Adopt Proclamation declaring May 2026 as "Jewish American Heritage Month" in Santa Clara County. (Ellenberg)

County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors Supervisorial District Four Supervisor Susan Ellenberg 128344 DATE: April 14, 2026 TO: Board of Supervisors FROM: Susan Ellenberg, Supervisor SUBJECT: Proclamation for Jewish American Heritage Month RECOMMENDED ACTION Adopt Proclamation declaring May 2026 as "Jewish American Heritage Month" in Santa Clara County. (Ellenberg) FISCAL IMPLICATIONS CONTRACT HISTORY REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION CHILD IMPACT The recommended action will have no/neutral impact on children and youth. SENIOR IMPACT The recommended action will have no/neutral impact on seniors. SUSTAINABILITY IMPLICATIONS The recommended action will have no/neutral sustainability implications. BACKGROUND CONSEQUENCES OF NEGATIVE ACTION STEPS FOLLOWING APPROVAL Board of Supervisors: Sylvia Arenas, Betty Duong, Otto Lee, Susan Ellenberg, Margaret Abe-Koga County Executive: James R. Williams Page 1 of 1

Jewish Americans trace their Jewish roots back millennia to the land called the Fertile Crescent, a region in the Middle East encompassing Palestine, modern Israel, Lebanon and parts of Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and southeastern Turkey and, today, can be found in many countries around the world; WHEREAS, for centuries, Jewish refugees fleeing economic hardship, oppression, discrimination, pogroms, expulsions and a Holocaust traveled to the United States of America in search of sanctuary. Early on, they fought for religious freedom, helping define one of the bedrock principles upon which America was built Union soldiers celebrated Passover in the midst of the Civil War. Jewish suffragists fought to expand freedom and justice. Jewish faith leaders linked arms with giants of the Civil Rights Movement to demand equal rights for all. A Jewish woman composed The New Colossus poem that is enshrined at the base of the Statue of Liberty. Jewish activists formed the backbone of the early Labor movement; WHEREAS, Jewish Americans constitute approximately 2.4% of the overall U.S. population and enrich every part of American life as educators and entrepreneurs, athletes and artists, scientists...