Recognizing the month of May as Jewish American Heritage Month in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Jewish American Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of Jewish Americans and to encourage all residents to learn more about Jewish heritage, history, and contributions to the United States; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia has one of the earliest and largest Jewish populations in the United States, with the first Jewish resident recorded in 1703; and

WHEREAS, Congregation Mikveh Israel, the first Jewish congregation in Philadelphia and oldest contiguous synagogue in the United States, had its beginnings around 1740 and in 1775 became known as the Synagogue of the Revolution. Mikveh Israel counted among its members revolutionary patriots including Jonas Phillips, the Gratz family, and Haym Solomon who financed the Revolutionary War; and

WHEREAS, The Jewish population in the Greater Philadelphia region is comprised of approximately 350,000 individuals of multiple ethnicities and races, representing about 9% of the region’s total population. Four percent of Philadelphia’s population is Jewish, making it one of the largest urban Jewish populations in a United States; and

WHEREAS, Jewish Americans have made and continue to make significant contributions to all aspect of American life, serving in government, the military, academia, private industry, technology, and the arts/literature; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia area is home to multiple major groups of Judaism in the United States, including Chasidic, Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Humanistic, and Reconstructionist. In fact, the Reconstructionist movement was born in the greater Philadelphia area between the 1920s and 1940s with a distinct focus on community and communal decision-making as well as uplifting diverse perspectives; The Reconstructionist movement has continued to headquarter in the regio, and it has hosted its own Rabbinical College since 1967. Many of Philadelphia’s synagogues boast long histories and breathtaking architectural designs inspired by different time periods; and

WHEREAS, The month of May provides a meaningful opportunity for the residents of Philadelphia to engage in educational programs, events, and activities that honor Jewish heritage and recognize the accomplishments of Jewish Americans; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,

Hereby recognizes the month of May as Jewish American Heritage Month in the City of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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