2023 -- H 6440
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING MAY OF 2023, TO BE “JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MO NTH” IN
THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
Introduced By: Representatives Finkelman, Ackerman, Solomon, Kislak, Boylan,
Knight, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, and Noret
Date Introduced: May 25, 2023
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, Jewish American history spans more than 350 years, dating back to the 1
colonial era and early European settlements in Rhode Island, and is woven through every part of 2
American history through to the present day; and 3
WHEREAS, Rhode Island is home to approximately 18,750 Jewish Americans and the 4
Jewish population in Rhode Island has and continues to make enormous contributions that benefit 5
Rhode Island; and 6
WHEREAS, Jews played an integral role in supporting American independence and the 7
religious freedom guaranteed in the establishment of the nation; and 8
WHEREAS, In the mid-1800s, a wave of German Jewish immigrants, fleeing persecution 9
and economic hardship in search of new opportunities, arrived in the United States. This wave of 10
immigration led to the expansion of Jewish communities across the nation and the founding of 11
B’nai B’rith, the American Jewish Committee, and the National Council of Jewish Women; and 12
WHEREAS, In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Jewish immigration to the United States 13
increased in response to rising anti-semitism in Europe, and particularly in response to the 14
pogroms in the Russian Empire. Overall, more than two million Eastern European Jews 15
immigrated to the United States during this time; and 16
WHEREAS, Restrictive immigration policies beginning in the 1920s stemmed the flow 17
of new immigrants to the United States. Many Jewish Americans opposed these policies, but they 18
remained in place, leading to the United States’ tragic refusal to accept refugees from Nazi 19
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Germany and leaving many of them unable to escape the Holocaust; and 1
WHEREAS, Jewish Americans and Jewish immigrants to America have contributed to 2
every aspect of American culture and history, including education, science, business, 3
philanthropy, politics, civil rights, and the arts; among them are key figures in American and 4
world history including Jonas Salk, Albert Einstein, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg; and 5
WHEREAS, In light of continuing and reemerging anti-Semitism in America, expressed 6
openly and violently, it is vital and crucial that the history, heritage and culture of Jewish 7
Americans be fully known, understood and valued; and 8
WHEREAS, Jewish American Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the vibrancy 9
and importance of Rhode Island’s Jewish American community, whose accomplishments and 10
contributions strengthen and enrich all aspects of community life in the State of Rhode Island; 11
and 12
WHEREAS, During Jewish American Heritage Month, Rhode Islanders are encouraged 13
to commemorate and celebrate the essential contributions, sacrifices, and accomplishments that 14
Jewish Americans have made and continue to make in our State; now, therefore be it 15
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 16
proclaims May of 2023, to be “Jewish American Heritage Month” in the State of Rhode Island; 17
and be it further 18
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 19
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Jeffrey M. Wice, Executive Director, 20
National Association of Jewish Legislators. 21
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