Jewish American Heritage Month, 2012

Vol. 77

Monday,

No. 88

May 7, 2012

Part III

The President

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Proclamation 8813--Jewish American Heritage Month, 2012

Proclamation 8814--National Foster Care Month, 2012

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8813 of May 2, 2012

Jewish American Heritage Month, 2012

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Three hundred and fifty-eight years ago, a band of 23
Jewish refugees fled Recife, Brazil, beset by bigotry
and oppression. For them, receding shores marked the
end of another chapter of persecution for a people that
had been tested from the moment they came together and
professed their faith. Yet, they also marked a new
beginning. When those men, women, and children landed
in New Amsterdam--what later became New York City--they
found not only safe haven, but early threads of a
tradition of freedom and opportunity that would forever
bind their story to the American story.

Those 23 believers led the way for millions to follow.
During the next three centuries, Jews around the world
set out to build new lives in America--a land where
prosperity was possible, where parents could give their
children more than they had, where families would no
longer fear the specter of violence or exile, but live
their faith openly and honestly. Even here, Jewish
Americans bore the pains of hardship and hostility;
yet, through every obstacle, generations carried with
them the deep conviction that a better future was
within their reach. In adversity and in success, they
turned to one another, renewing the tradition of
community, moral purpose, and shared struggle so
integral to their identity.

Their history of unbroken perseverance and their belief
in tomorrow's promise offers a lesson not only to
Jewish Americans, but to all Americans. Generations of
Jewish Americans have brought to bear some of our
country's greatest achievements and forever enriched
our national life. As a product of heritage and faith,
they have helped open our eyes to injustice, to people
in need, and to the simple idea that we might recognize
ourselves in the struggles of our fellow men and women.
These principles led Jewish advocates to fight for
women's equality and workers' rights, and to preach
against racism from the bimah; they inspired many to
lead congregants on marches to stop segregation, help
forge unbreakable bonds with the State of Israel, and
uphold the ideal of ``tikkun olam''--our obligation to
repair the world. Jewish Americans have served
heroically in battle and inspired us to pursue peace,
and today, they stand as leaders in communities across
our Nation.

More than 300 years after those refugees first set foot
in New Amsterdam, we celebrate the enduring legacy of
Jewish Americans--of the millions who crossed the
Atlantic to seek out a better life, of their children
and grandchildren, and of all whose belief and
dedication inspires them to achieve what their
forebears could only imagine. Our country is stronger
for their contributions, and this month, we commemorate
the myriad ways they have enriched the American
experience.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 2012 as Jewish
American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to
visit www.JewishHeritageMonth.gov to learn more about
the heritage and contributions of Jewish Americans and
to observe this month with appropriate programs,
activities, and ceremonies.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
second day of May, in the year two thousand twelve, and
of the Independence of the United States of America the
two hundred and thirty-sixth.