cancel black and women's history month in Feb and March and simply teach US history.

2 posted on 12/16/2005 10:53:28 AM PST by SJackson (There's no such thing as too late, that's why they invented death. Walter Matthau)
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To: SJackson

Judith Resnick was an astronaut


3 posted on 12/16/2005 10:53:59 AM PST by MensRightsActivist
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To: SJackson

Your tax dollars at work! What nonsense!


4 posted on 12/16/2005 10:54:08 AM PST by dropzone
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To: SJackson

Next, there'll be a Muslim history month, already have a Black history month, wonder when there'll be a Christian (non-Catholic) history month, then a separate Catholic history month, then a Wiccan history month and list gets longer, etc.


5 posted on 12/16/2005 10:55:58 AM PST by lilylangtree
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To: SJackson
Where Every Month is "Jewish History" Month
6 posted on 12/16/2005 10:57:30 AM PST by Alouette (Learned Mother of Zion)
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To: SJackson

I have no objection to Jewish appreciation month, black history month, women's history month, etc., but when are we going to have white male appreciation month, instead of political correctness that overtly hates white males all year - most notably in college and university text books/curriculum.


7 posted on 12/16/2005 10:58:39 AM PST by MensRightsActivist
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To: lilylangtree
It would seem to me at the very least you'd need Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, and gay months. That leaves five months open.

I doubt a Military History or Founding Fathers month would get much support.

8 posted on 12/16/2005 10:58:54 AM PST by SJackson (There's no such thing as too late, that's why they invented death. Walter Matthau)
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To: SJackson

They could pass out the leaflet, "Famous Jewish Sports Legends."


9 posted on 12/16/2005 10:59:52 AM PST by dfwgator
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To: SJackson

A better course would be to abolish Black History month.


10 posted on 12/16/2005 11:00:51 AM PST by bert (K.E. ; N.P . Franks in '08)
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To: bert

Morgan Freeman calls black history month ‘ridiculous’

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1541176/posts


11 posted on 12/16/2005 11:07:35 AM PST by Eurotwit (WI)
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To: SJackson

I object to Jewish history month. Every other religion will jump in and I cannot bear to see the stupid Muhammadan propaganda that will come in a Muslim history month


12 posted on 12/16/2005 11:17:01 AM PST by dennisw (You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you - Bob Dylan)
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To: dfwgator
They could pass out the leaflet, "Famous Jewish Sports Legends."

There are lots of them,Jews are only 2% of the population

When Boxing Was a Jewish Sport

Jewish Sports Star: Athletic Heroes Past and Present (General Jewish Interest)

13 posted on 12/16/2005 11:19:19 AM PST by dennisw (You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you - Bob Dylan)
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To: dennisw

They'll get two months. Don't forget, they were here before Columbus arrived.


14 posted on 12/16/2005 11:24:10 AM PST by SJackson (There's no such thing as too late, that's why they invented death. Walter Matthau)
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To: MensRightsActivist
most notably in college and university text books/curriculum.

Well then you shouldnt have gone to a public school. In your next life, try a Christian university.

15 posted on 12/16/2005 11:25:44 AM PST by Windsong (Jesus Saves, but Buddha makes incremental backups)
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To: MensRightsActivist

How about Freeper appreciation month?


16 posted on 12/16/2005 11:36:06 AM PST by SirChas (I seem to be rapidly approaching the apex of my mediocre career)
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To: SJackson

Does this mean that schools will be allowed to teach "In the beginning, G-d created the heavens and the earth" for one month?


17 posted on 12/16/2005 11:41:50 AM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar (When someone burns a cross on your lawn, the best firehose is an AK-47.)
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To: SJackson
They'll get two months. Don't forget, they were here before Columbus arrived.

There no fantasy like a Muslim fantasy. Their brains are baked by the sun

18 posted on 12/16/2005 11:57:05 AM PST by dennisw (You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you - Bob Dylan)
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To: SJackson

I am Jewish, but I will not support this under any circumstances.
It is just another manifestation of the Orwellian doctrines of "inclusiveness" and "multiculturalism" which actually mean divisiveness, tribalism, exclusivity through the promotion of group chauvinism, and special status through institutionalized victimhood.
There is too much of it already and it puts gay, Muslim, atheist, Satanic, and Free-floating heathen history months are just around the corner.


19 posted on 12/16/2005 12:00:58 PM PST by atomic conspiracy (Islamo-terrorists: Strike force of the MSM)
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To: Ruy Dias de Bivar
Does this mean that schools will be allowed to teach "In the beginning, G-d created the heavens and the earth" for one month?

That's out, Ten Commandments are out too.

20 posted on 12/16/2005 12:03:12 PM PST by SJackson (There's no such thing as too late, that's why they invented death. Walter Matthau)
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