To: Board of County Commissioners
From: Joshua Freeman, Director of Administration
title
RE: Recognition of Jewish Heritage Month-May 2025
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Recognition of Jewish Heritage Month
BACKGROUND:
DISCUSSION:
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
WHEREAS, the United States and individual states across the nation, including Michigan, have recognized Jewish Heritage in May, starting with President Jimmy Carter’s recognition of Jewish American Heritage Week in 1980 that was broadened to proclaiming May as Jewish American Heritage Month by President George W. Bush in 2006, which recognized the contributions Jewish people have made to American culture over the last 350 years; and
WHEREAS, the Jewish community in Genesee County has offered social services for people of all races, religions, and nationalities through the Flint Jewish Federation’s congregate meal, mobile meal, immigration, and referral service programs, as well as facilitated transportation to medical appointments and grocery shopping; and
WHEREAS, the Flint Jewish Federation has also organized annual opportunities for members of the local community to celebrate Jewish culture and build connections across cultures through the Karen Schneider Flint Jewish Film Festival, Daniel Pearl World Music Days Humanity in Harmony concert, Don Riegle Community Service Awards, and support of Martin Luther King, Jr. tribute activities and has also worked to deepen understanding of Jewish history through annual Holocaust Commemoration and to deepen relationships between groups of Jews and people of color through activities such as joint visits to the Zekelman Holocaust Museum and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History; and
WHEREAS, local Jewish people are notable volunteers, donors, and supporters of numerous cultural, educational, social justice, and business institutions in Genesee County including but not limited to the Flint Institute of Arts, Flint Institute of Music, Sloan/Longway, Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, Crim Fitness Foundation, Gloria Coles Flint Public Library, and Flint Children’s Museum; and
WHEREAS, Jewish people in Genesee County have been actively involved in combatting bigotry and discrimination in all forms, including working to end racial housing discrimination practices, secure voting rights for all, and helping to resettle refugees escaping oppression in other countries, including David Miller who coordinated the resettlement and acculturation of over 450 refugees from the former Soviet Union and 43 Russian Muslim Turkish families and Robert Segar, an attorney who successfully argued the Virginia Poll Tax case before the US Supreme Court in 1966, which found that poll taxes in state elections were unconstitutional, and Steven C. Low whose steadfast leadership as the Executive Director of the Flint Jewish Federation has animated the rich legacy of Jewish families in Genesee County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Genesee County Board of Commissioners hereby recognizes the month of May 2025 as Jewish Heritage Month in Genesee County and encourages all county departments to engage in celebratory activities and appropriate recognitions, such participation in community events, sharing stories, and learning about Jewish Americans and the contributions they have made to our county and nation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Genesee County Clerk/Register is directed to provide one copy of this Resolution to each city, village, and township within Genesee County and to each County Clerk in the State of Michigan.