Historic: Cincinnati City Council approves Education Day Resolution

In honor of 11 Nissan, there was a historic event in Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition to the annual proclamation by the Mayor – proclaiming Education Day in Cincinnati – the entire City Council voted unanimously on an official resolution for Education Day.

The difference between a proclamation and resolution: A proclamation is a “day” that is “proclaimed” for an event, person, or organization by the Mayor’s office. It is non-binding and has no vote by Council. A resolution indicates the position of City Council and is voted on by the Council. This means that it will be in the record of Council minutes and it is the official stance of the Council.

Rabbi Gershon Avtzon, and the Talmidei Hashluchim, of Yeshivas Lubavitch Cincinnati went to city hall to receive the resolution from City Council. Rabbi AVtzon arranged that Rabbi Shalom B. Kalmanson, senior shliach of Cincinnati, should address the council and explain the significance of the Education Day.

A quote from the resolution: “WHEREAS, the President of the United States, in conjunction with the Washington, D.C.-based American Friends of Lubavitch, annually designates Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A. on the anniversary of the birth of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Melech Hamoshiach, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who dedicated his life to the cause of education, and this year we celebrate the 120th birthday of the Rebbe on April 12, 2022”

The delegation then distributed Matzah to the Jewish members of Council, with the new “My Story 2” book from JEM, and even celebrated the “Bar-Mitzvah” of one the Jewish city-council members.

Read the text of the resolution below:

RESOLUTION NO. _______ – 2022

RECOGNIZING Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A. in the City of Cincinnati as an opportunity to join governments around the world in dedicating a special 24 hours to focus on the education of our children, its impact on our society, and its deeper meaning for all humankind.

WHEREAS, Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A., established in 1978 by a joint Congressional resolution, focuses on the very foundation of meaningful education: instructing our youth in the ways of morality and ethics, and teaching them an appreciation for divine inviolable values; and

WHEREAS, the President of the United States, in conjunction with the Washington, D.C.-based American Friends of Lubavitch, annually designates Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A. on the anniversary of the birth of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Melech Hamoshiach, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who dedicated his life to the cause of education, and this year we celebrate the 120th birthday of the Rebbe on April 12, 2022; and

WHEREAS, the Rebbe was an advocate for children who spoke about the need for each child to be given an education that offers opportunities to succeed, and that education should focus not only on academic achievements but also on character building; and

WHEREAS, the Rebbe’s emissaries established a network of several thousand Jewish schools and educational centers in the United States and across the globe; and

WHEREAS, in the Rebbe’s own words the goal of Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A. is to “put greater emphasis on the promotion of fundamental human rights and obligations of justice and morality, which are the basis of any human society, if it is to be truly human and not turn into a jungle,” which stresses the need for mindfulness in the general education system; and

WHEREAS, the Rebbe envisioned that Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A. would become a nationally celebrated day and asked local governing bodies and schools to join the call and give attention to this day and to raise awareness around the country and the world; and

WHEREAS, excellence in education is vital to the success of our City and our community, and we strive to instill within each child and adolescent a good education by preparing students for the responsibilities and opportunities of the future through lessons on literacy, math, and science; and

WHEREAS, the Rebbe taught that education should not be limited to the acquisition of knowledge and preparation for a career, but that it should also focus on character building with an emphasis on the universal moral and ethical values that are the basis of any peaceful civilized society; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Cincinnati, State of Ohio:

Section 1. That the Mayor and this Council hereby recognize Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A. in the City of Cincinnati and our community.
Section 2. That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the minutes of Council and a copy be provided to the Council Office of Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney.

Passed: _________________, 2022

                        _________________________________
                                        Aftab Pureval, Mayor

Attest: __________________
Clerk

Submitted by Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney