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The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) is encouraging mayors across the United States to officially proclaim and celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) at the municipal level this May. Partnering with CAM in these efforts, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley sent a letter to fellow city leaders in the U.S. Conference of Mayors this week urging them to initiate and participate in JAHM activities.
In his message, Mayor Smiley — who attended and spoke at the CAM-organized 2023 North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, last fall — wrote, “The need for local recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month has never been more urgent. In the wake of the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7th, antisemitic incidents and rhetoric have surged in the United States.”
“The severity of antisemitism in the public sphere casts a dark shadow over our nation, where tolerance and acceptance of all faiths, cultures, orientations, and backgrounds are paramount,” he added. “By proclaiming Jewish American Heritage Month in our cities, we not only celebrate the rich history of Jewish Americans but send a clear message to our residents that their safety, well-being, and contributions are valued, cherished, and protected.”
Mayor Smiley was among the 135 city mayors and 38 state governors who recognized JAHM in May 2023, an indication of the growing awareness of the critical importance and timely relevance of this annual opportunity to highlight Jewish contributions to U.S. society and educate the general public about Jewish culture, traditions, and history. This followed a similar letter sent by Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney to the U.S. Conference of Mayors ahead of JAHM last year.
Celebrating JAHM was included on the updated 11-point municipal action plan against antisemitism recently unveiled by CAM following the Fort Lauderdale summit.
“We deeply appreciate Mayor Smiley’s exemplary leadership in promoting the celebration of JAHM at the municipal level and we hope mayors across the country will answer his important call to action,” CAM Chief of Staff Arthur Maserjian stated. “CAM is proud of the impact of our annual mayors summits in spurring cities-oriented initiatives to secure and nurture Jewish life across the globe.”
In 2006, the U.S. Congress passed a bipartisan resolution urging “the President to issue each year a proclamation calling on state and local governments and the people of the United States to observe an American Jewish History Month.”
Shortly thereafter, then-President George W. Bush declared May as Jewish American Heritage Month.
Since then, successive presidents from both parties have all released annual proclamations emphasizing the integral and unique role Jewish Americans have played in the great American story over the past three and a half centuries.
Local governments — at the state, county, and municipal levels — have begun to follow suit, recognizing JAHM and implementing relevant programs, ceremonies, and activities, and CAM has made a concerted nationwide push to get more to do so in recent years.
CAM assisted in JAHM proclamations in more than 70 cities and several dozen more states in 2023, including Virginia, Oklahoma, New York City, Richmond, Palm Springs, Palm Beach County, Wichita, Rockford, and Highland Park, among others.
CAM also hosted a JAHM congressional breakfast on Capitol Hill, bringing together senators, representatives, and staff members from both sides of the political aisle.
A full database of state and city JAHM proclamations for 2023 can be viewed HERE.
Watch the following video for highlights of CAM’s 2023 JAHM-related activities:
