Stories

May marks Jewish American Heritage Month, a time to acknowledge and celebrate the significant contributions of Jewish Americans and to honor their resilience and achievements.

For over 370 years, Jewish Americans have given to their communities and this nation. They have served in government and military, won Nobel prizes and Olympic medals, led universities and corporations, created lasting works of performing and visual art, written novels and investigative articles, contributed to modern medicine and medical research, and so much more.

This month, we would like to honor former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the first Jewish woman to serve on the Court, and Louis Brandeis, a former associate justice on the Supreme Court. In arts and sciences, we remember Albert Einstein, one of the greatest scientists of all time; Elie Wiesel, a Romanian-born American writer and Holocaust survivor best known for "Night"; and Irving Berlin, an American songwriter who won numerous musical honors.

What would our country be like without the influence of Jewish values—justice (tzedek), truth (emet), peace (shalom), and kindness (chesed), to name a few—that have shaped America's character and culture? As loyal and patriotic citizens, American Jews have had an immeasurable impact on American history.

To understand the roots of Jewish American history, let's look back to where it all began. Their story starts in 1654 when 23 Jewish refugees fled persecution abroad and sailed into the port of modern-day New York City. There, they fought for religious freedom, helping define a core principle our country was founded on—the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

On April 20, 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month. Congressional resolutions urged the president to make this proclamation after successfully celebrating the 350th anniversary of American Jewish History in 2004.

In addition to honoring Jewish Americans, we would like to spotlight allies to the Jewish community. This year, we recognize the heroic actions of Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara, who served as a consul in Lithuania during World War II. Chiune defied orders to save almost 6,000 Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution by handwriting visas so they could travel through Japanese territory. He was awarded the title "Righteous Among the Nations" for his courageous actions, risking his career and the lives of his family.

We are grateful for Chiune's courage and thank those who have risked their lives to save other human beings, Jewish and non-Jewish. It is a special connection for our family to know Chihiro Sugihara, Chiune Sugihara's grandson, and to have this deep gratitude for his grandfather and the difference he made for thousands of Jews. Chihiro, our partner at WAKO, continues to honor his grandfather by participating in speaking engagements around the world.

This month, let's take the time to honor and appreciate our Jewish American friends, neighbors, and community members. Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month helps to recognize the invaluable contributions and values that Jewish Americans have brought to our country.

President Biden stated during this year's proclamation, "We celebrate the contributions, culture, and values that [Jewish Americans] have passed down from generation to generation and that have shaped who we are as Americans. We remember that the power lies within each of us to rise together against hate, to see each other as fellow human beings, and to ensure that the Jewish community is afforded the safety, security, and dignity they deserve as they continue to shine their light in America and around the world."

Here's to a month dedicated to Jewish heritage, solidarity, pride, accomplishments, progress, healing, relief, redemption, and renewal!

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For more resources on Jewish American Heritage Month, please visit:

• Jewish American Heritage Month
• American Jewish Committee
• Proclamation on Jewish Heritage Month