2023 House Resolution 101

Whereas, May is celebrated as Jewish American Heritage Month, providing an opportunity to celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of American Jews to the United States and the state of Michigan; and

Whereas, Jewish presence in Michigan dates back over 250 years, to 1761, when Ezekiel Solomon settled in Fort Michilimackinac, now Mackinaw City; and

Whereas, Michigan is home to a vibrant Jewish community nearly 100,000 strong that has grown and flourished across the state, with significant Jewish presence in the Metro Detroit communities of West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, Oak Park, Huntington Woods, Southfield, Franklin, Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Commerce, Ann Arbor, and other communities; and

Whereas, Michigan’s Jewish community has been instrumental in promoting economic growth and development, fostering education and philanthropy, and supporting social justice and civil rights causes; and

Whereas, Jews have made unique and substantial contributions to civics, government, and leadership of the United States and Michigan, including prominent figures such as Supreme Court Justices Louis Brandeis and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, U.S. Senator Carl Levin, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel; U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin; Judge Avern Cohn; and

Whereas, Jews have made unique and substantial contributions to movements for justice and civil rights, including Gloria Steinem, Harvey Milk, Samuel Gompers, Bella Abzug, Rabbi Abraham Joseph Heschel, and countless others; and

Whereas, Jews have made substantial contributions to economic development, business, and philanthropy in Michigan and across the United States, including leaders in the Detroit Jewish community David Hermelin, Max Fisher, William Davidson, and Gary Torgow; and

Whereas, Jews have made invaluable contributions to the arts, culture, sports, and entertainment in America, with notable figures such as Gilda Radner, Hank Greenberg, Joan Rivers, Stephen Sondheim, Stan Lee, Barbra Streisand, Steven Spielberg, among countless others; and

Whereas, Jews have played a vital role in building America’s engine of innovation in the fields of science, technology, medicine, and fashion, with pioneers such as Albert Einstein, Larry Page, Carl Sagan, Levi Strauss, Hedy Lamarr, and Ruth Handler; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare May 2023 as Jewish American Heritage Month in the state of Michigan. We celebrate the countless groundbreaking, unique, and significant contributions of American Jews, which have had a profound impact in shaping the development and character of our state and country.