Olympia celebrates Heritage Month by recognizing celebrating Jewish American, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

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The Olympia City Council signed two proclamations for May 2023, celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month.

Jewish American Heritage Month

The city council urged Olympians to denounce anti-Semitism, bigotry, and hatred, calling for unity in working with Jewish Americans toward a better world.

On Tuesday, Rabbi Seth Goldstein was at the city chambers to accept the proclamation. He noted that in recent years, there have been increasing incidents of anti-Semitism and targeted attacks against Jews. "To know that we have allies and community support is important to us."

"We look forward to continuing to deeper those relationships."

In signing the proclamation, the city council recognizes the unique heritage, culture, traditions and contributions of Jewish Americans to the community.

At the Heritage Month proclamation signed on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, Rabbi Seth Goldstein thanked the Olympian City Council for being an ally to the Jewish American community.
At the Heritage Month proclamation signed on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, Rabbi Seth Goldstein thanked the Olympian City Council for being an ally to the …

"This month, we honor Jewish Americans – past and present – whose experience and accomplishments are inextricably woven into the tapestry of our community,” stated the proclamation, “including places of worship such as Temple Beth Hatfilon in Olympia.”

The temple serves as a center for Jewish life and is active in the greater community, pursuing the work of Tikkun Olam (Repair of the World) by advocating for immigrant justice, engaging in environmental stewardship, and collaborating with Interfaith Works and other organizations," the proclamation continued.

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The city council also recognized the contributions of the AANHPI communities to Olympia's society, culture, and history.

The proclamation underscored the structural discrimination and injustice these communities faced for generations.

Through the proclamation, Olympia "re-affirms its commitment to supporting and standing with AANHPI and encourages people to recognize these communities' contribution to our country, our state, and our city."

Lin Crowley, Asian Pacific Islanders Coalition South Puget Sound chapter co-chair and program director, thanked the city council for recognizing the diversity in the community.

She announced the group's commitment to "live in harmony, and it is up to all of us to make that dedication and commitment."

Filipino American Genevieve Chan, one of the commissioners at the Social Justice and Equity Commission, expressed hope that Olympia may continue to validate the voices of diverse communities to empower them.

"Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month provides an opportunity to elevate these communities and their roles in American history and is a time to celebrate the advancement of civil rights and equal opportunity for all people," stated the proclamation.

The Asian Pacific American Heritage Week was signed into law in 1978 to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in the United States on May 7, 1843, and to recognize the Chinese workers for their contribution to building the transcontinental railroad, which was completed on May 10, 1869.

The Asian Pacific Heritage Week expanded into a full month in 1992, and it is celebrated annually.

In 2000, the Washington State Legislature declared May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

Olympia recognized these communities for their many arts, government, science, and technology achievements, embodying the American experience.

 

Caption:

At the Heritage Month proclamation signed on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, Rabbi Seth Goldstein thanked the Olympian City Council for being an ally to the Jewish American community.

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  • AugieH

    Wow! Asian American Heritage includes a lot of heritages. Did Olympia bother to count them up? According to the UN, the 48 Asian countries are:

    China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Turkey, Iran, Thailand, Myanmar, South Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Yemen, Nepal, North Korea, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Syria, Cambodia, Jordan, Azerbaijan, United Arab Emirates, Tajikistan, Israel, Laos, Lebanon, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Singapore, Oman, State of Palestine, Kuwait, Georgia, Mongolia, Armenia, Qatar, Bahrain, Timor-Leste, Cyprus, Bhutan, Maldives, Brunei.

    Does Olympia want to rethink this? Probably not since it's all about politically correct inclusivity. How about Olympia host a nice, warm, and fuzzy banquet complete with rainbows and puppies for the Israelis-Palestinians, Armenians-Turks, North Koreans-South Koreans, Iraqis-Iranians, Chinese-Filipinos-Japanese, and Indians-Pakistanis?

    Monday, May 15, 2023 Report this