Posted By richards on April 25, 2013
May is Jewish American Heritage Month, a time in our country when we recognize and celebrate the unique contributions that Jewish Americans have made to our history. We do so to raise awareness and dispel harmful prejudices.
Like Black History Month and Womens History Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, or JAHM, recognizes the notable contributions American Jews have made to the United States throughout its history. This year, we are celebrating the contributions Jewish entertainers have made to American culture.
For generations, Jewish entertainers have made us laugh and moved us to tears through their creative work. Theyve also taught us important life lessons, making us think about the messages within the entertainment. Theyve helped audiences ponder some of lifes toughest issues bigotry and tolerance, perseverance and determination, honesty and forgiveness.
As an audience, we often recognize the entertainers but sometimes lose sight of the people behind the scenes the directors, producers, writers and composers whose vision is what these entertainers bring to life. For generations, Jewish Americans words and music have leapt from the page to the stage, bringing us into the worlds of generations past, into the traditions of other cultures and into the living rooms of families beyond our own.
Leonard Bernstein showed us how vulnerable life can be when prejudice and hatred prevail over love. In West Side Story, Bernstein brought Romeo and Juliet in to modern times, showing us through song that we can respect each other even if we come from different backgrounds or nationalities.
Steven Spielberg brought us closer to the horrors of the Holocaust when he introduced us to a man named Oskar Schindler. In his film Schindlers List, Spielberg brought a relatively unknown Oskar Schindler to life for the generations who followed him, showing us how the compassion of an ordinary man could triumph over prejudice. Spielberg once said the best way to teach empathy is with examples of it, so that maybe someday, kindness will be a natural reflex and not just a random act.
Nora Ephron made a name for herself first as a journalist and then as an award-winning screen writer, leaving us iconic movies such as When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle. She also made us laugh with her books full of humorous insights and observations about the world around us.
In Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory producer David Wolper took us on a journey of imagination while teaching us and our children a valuable lesson about greed and honesty. He showed us how the greatest rewards can sometimes come from the simplest acts.
How can we forget Norman Lears iconic sitcom, All In The Family? Each week, Americans were given a front row seat on Archie Bunkers couch. Norman Lear used humor to show us how prejudice and bigotry can live right next door. However, as the times changed, so did Archie.
And our society changed right along with him. And now, Steven Levitan brings us Modern Family a new look at how our society has evolved throughout the generations, bringing blended-families and nontraditional families to primetime network television.
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Celebrating Entertainment Milestones During Jewish American History Month
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