President Obama honors Jewish American heritage

On Tuesday, May 17, President Barack Obama welcomed some of the most influential people of our time to the White House, from Members of Congress and Supreme Court Justices to Elie Wiesel in celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month. In his speech, the President remarked:

This month is a chance for Americans of every faith to appreciate the contributions of the Jewish people throughout our history –- often in the face of unspeakable discrimination and adversity.  For hundreds of years, Jewish Americans have fought heroically in battle and inspired us to pursue peace.  They’ve built our cities, cured our sick.  They’ve paved the way in the sciences and the law, in our politics and in the arts.  They remain our leaders, our teachers, our neighbors and our friends.

Not bad for a band of believers who have been tested from the moment that they came together and professed their faith.  The Jewish people have always persevered.  And that’s why today is about celebrating the people in this room, the thousands who came before, the generations who will shape the future of our country and the future of the world.

Also in attendendance was Dr. Cheryl Fishbein, chair of The Jewish Federations of North America’s Domestic Affairs Cabinet, and David Steirman, Past Board President and current member of Board of Trustees of our Jewish Community Federation.