- Quick, who was Judith Resnik?
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- If President Bush heeds Thursday's congressional resolution
urging him to designate January as Jewish History Month, schoolchildren
across the nation may learn that Resnik was the first Jewish-American woman
astronaut. She was killed in the 1986 explosion of the space shuttle Challenger.
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- The Jewish history resolution was sponsored by U.S. Rep.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Weston Democrat who represents Broward and
Miami-Dade counties and happens to be the first Jewish congresswoman from
Florida.
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- She envisions classroom instruction, public ceremonies
and broadcast announcements similar to those for black and women's history
months in February and March. Whether Jewish History Month would gain that
level of national acceptance and participation depends on whether it is
embraced by schools and other educational institutions.
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- ''There's a generation of children growing up with a
fading memory of what happened during World War II or even an understanding
of anyone who is Jewish or their culture and traditions,'' said Wasserman
Schultz in a telephone interview shortly after the 423-0 vote in the House
of Representatives. ``Through education comes tolerance.''
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- The Jewish history resolution naturally raises questions
about commemorative months for other religious groups.
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- Gary Cass, executive director of the Center for Reclaiming
America, a national Christian organization based in Fort Lauderdale, said
he supported any group's efforts to celebrate its heritage. But just as
he and other Christian conservatives object to secular celebrations of
Christmas, he objects to teaching Jewish history without talk of religious
practices and values. ''We cannot seem to have an honest discussion about
the Christian roots of America,'' he said. ``How much tolerance would [Congresswoman
Wasserman Schultz] have for a Christian Heritage month?''
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- Judaism is unique, Wasserman Schultz said, because it
is both a culture and a religion. She said she would not support teaching
any religion in public schools.
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- The resolution is the second Jewish-oriented measure
spearheaded this month by Wasserman Schultz, who represents a heavily Democratic
and Jewish congressional district. Last week, the House passed her bill
preventing insurers from denying life insurance to applicants who travel
to Israel or other countries perceived as dangerous.
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- Par for the course for this first-year member of Congress
viewed as a rising star.
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- ''When an officeholder has the ability to tap into street-level
issues, it's mighty important and mighty effective,'' said political consultant
Roy Teicher, who works on congressional races.
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- Wasserman Schultz's office said Sen. Arlen Specter pledged
to introduce the same resolution, though Bush could act on the House resolution
alone.
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- The House stopped passing laws commemorating a certain
period of time in 1995, responding to a deluge of members seeking a symbolic
way to connect with certain constituents or a special interest group. But
that hasn't stopped lawmakers from asking the president to issue proclamations
honoring Irish-Americans, the Wright Brothers and family caregivers.
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- A White House spokesman said the president needs time
to review the Jewish history resolution. Bush has proclaimed a week in
the spring as Jewish Heritage Week every year since 2001.
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- The Jewish experience in America dates back to the arrival
of 23 refugees from Brazil in 1654. Like subsequent waves of Jewish immigrants
in the 19th and 20th centuries, they were escaping religious persecution.
Today, there are more Jews in the United States than any other country.
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- ''As part of a pluralistic, tolerant society, it's worthwhile
for schoolchildren to be instructed in the mosaic that makes up American
society,'' said William Daroff, director of the United Jewish Communities'
Washington office.
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- A Jewish history month would be worthwhile, said Art
Teitelbaum, southern area director for the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish
civil rights organization.
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- ''These efforts at recognizing the contributions of religious
and ethnic groups should also serve as a reminder that we shouldn't confine
our learning and knowledge of the people who make up America to one week
or month, but to incorporate the study of our diverse population throughout
our educational efforts,'' Teitelbaum said.
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- http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/13419045.htm
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