Anti-semitism condemned, Jews honored and Gay Pride celebrated by Olympia City Council

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The Olympia City Council signed a proclamation designating May 2022 as Jewish American Heritage Month on Tuesday, May 24.

The proclamation encourages people to condemn anti-semitism and stand with Jewish Americans against hatred and bigotry. It also urges Olympian to include Jewish Americans in all facets of civic activities.

 “This month, we honor Jewish Americans — past and present — who have inextricably woven their experience and their accomplishments into our community, including places of worship such as Temple Beth Hatfiloh in Olympia, which hosted an undocumented family in 2019 after declaring itself a sanctuary congregation in August 2018 and becoming the third congregation to do so in the state of Washington,” stated in the proclamation.

According to Rabbi Seth Goldstein, it was the first time for the city council to proclaim a heritage month for Jewish Americans.

“We have been deeply ingrained in this community. We have a long history here in Olympia. Jews coming to this country to find freedom and acceptance, which they find it here in Olympia,” Goldstein said.

Goldstein said Olympia boasts the oldest Jewish organization in the State of Washington. The Hebrew Benevolent Society was absorbed into Temple Beth Hatfiloh or TBH in the 1950s which started in the 1930s.

 “We are looking forward to continuing to deepening ties [with the community] as we are Olympia community that is open to diversity in all its forms, and where we can all work together,” Goldstein said.

LGBTQ+ Pride Month

The city council proclaimed June as Pride Month to commemorate the Stonewall Riots in June 1969 and is generally recognized as the catalyst of the LGBTQ+ Rights Movement.

The city also designated June 4 & 5 as Capital City Pride Weekend and reaffirmed Olympia’s commitment to supporting and protecting LGBTQ+ communities.

In signing the proclamation, Mayor Cheryl Selby said Olympia joins the LGBTQ+ community in celebrating the diversity of experiences all residents and visitors have with sexuality, gender, and family.

“The City of Olympia commits to making its community a safer and thriving place for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Asexual, and Non-Binary people,” stated in the proclamation.

According to the proclamation, Olympia hosted the first Olympia Pride, which was later renamed Capital City Pride; and has been hosting the Pride event every year. 

Capital City Pride recognized the City of Olympia with a Key Community Partner award in 2011 as part of the Pride 20th Anniversary recognition.

The Capital City Pride will hold a “Resilience and Brilliance” festival to be held on June 4, 2022.

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