Jewish Heritage Week, part of a series of public school programs designed to unite the various racial and ethnic groups in our city, was officially proclaimed yesterday at a reception at City Hail. The program, which was launched four years ago, will run from April 21-27. New York State Attorney General Robert Abrams, who presided over yesterday’s reception and is chairman of Jewish Heritage Week, stated that the program has grown more successful with each passing year, with 750.000 students having participated in the spring of 1979.
According to Abrams, who suggested the idea of the week when he was Bronx Borough President, the function of the series of events next week is to break down the racial barriers in many schools by giving students a greater understanding of their various types of peers.
Mayor Edward Koch, who was not able to attend the reception, stated in his proclamation on Jewish Heritage Week that the period is a “unique opportunity to help faster a climate of mutual respect and understanding in our city.” Noting that the theme of the celebration is “Living Together, Learning Together, ” Koch added: “While it is most meaningful to the Jewish student in the public school system, Jewish Heritage. Week provides a unique opportunity for hundreds of thousands of non-Jewish students to gain a better understanding of the Jewish community.”
The lesson plan for Jewish Heritage Week, which was distributed to teachers this week consists of discussions on general Jewish history, a perspective on Jewish involvement in American society, the Hebrew language, Jewish culture and the arts, lessons of the Holocaust, and, finally, the major concerns of American Jews today. As further incentive for student involvement, contests are being held with prizes being given to those entrees which show extraordinary talent in their chosen medium. Among those prizes offered is a trip to Israel.
Highlights of yesterday’s celebration, which was attended by several hundred people; included a concert from both the Ramaz School Chair and “Talent Unlimited,” a non-Jewish chorus of students from public schools across the city.
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