[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Pages 18969-18970]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  350 YEARS OF JEWISH LIFE IN AMERICA

 Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate the 
Jewish community on 350 years of Jewish life in America. In September 
of 1654, 23 Jews founded the first Jewish community in America when 
they sailed to what was then New Amsterdam. The Jewish community in 
this country has a rich and fascinating history, surmounting numerous 
obstacles and working diligently to make great contributions to our 
Nation. I offer my sincerest congratulations to the Jewish community on 
reaching this important milestone and express my endorsement of the 
350th Rabbinical Resolution and ask that it be printed in the Record.
  The resolution follows:
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:
  Let it be known that in Elul 5764 (September 2004) the Jewish 
community of the United States began a year long commemoration marking 
the 350th Anniversary of Jewish settlement in this country.
  With the help of God and under the protection of the Constitution of 
the United States, we have lived and prospered in this land. We have 
been an integral part of American life. We have worked with all other 
Americans in the never-ending effort to keep secure the democratic way 
of life. Our ancient prophetic ideals and the teachings of our sages 
serve as cornerstones of this Nation's values. Our work, our hopes, and 
above all, our living religion have been among our proudest offerings 
to the American community.
  In some lands across the seas the Jewish people have felt the searing 
flame of prejudice, persecution and death. The American Jew has had the 
sad, yet inspiring opportunity to bring comfort to the oppressed, the 
joyous opportunity to participate in the reconstitution of the Jewish 
state on the ancient soil of Israel, and the inescapable and ennobling 
responsibility to mend the broken places in our world.
  Even as we have worked for the well-being of our people abroad, the 
Jewish people in America have struggled to preserve our noble heritage, 
our historic traditions, our ancient teachings, our ethics, and our 
spiritual ideals in the free climate of our Nation.

[[Page 18970]]

  Mindful of our manifold blessings and with deep gratitude in our 
hearts to the God of Israel, who, in 1654, led our forebears to the 
shores of this great new land,
  We have proclaimed the period from Elul 5764 (September 2004) through 
Elul 5765 (September 2005) to be one of special thanksgiving, prayer, 
study, reflection and celebration to mark the 350th Anniversary of 
Jewish Communal Life in America. We call on all American Jewry to 
participate in the observance of this anniversary; to thank God for the 
bountiful blessings that have been bestowed on us in this remarkable 
land. Let us express our collective hope that peace, security, and 
prosperity will reign in our Nation for all.
  May the principles of freedom and liberty that have been the lodestar 
values of this great Republic continue to radiate their blessings on 
our Nation.
  Central Conference of American Rabbis
  Rabbi Harry Danziger, President
  Rabbinical Assembly
  Rabbi Perry Raphael Rank, President
  Rabbinical Council of America
  Rabbi Dale Polakoff, President
  Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association
  Rabbi Brant Rosen, President.

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