Last January, we warned about an idea that was circulating that we thought was a bad one. Now that idea has come to pass, and Jewish Heritage Month is in place for this May. It’s a bad idea and worse commemoration.
We don’t know what drives this impulse to separate oneself, but there is no question that the Jewish narrative is interwoven with the American narrative and is there for all of us to celebrate. Americans who are Jewish have played a significant and magnificent part in this nation’s history. But it seems to some that this isn’t enough, and Jewish history in America has to be separated. As actor Morgan Freeman said about Black History Month, it’s “ridiculous.”
We as Jews have our own holidays. They are religious holidays for the most part, and they are 100 percent ours. We celebrate them in our homes and our synagogues. Pesach, Shavuot, Shabbat, and Purim don’t happen on our streets and public places. We also celebrate special days with our fellow Americans-Thanksgiving, the Fourth of July, Memorial Day and other special times are on our common calendars.
But now we have singled ourselves out with a special month. Congress was wise to reject this notion, but the administration couldn’t say no to whatever political pressure they felt, and we are now stuck with something that separates us from everyone else.
No matter, it will soon become meaningless. Every group who feels the need to define themselves as a people apart will look to the White House for that same privilege. If the votes are there, then a special month will be there too, and America will be poorer for it.
–nrg

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