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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: May 5, 2026 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-f <br /> SUBJECT: Jewish American Heritage Month Proclamation <br /> DEPARTMENT: Office of Civil Rights and Civic <br /> Life <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Proclamation Paul Slack, 919-245-2317 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation designating May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage <br /> Month in Orange County. <br /> BACKGROUND: Jewish American Heritage Month has its roots in the long-standing efforts to <br /> recognize and celebrate the contributions of Jewish Americans to the fabric of United States <br /> history, culture, and civic life. In April 2006, President George W. Bush issued the first <br /> proclamation designating May as Jewish American Heritage Month, following bipartisan efforts in <br /> Congress led by Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Senator Arlen Specter. Their <br /> initiative built on earlier educational campaigns aimed at increasing awareness of Jewish <br /> American experiences and achievements across generations. <br /> The month of May was chosen to commemorate the arrival of the first Jewish settlers to what <br /> would become the United States in 1654, when a group of 23 Jewish refugees fled persecution <br /> in Brazil and arrived in New Amsterdam (present-day New York City). Since then, Jewish <br /> Americans have played vital roles in shaping the nation — contributing to science, the arts, <br /> government, business, social justice movements, and more — while also preserving rich cultural <br /> and religious traditions. <br /> Each year, Jewish American Heritage Month serves as an opportunity to honor these enduring <br /> contributions and to reflect on themes of resilience, identity, and belonging. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the <br /> proclamation. <br /> ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: <br /> • GOAL 5: PUBLIC EDUCATION/LEARNING COMMUNITY <br /> OBJECTIVE 1. Foster collaborative relationships with formal and informal educational <br /> organizations and agencies to provide opportunities for community members to meet, <br /> connect, and learn together. <br />