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Federation leadership was on hand at the proclamation ceremony in Fairfield that kicked off Jewish American Heritage Month:
WHEREAS: Since 2006, every President of the United States has proclaimed the month of May as Jewish American Heritage Month, and since 1980, every Congress has authorized a period of time each year for the celebration of Jewish culture, history, and contributions to the United States; and
WHEREAS: The American Jewish community dates back to 1654 when a group of 23 Jews fleeing persecution at the hands of the Portuguese Inquisition found refuge in New Amsterdam (now New York). From that tiny group, the American Jewish
community has grown to over six million, representing approximately 2% of the American population today; and
WHEREAS: Jewish Americans have been an integral part of the history of Fairfield, Connecticut since 1716 and have contributed significantly to the cultural, political and economic vitality of our Town. Andris Trubee, a merchant who emigrated from Holland to Boston in the early 1700s, is believed to be Fairfield’s first Jewish resident. Mr. Trubee was a highly educated man who spoke several languages and was a valuable and influential member of our community; and
WHEREAS: Jewish Americans have made significant contributions to the arts, entertainment, science and technology, government, business, culinary traditions and other fields in the United States and have played an important role in shaping American Culture; and
WHEREAS: The biblical and contemporary history of the Jewish people and the enduring values of the Jewish faith were vital sources of inspiration for the founding of the United States, the Civil Rights movement, America’s global leadership in the cause of freedom and Americans’ commitment to social justice; and
WHEREAS: Anti-Semitism has been rising at an alarming rate in our country, and many of our communities have experienced an increase in anti-Semitic incidents. Events like today’s proclamation ceremony reaffirm the Town of Fairfield’s strong support for the Jewish community and our complete rejection of any reprehensible acts of prejudice that target our Jewish friends and neighbors; and
WHEREAS: The strength of a society can be measured by how it protects its minority populations and celebrates their contributions. It is altogether fitting for us to honor and recognize May as Jewish American Heritage Month and take pride in the Town’s 2024 adoption of The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, William A. Gerber, First Selectman of the Town of Fairfield, CT, do hereby proclaim May 2025 as JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH in the Town of Fairfield, Connecticut and urge all residents to fight back against anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry and to learn more about the heritage and contributions of Jewish Americans.
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