TL;DR: In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, Project Legacy once again hosted its annual celebration on Capitol Hill, recognizing the profound contributions of American Jews throughout history. Founder Ezra Friedlander highlighted the resilience, unity, and impact of the Jewish community across arts, science, government, and beyond, emphasizing the importance of pride and hope in today’s climate.
In the early 2000s, a resolution was introduced by Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida and Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania advocating for the proclamation of an entire month that would recognize the extensive history of Jewish contributions to this country. After the bipartisan resolution passed unanimously, it was officially established by the presidential proclamation of President George W. Bush in 2006; every May, it has been renewed by Presidents Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden.
It is important to remember as we navigate through unprecedented times the fact that despite facing oppression and persecution for millenniums, the Jewish people have always managed to rise up and bring improvement and progress to society—light in times of darkness. We are a people whose resilience and achievements have inspired the free world throughout dire times and planted seeds of hope in places it may have seemed that seeds of hope would never bear fruit.
Reflecting upon the best of American Jewry, it can be seen that the seeds of hope the Jewish people have planted did indeed bear fruits. Throughout American history, Jews have made major contributions to society—from the arts to science, medicine, sports, business, government, and military service amongst others.
Project Legacy, an organization which supports charitable, literacy, and educational activities has proudly organized the Congressional Jewish American Heritage Month Celebration on Capitol Hill for twelve years. I have the pleasure in my capacity as the founder of Project Legacy to organize an annual event celebrating the extensive history of Jewish contributions to American society—bringing together members of Congress, major leaders in the Jewish community, business leaders, religious leaders, and civic leaders amongst others.
Preparing for the Jewish American Heritage Month Celebration is one of the most rewarding and exciting times of the year. It is an honor and a privilege to organize such an important event. Now more than ever, it is so important for American Jews to be unified in celebration of the tikvah (hope) we have inspired in the United States of America—a country that gave us the freedom and security to serve as a beacon of merit and virtue.
I enjoyed greeting our Jewish American brothers and sisters as well as all those that supported our community at the Jewish American Heritage Capitol Hill Celebration this year.
Shabbat Shalom and may this be the week that our hostages are returned,
Ezra Friedlander
Founder, Project Legacy & CEO, The Friedlander Group
*Ezra Friedlander is the founder of Project Legacy and the CEO of the Friedlander Group––a public policy and consulting firm based in New York City and Washington DC. Project Legacy organizes the annual Jewish American Heritage Month Celebration on Capitol Hill.
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