Politics and the Delaware Jewish Community
Sunday, April 28, 2013
4:00 – 6:00 pm
Space is limited and reservations are recommended
Please RSVP by April 20 to 302-655-6232 or rsvp@jhsdelaware.org
Bernard and Ruth Siegel Jewish Community Center
101 Garden of Eden Road
Wilmington, DE 19803
A reception with light refreshments will follow the program.
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn will address the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware at its annual meeting on Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 4 p.m. at the Bernard and Ruth Siegel Jewish Community Center, 101 Garden of Eden Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19803.
The program, Politics and the Delaware Jewish Community, will be introduced by Toni Young. Toni will present an historical perspective on Delaware Jews in public service and politics for 140 years — building a foundation for Governor Jack Markell and Lt. Governor Matt Denn leading the “First State.”
Matt has been very active with the Jewish Federation of Delaware and similar organizations. Lt. Governor Matt Denn grew up in New Castle County, attended Yorklyn Elementary and H.B. DuPont Middle School before his family moved to California. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and Yale Law School. Matt was elected State Insurance Commissioner before election to his present office.
Toni Young is a past president of the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware and author of Becoming American, Remaining Jewish : The Story of Wilmington, Delaware’s First Jewish Community, 1879-1924 (University of Delaware Press, 1999) and The Grand Experience : A Drama in Five Acts (American Life Foundation for the Grand Opera House, 1976). She was recipient of the Delaware History Makers Award which recognizes living individuals whose life experiences in Delaware have helped them make extraordinary and lasting contributions to the quality of life in Delaware, our nation, or the world.
As unusual as it may seem to have two members of our relatively small Jewish community leading our state, our community’s involvement in Delaware politics and undertaking leadership roles, both as Democrats and Republicans, goes back to the early days of the 20th century.
The annual meeting will be an opportunity to reflect on our accomplishments in community leadership and, hopefully, provide and inspiration to future generations to continue the record of service and leadership for all the people of Delaware.
Seating is limited in the Jewish Community Center auditorium and reservations are recommended. Please RSVP by April 20 to 302-655-6232. The annual meeting will follow the Community Israel Independence Day Celebration which will begin at 2 p.m. and end before the annual meeting at 4 p.m. Light refreshments will be served after the annual meeting. The program is open to all and admission will be free.
About the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware
Founded in 1974, the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware acquires, preserves, and publishes materials pertaining to the history of Jewish settlement and life in Delaware. Membership in the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware is open to all who are interested in supporting its mission. To learn about becoming a member, e-mail jhsdel@yahoo.com.