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.
That would require two month, Male History Month and Caucasion Month.
That brings us to Black, Womens, Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, Male, Caucasion and gay History months. I suppose we should add Hispanic and Native American. Eleven accounted for, one to go.
If they're going to teach Jewish history, they should objectively and logically teach what everyone should know: all major events that happened regarding Jews between the years 300 and 1967. But that's not going to happen. Everyone who isn't an Orthodox Jew and wouldn't be a student of Judaism would literally riot.
Jewish AMERICAN history. They're not about to get into that other stuff, Moses, Commandments and all in public schools.
I demand reparations for all white, midwestern women of a certain age, who can work all day then come home and make the Lefse and the Sauerbraten and are staying true to their Germanic/Nordic Heritage!
Ah, screw it. I'd rather not be pidgeonholed. I enjoy my cover of anonymity. You'd be surprised what you can get done in a day when the world ignores you and lets you just go about your business, LOL! :)
Next time you see one of those nondescript, middle-aged women at the market doing her grocery shopping for the week, be afraid. Be VERY afraid. You don't WANT to know what we're up to...
"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."
you're exactly right. We need more months.
" ''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"
Ummm...there's a generation of kids growing up with a fading memory of ANYTHING related to WWII.
Best idea - No "History months" whatsoever.
Another good idea: "WWII History Month".
I don't want my children being taught someone's religion in public school, thank you. If they can't be taught Christianity (which I don't have a problem with), don't teach them about Judaism either.
But, given the free pass Judaism gets in December (no Menorrah public display outrages), this isn't really all that surprising.
Interestingly virtually all the opponents of Creches are also opposed to Menorahs, however a judge in the late 80s determined that Menorahs have no connection to Chanukah and the Jewish faith, but are secular objects like Santa Claus. Personally, I find the judges decision offensive, in addition to being factually incorrect.
I can't imagine what they'd want to teach, but you can rest assured that religion has no part of it. Personally, I'd cancel all the "history" months, other than an American history month, which we could desparately use.
I have a vision of President Bush banging his head on the desk saying, "I've got a war to run! I don't have time to deal with this $hit!"
That's the idea, just sign it and we'll go away.
You don't think they'd like a war holiday?
And then there's other Jews:
Payload Specialist, Ilan Ramon, Space Shuttle Columbia.
Yes, many people will remember him for his seat on that ill fated flight, but I hope he is also remembered for his courageous participation in that flight of jets that knocked out Sadaam Hussein's nuclear facility some years ago. 1981: Israel bombs Baghdad nuclear reactor
"One of the pilots involved was Ilan Ramon who trained as Israel's first astronaut but was killed in the Columbia shuttle disaster in 2003."
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