Calling on elected officials and civil society leaders to counter antisemitism and educate the public on the contributions of the Jewish American community.
H. Res. 352 is a House resolution recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month and reaffirming congressional support for celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of Jewish Americans. The resolution traces the observance back to the 1980 Jewish Heritage Week proclamation and notes that presidents of both parties have continued issuing annual proclamations since 2006. It highlights Jewish Americans’ contributions across many fields, including science, technology, business, the arts, government, military service, and consumer innovation.
The resolution also responds to the rise in antisemitism in the United States after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. It cites survey data from the American Jewish Committee and Hillel International indicating heightened fear and experiences of antisemitism among Jewish adults and college students. In response, the House calls on elected officials, faith leaders, civil society leaders, the executive branch, and state and local leaders to condemn antisemitism, educate the public about Jewish-American contributions, and take steps to ensure the safety, security, and dignity of American Jews in daily life, including on campuses, in workplaces, in synagogues, and at home.
As a resolution, H. Res. 352 does not amend state or federal statutes or create enforceable legal rights or duties. Its practical effect is expressive and advisory: it urges public officials at all levels to promote education about Jewish-American heritage and to counter antisemitism, while encouraging efforts to protect Jewish communities. The measure may influence public messaging, school or civic programming, and government awareness campaigns, but it does not itself change statutory law.
The overall sentiment around the bill appears strongly supportive and bipartisan. The House passed it overwhelmingly by a vote of 420-1 under suspension of the rules, indicating broad agreement with both the recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month and the call to combat antisemitism. The tone of the resolution is celebratory and protective, emphasizing appreciation for Jewish-American contributions alongside concern about rising hate incidents.
There is little evidence of substantive contention in the available record, and no committee debate transcript is provided. The only visible dissent is the single opposing vote on final passage, but the record does not identify the reason. The resolution’s references to antisemitism after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and its call for government and civil society action suggest the main policy emphasis is on public education and community safety rather than on regulatory changes, which likely contributed to the broad support.