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Jewish American Heritage Month Day

Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) is annually held in May as a time to recognize and celebrate the many accomplishments Jewish Americans have made to their country. A spotlight is shone on those who have made substantial contributions to the growth and prosperity of the American culture, in various fields such as medicine, arts, sports, entertainment, business and science.

May is Jewish American Heritage Month – On April 20, 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed that May would be Jewish American Heritage Month. The announcement was the crowning achievement in an effort by the Jewish Museum of Florida and South Florida Jewish community leaders that resulted in resolutions introduced by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida and Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania urging the president to proclaim a month that would recognize the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American culture. The resolutions passed unanimously, first in the House of Representatives in December 2005 and later in the Senate in February 2006.

The month of May was chosen due to the highly successful celebration of the 350th Anniversary of American Jewish History in May 2004, which was organized by the Commission for Commemorating 350 Years of American Jewish History. This coalition was composed of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives, the American Jewish Historical Society, the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration.

Raoul Wallenberg Day

Raoul Wallenberg

On October 5th, 1981, Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who disappeared in January 1945 after saving the lives of tens of thousands of persecuted people during World War II, became the second person in history to be awarded Honorary U.S. Citizenship. Raoul Wallenberg Day is commemorated every year in the State of New York and following the IRWF’s initiative, has been proclaimed in many other U.S. states.

Saving the lives of tens of thousands of Jews in Budapest

With the support of the World Jewish Congress and the American War Refugee Board, the Swedish Foreign Ministry sent Wallenberg to Budapest in July 1944 to help protect the 200,000 Jews who remained in the capital. From October 15, when the Arrow Cross seized power, to the liberation of the capital three months later, Wallenberg saved Jews through a variety of means—by issuing thousands of protective documents, by establishing the International Ghetto of protected houses, and by securing their release from deportation trains, death march convoys, and labor service brigades—all at significant risk to himself.

Raoul Wallenberg around the World

Canada: January 17th

Sweden: August 27th

Argentina: September 14th

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Find more Jewish Cultural Days

National Bagel and Lox Day

National Bagel and Lox Day recognizes one of America’s favorite bagel combinations on February 9th.

Bagels are one of the few breads that are boiled then baked. This creates a soft inside while keeping a crisp outside. Bagels originated in Poland in the early 17th century and now sell over a billion dollars worth each year in the United States.
Salmon is cured in a salt brine for several months to make lox. The technique was perfected in Scandinavia. Using the fatty belly of the salmon results in a buttery, silky texture that pairs well with cream cheese and bagels

Event Tag: USA