2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
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2023 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 35
April 20, 2023 - Introduced by Senators SPREITZER, AGARD, CARPENTER, HESSELBEIN,
ROYS, TAYLOR and WIRCH, cosponsored by Representatives SUBECK, RIEMER, C.
ANDERSON, ANDRACA, BALDEH, BARE, CABRERA, CLANCY, CONLEY, CONSIDINE,
DITTRICH, DRAKE, EMERSON, HONG, JACOBSON, JOERS, KITCHENS, MADISON,
MOORE OMOKUNDE, MURPHY, NEUBAUER, OHNSTAD, ORTIZ-VELEZ, PALMERI,
RATCLIFF, SHANKLAND, SHELTON, SINICKI, SNODGRASS, STUBBS and VINING.
Referred to Committee on Senate Organization.
1 Relating to: proclaiming May 2023 as Jewish American Heritage Month.
2 Whereas, since 2006, Jewish American Heritage Month has been observed
3 nationwide every May to recognize the more than 360-year history of Jewish
4 contributions to our nation's civic, social, economic, and cultural life; and
5 Whereas, it is estimated that over 330,000 persecuted Jews from Germany,
6 Russia, Poland, and several other countries overcame restrictions and immigration
7 quotas to find refuge in the United States between 1933 and 1952; and
8 Whereas, many Jewish American survivors of the Holocaust have dedicated
9 their lives to fighting for civil rights and educating future generations about the
10 dangers of bigotry and anti-Semitism and the resilience of the human spirit; and
11 Whereas, it is estimated that over 33,000 Jews live in Wisconsin today,
12 worshiping at over 30 active synagogues; and
13 Whereas, the University of Wisconsin-Madison branch of Hillel began in 1924
14 and is the second-oldest in the nation; and
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1 Whereas, several renowned Jewish Americans have resided in Wisconsin,
2 including author Edna Ferber, U.S. Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold, actors
3 Gene Wilder and Charlotte Rae, magician Harry Houdini, and Israeli Prime
4 Minister Golda Meir; and
5 Whereas, the Jewish tenet tikkun olam, translated from Hebrew as “repair of
6 the world," is a call to Jews to pursue justice and righteousness for all of humanity;
7 and
8 Whereas, the Jewish experience in America has consistently reminded us that
9 liberty and opportunity ultimately triumph over prejudice and hate; now, therefore,
10 be it
11 Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the Wisconsin
12 Legislature proclaims May 2023 as Jewish American History Month and joins all
13 Wisconsinites in thanking our fellow Jewish American citizens for shaping our
14 country's character, strengthening our promise of religious freedom, and teaching us
15 the virtues of justice, hope, and perseverance.
16 (END)