May 10, 2022 at 5:51 p.m.

In Honor of Jewish American Heritage Month

Dear CSSW Community,

During the month of May, we celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month. For the last 16 years, the U.S. has publicly recognized the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American culture. Despite the increase in heinous acts of antisemitism plaguing communities across the globe, it is crucial that we take a moment to honor those achievements and contributions.

The Weitzman Museum website provides a host of resources to learn about Jewish-American history, ways to understand and fight antisemitism, events to attend, and the contributions of a host of renowned Jewish Americans – from Emma Lazarus to Louis Brandeis to Leonard Bernstein, and so many more.

With all the hate we see in the world, we must proactively remind ourselves that our differences are what makes us so special; while also acknowledging that we are more alike than we are different. And in moments like this, joy can be revolutionary. Let us joyously extol the diversity of the Jewish diaspora and the resilience of the Jewish community, in a spirit of solidarity and justice.

In community,
Melissa & Karma

Melissa Begg, Dean & Professor
Karma Lowe, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Community Engagement