S. Floridians push for a presidential proclamation of Jewish Heritage Month [GW agrees]

Sun-Sentinel, Ft Lauderdale, FL ^ | January 29, 2006 | William E. Gibson

[summer]

 WASHINGTON -- Hoping to highlight the contributions of Jewish culture to the nation, a determined band of South Floridians is leading a campaign to create an American Jewish History Month.

With backing from Congress and President Bush, their dream appears headed for reality. This month and every January, schoolchildren throughout Florida study the long, sometimes painful, but always productive Jewish history of their state. An American Jewish history month would expand that cross-cultural experience on a national scale....

But only the president can make such a proclamation, and Bush intends to designate what he prefers to call "Jewish Heritage Month" to be celebrated sometime in the spring. That would expand past proclamations of "Jewish Heritage Week," which last year was in May.

"The president realizes the importance of recognizing American Jewish contributions to this nation," White House spokesman Blair Jones said. The White House is working closely with House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Wasserman Schultz to decide how best to celebrate, including picking a month.

Promoters hope to build momentum for a Jewish equivalent to Black History Month, which is celebrated in February. They see an opportunity to burnish pride in Jewish contributions to American society while also helping non-Jews understand the culture, holidays and history of a small but influential minority.

"Most Americans don't have much exposure to Jewish people, who make up less than 2 percent of the population," Wasserman Schultz said in an interview. "This would be a chance for kids who do not have contact with Jews to at least know what their contributions and culture are about."...

[summer]

Also -- in 2003 Gov. Jeb Bush signed a bill designating each January as Florida Jewish History Month.

[summer]

FYI.

[The Red Zone]

OK, so September will be Islamic Heritage Month?

[summer]

FYI.

[summer]

I have no idea what to say with respect to your question!

[summer]

I do know that here in Florida we celebrate Black History Month in February (that is nationwide) and an Hispanic Heritage Month (I think that is only in Florida, in March).

[summer]

And, schools are always expected to participate in some way.

[The Red Zone]

Why pick a month with no holiday in it?

[summer]

Another question I can not answer! But, thanks for posting. :)

[ExcursionGuy84]

Mother Sheehan has gotta be both heart-broken & livid at this.

[normy]

January-Jewish

Feb-Black

March-Irish?

April-Hispanic?

May-Gay?

June-Asian?

July-American atrocity?

August-Arab?

Sept-Muslim?

Oct-Athiest?

Nov-American Indian?

Dec-Pagan? /sarc.

[dennisw]

Also -- in 2003 Gov. Jeb Bush signed a bill designating each January as Florida Jewish History Month.
_______________

My dinky little Broward library had a Jewish history exhibit that month

[MajorityOfOne]

You forgot Swedish-American month. I am now officially shocked and offended. Please correct this oversight immediately, and forward $1 million in small, unmarked bills as reparations.
-- Sven

[normy]

I apologize but we ran out of months. Perhaps the Irish will allow you to have part of March.

[Alexander Rubin]

Ok, I'm Jewish. But really, this is ridiculous.

We don't need to give every group their own damn month. There are only 12 months anyways.

I think most Americans realize how much Jewish Americans have given to the country. There is no need for an official month that will bore schoolchildren and become a laughingstock for everyone else.

PC might be on its way out, but its still going too damn strong for my comfort.

[KenmcG414]

Let's see...Jewish heritage month, Italian heritage month, black history month, German heritge month, Russian heritage month, Islamic terrorist month and on ....and on. Give me a break already!!!

[Seniram US]

Now its becoming clear. I've been wondering why the schools have been erasing American history for the past decades. It had to be to make room for everything but U/S. history. Maybe they will finally get rid of the Fourth of July and Veteran's Day so we can celebrate the U.N Day and Open The Border Week.

Who was that George Washington anyway? Did he serve in Vietnam like Kerry?

[normy]

Who was that George Washington anyway?

Oh, he was a rich white slave owner who didn't want to pay his taxes.

[PzLdr]

Let's see: Jewish, Italian, Irish, German, Mexican, Scots-Irish, English, Chinese, Japanese, etc. We're gonna run out of months, without even hitting Male history, sexual orientation history, species history, and God knows what else. when does this crap stop? It's bad enough having to sit through Black History month, and Women's history month. Why not AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH??- EVERY MONTH!

[summer]

I find I am sympathetic to both sides here. I understand that any group of people would want to see themselves recognized and culturally honored as having contributed to this country, and, I realize others want all such groups included as part of American History, period.

I often wonder how children actually process this sort of cultural information singling out one group, because I remember when I was a child and I first heard of the Miss Black America contest, I thought:

Why do they need a separate contest for black women? These black women look just as beautiful to me as the white women in the Miss America contest.

As a child, I just recall being confused as to the message: Should I have thought these women were not as attractive -- and therefore ineligible for the regular contest, and thus needed their own contest?

The people who sponsor and promote that contest see it very differently than I saw it as a child. Here is what they say on their website:

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