Senator Daphne Campbell Seeks to Declare Jewish American Heritage Week
Aiming to broaden recognition of the rich history and culture Jewish Americans have contributed to North America and the state of Florida, state Senator Daphne Campbell (D- District 38) on Tuesday filed a resolution declaring the week of February 12th as Jewish American Heritage week in Florida.
“I am proud to sponsor the first-ever resolution in the Florida Senate declaring Jewish Heritage Week in the State of Florida. This resolution is important to me because in my district, I represent a large population of Jewish Floridians and recognize the positive impact that the Jewish community plays in advancing the state of Florida,” said Senator Campbell.
The resolution pays tribute to the unique cultures, customs, and dynamic heritage that derived from Jewish Americans. If the measure is successful, Jewish American Heritage Week will be observed in Florida, February 12-16, 2018.
Senator Campbell Commemorates the Long-Standing History between Haiti and Israel 1947-2018
This year we celebrate 70 years of the passing of the United Nation resolution for the formation of the Jewish State of Israel, where Haiti cast the deciding vote in the debate at the United Nations General Assembly.
The nations of Israel and Haiti share a long and unique relationship. Before the independence of Haiti years ago, the people of Haiti experienced a period of slavery, reminiscent of what the Jewish People experienced for 210 years in Egypt.
“Not many people know about the relationship between Haiti and Israel, and I am happy to share this part of our joint history,” said Senator Campbell.
After the 2010 devastating earthquake in Haiti, Israel was the first country to come and set up field hospitals and initiate other vital work. Haiti remains grateful to Israel for their help in their time of need. Baby boys born in these field hospitals were named ‘Israel’ in memorization of Israel’s significant role in the aftermath of the earthquake.”
The Jewish community was deeply en rooted in Haiti during colonial times, mainly because of the Inquisition of 1492 in the Iberian Peninsula which forced Jewish people to flee, convert or be killed for practicing their religion, leading many Jewish people to flee to Haiti. Throughout the 1600’s, various laws ordered all the Jewish people out of the French colonies of America. Jewish people fled and found haven in Haiti, with many of these residents subsequently establishing thriving communities and businesses.
In the 1800’s, Jewish people fled pogroms and the oppressive laws of Poland and the Levant, and found asylum in Haiti. They settled on the coastline, and in port cities, as many of them were involved in commerce and trade.
Haiti was instrumental in saving the lives of 70 Jewish families during the Holocaust. According to the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, an estimated total of up to 300 Jews who fled Nazi Germany came to Haiti. There were others who never came to Haiti, but were given Haitian passports by the Haitian Government which allowed them to flee Germany and relocate to other countries, escaping certain death.
The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling for Palestine to be apportioned between Arabs and Jews, allowing for the formation of the Jewish State of Israel. Passage of the resolution required a 2/3 majority of the valid votes, not counting abstaining and absent members of the UN’s then 56-member states. The United Nations General Assembly voted 33 to 13, with 10 abstentions and 1 absence, confirming the establishment of the Jewish State of Israel. Haiti cast the deciding vote in the debate at the United Nations General Assembly on the existence of Israel as a nation in modern times.
