Recognizing May 2026, as Jewish American Heritage Month in the State of New York

Senate Resolution No. 2143

BY: Senator SUTTON

        RECOGNIZING  May 2026, as Jewish American Heritage
        Month in the State of New York

  WHEREAS, The month of May has been  proclaimed  as  Jewish  American
Heritage  Month  since  2006,  and  each  year  people across the Nation
recognize and celebrate Jewish achievements  and  contributions  to  the
United States; and

  WHEREAS,  For  thousands  of  years,  the Jewish people have proudly
sustained their identity and traditions while persevering in the face of
religious persecution, enslavement, expulsion, and the  horrors  of  the
Holocaust; and

  WHEREAS,   In   search  of  religious  tolerance  and  freedom  from
persecution, North America's first Jewish community was  established  in
1654; and

  WHEREAS,  Those  first Jewish immigrants, fleeing the horrors of the
Inquisition, were met with opposition by then  Director-general  of  New
Amsterdam,  Peter  Stuyvesant, who sought to expel them simply for being
Jewish; and

  WHEREAS,  Despite  that  initial  resistance,  Jews   have   greatly
contributed  to  the culture and history of New York while strengthening
the fabric of society; and

  WHEREAS, As educators, journalists, scientists, physicians, lawyers,
artists,  and  humanitarians,   Jewish   Americans   have   made   vital
contributions   to   the   development   of  our  communities,  academic
institutions, civic organizations, and businesses; and

  WHEREAS, Jewish Americans have continued their  strong  support  for
ending  discrimination  in voting, employment, public accommodation, and
in society at large, by prominently  participating  in  virtually  every
civil rights effort in the American experience; and

  WHEREAS,  This enduring commitment to civil rights is exemplified by
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel  and  his  collaboration  with  Dr.  Martin
Luther  King,  who marched alongside each other from Selma to Montgomery
in 1965; and

  WHEREAS,  Jewish  American  Heritage  Month  is  an  opportunity  to
remember  and  thank  the many Jewish Americans who defend this nation's
ideals as members of the United States Armed Forces; and

  WHEREAS, Jewish Americans today face a new  wave  of  opposition  as
they first did upon their arrival to North America, yet they continue to
persevere in the face of those threats; and

  WHEREAS,  In light of an often reemerging scourge of antisemitism in
America, expressed openly and violently, it is crucial that the history,
heritage, and culture of Jewish Americans be  fully  known,  understood,
and valued; and


  WHEREAS,  New  York City Police Department data shows that there has
been a rise in antisemitism; and

  WHEREAS, Antisemitism and hate in all its forms  must  unequivocally
and unapologetically be condemned; and

  WHEREAS,  In  order  to properly recognize the diverse contributions
and achievements of Jewish Americans as well as to preserve and  protect
their  history  and  culture  for  generations to come, it is altogether
proper and fitting that we take this opportunity  to  continue  learning
from Jewish heritage; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize May 2026, as Jewish American Heritage Month in  the  State  of
New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of  New
York.