America's Table, a Thanksgiving Booklet Celebrating Diversity, Now Available, Says American Jewish Committee
Contact: Kenneth Bandler 212-891-6771 or bandlerk@ajc.org, Michael Geller, 212-891-1385 or gellerm@ajc.org, both of the American Jewish Committee
NEW YORK, Oct. 17 -- Celebrating the diversity of American society, the American Jewish Committee presents America's Table, a brief booklet to be read at Thanksgiving dinner tables across the country.
The booklet sets forth America's story, enabling all people, regardless of ethnicity or faith, to express gratitude for being part of the American journey. To help tell the story, America's Table profiles nine men and women, including Norman Mineta, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, and Guillermo Linares, commissioner of immigration affairs for the City of New York, whose backgrounds, struggles and triumphs link them as Americans. Copies are available by contacting Michael Geller at gellerm@ajc.org AJC chapters across the country will be hosting intergroup community events in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. Civic, ethnic and religious leaders will come together to read from America's Table, to share their respective family's journey to America, and discuss current intergroup relations challenges.
America's Table was created five years ago after AJC recognized a need for community-based spirituality and togetherness following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. It has since become a holiday ritual that helps all Americans find common ground in a world where divisiveness takes center stage far too often.
For the third year, AJC has partnered with the New York Times Knowledge Network to distribute thousands of copies of America's Table to schoolchildren in New York City, Long Island and Westchester. Teachers participating in the program are using lesson plans designed by the Knowledge Network, in consultation with AJC, that will deepen appreciation for diversity. In addition, one million copies of America's Table will be inserted into the New York Times Magazine on November 12.
America's Table is published by the American Jewish Committee in cooperation with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the National Council of La Raza, the National Urban League, the National Conference for Community and Justice, the Cuban American National Council, the Islamic Supreme Council of America, the Japanese American Citizens League, the New America Alliance, the Organization of Chinese Americans and the Korean-American Jewish- American Council.