I am a proud American Jew! I love this country and I love the opportunities it affords each of us!

May is Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM). This annual celebration, established by President George W. Bush in 2006, provides an opportunity to pay tribute to the generations of Jewish Americans who helped weave the fabric of American history, culture, and society. Here is the proclamation for JAHM from The White House.

This week, Rabbi Michael Cahana of Congregation Beth Israel and I had the wonderful opportunity to receive a proclamation for JAHM from the City of Portland. (Beaverton and other locales have introduced similar proclamations.) You can watch a video of the entire presentation, which includes warm and supportive comments from Mayor Ted Wheeler and each of the City Commissioners.

Here is an abbreviated version of Rabbi Cahana’s comments:

In 1654, the first group of Jews came to North America as refugees fleeing the Inquisition which had come to their community in Recife, Brazil. There in New Amsterdam, they found safety and a small measure of tolerance in a colony where only members of the Dutch Reformed Church could practice their religion in public. Jews fleeing oppression, expulsion, forced conversion or death was a common theme throughout our 2000 years of wandering. This tiny group, consisting of six families, found on these shores a new and different world. It was only 136 years later that the President of the newborn United States of America promised to the Jewish community of Newport, Rhode Island a form of acceptance never enjoyed by Jews in any European nation:

It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.

This has been the promise of America to the Jewish community – and indeed to all minority communities – for over two centuries: “to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.”

Indeed, we know that in our modern era of rising antisemitism, this ideal of free exercise is not always reached – as it is not for many minorities. We are, indeed, always striving to be a more perfect union. But no nation in the history of the world has been as welcoming a home for Jews of the Diaspora. Today some 6.3 million Jews call the United States of America their home.

Jews first came to Oregon in 1849 and the Jewish community has been an integral part of the City ever since. Despite decades where white supremacy ruled, where Jews were restricted from full participation in the life of the community, here we have thrived -- today totaling over 56,000.

I come from an immigrant family. My parents came to America before I was born and like most first generation Americans, I am fiercely proud of this nation and its ideals, and proud to be a Jewish American. I thank the City of Portland for recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month and the great history of our shared experience.

And a shortened version of my remarks:

Jewish American Heritage Month serves as a poignant reminder of the invaluable contributions Jewish Americans have made to the nation’s fabric, guided by profound ethical and moral principles rooted in the Torah. In a time marred by chaos and a disturbing rise in antisemitism, celebrating this heritage month takes on added significance, underscoring the importance of Jewish pride and resilience.

Throughout American history, Jewish individuals have been pivotal in shaping the cultural, scientific, and social justice landscapes of the country. In the sciences, Jewish Americans have made groundbreaking contributions that have changed the course of history. Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity transformed our understanding of time and space and Jonas Salk developed the first successful polio vaccine, exemplifying the Jewish pursuit of knowledge and commitment to bettering humanity.

In the arts, Jewish Americans have enriched American culture by expressing the complexities of the human spirit. George Gershwin blended classical music with American jazz, creating timeless pieces that speak to the country’s cultural diversity. Writers Bella Abzug and Tony Kushner used their talents to explore and critique the societal issues of their times, advocating through their art for a fairer society.

Jewish Americans have been instrumental in advancing civil rights and fostering a more inclusive society. Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s judicial career was marked by steadfast dedication to gender equality and social justice and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr.

These contributions, however, are not just historical footnotes; they continue to resonate today. Jewish American Heritage Month is a critical opportunity to celebrate the enduring strength and vibrancy of the Jewish community, highlighting not only its achievements, but also its ongoing commitment to justice.

The celebration of this month also serves as a rallying cry for the nation to stand against antisemitism and all forms of bigotry. It is a time to affirm the contributions of Jewish Americans, reinforcing the idea that these achievements are not separate from, but integral to, the American story. Let this month be a beacon of hope and pride, illuminating the contributions of Jewish Americans as enduring threads in the fabric of our national identity.

Thank you to the City of Portland for its recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month.

Some quick tidbits:

• Last week I wrote about the student at Reed College. Here is a story about the situation in Willamette Week.

• Thank you to those who contacted the Oregon Food Bank and made your voices heard.

• On Wednesday, May 22 at noon, the Jewish Federation will host a webinar for K-12 families with the Brandeis Center and an attorney from the Oregon Department of Education. Families will learn their rights regarding addressing antisemitism, K-12 curriculum concerns, and limits to freedom of speech in schools. Register Here.

Shabbat shalom.