East Room
4:46 P.M. EDT
THE FIRST LADY: Now everyb- — everybody gets quiet. It's like the first day of class. (Laughter.)
So, hello, everyone, and welcome to the White House. (Applause.) And we are honored to have you here for this administration's first Jewish American Heritage Month Reception. (Applause.)
Every morning as the sun illuminates the eastern shores of the United States, the Statue of Liberty glows with welcome for the new day. It's a beacon of friendship, of possibility, of freedom that lives in our hearts as well. And emblazoned on its base are the words of Emma Lazarus. Quote — you kno- — you probably all know this. "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…I lift my lamp beside the golden door."
It's a declaration that Jewish Americans — your wisdom, your hope, your light, and your love — are a part of this country's foundation and its future.
The history lives on in all of you. And as you share it, the world becomes stronger and more beautiful: When you fight for your community and stand against injustice, following the legacy of this freedom and the freedom fighters who came before. When you share memories of your parents and grandparents, each story coming to life with more details than a picture could ever convey. When you make your favorite recipe with exacting care, savoring the taste of traditions passed from mother to daughter, father to son.
And as you forge your futures, these legacies guide your path with meaning and love, creating something new and bold and bright.
History lives inside the White House, too, hammered into the beams of these walls and swirling in the marble of each fireplace. It tells the stories of where we've come from and who we've been.
And yet, looking around today, we know that it, too, can grow and evolve and begin something new. With our unique traditions and talents, with our love and our laughter, with our faith in the future we want, we breathe new life into these halls.
This is an historic house, but you make it home, alive with purpose and possibility.
Today, let us remember the past with wisdom and turn toward the future with joy. Let us continue honoring the people who helped get us here. And together, we will shape this country we call home, meeting each new day with faith, hope, and hard work.
Thank you. (Applause.)
And now we have a special performance by the stars of "Parade" on Broadway, Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond. (Applause.)
"Parade" tells the story of Leo Frank, who at 31 years old was wrongfully convicted of murder, kidnapped, and lynched because he was Jewish.
We are proud to bring his story to the biggest stage we could: the White House. (Applause.)
(Musical performance by Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond begins.)
(Musical performance by Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond concludes.)
THE FIRST LADY: That was so beautiful. Can we give another round of applause, please, to Ben and Micaela and Jason? (Applause.)
Thank you so much for coming to the White House and for sharing really your passion and really a piece of history with us. So, I appreciate your coming. Thank — we — we all love that are you here. (Laughs.) Thank you. Thank you so much.
And now you have to run and go back to New York, right?
MR. PLATT: That's right. We have an eight o'clock show.
THE FIRST LADY: Oh, my God. (Laughter.) Isn't that amazing?
Well, thank you.
MR. PLATT: Thank you for having us.
THE FIRST LADY: Aww, thanks. (Applause.)
I love how he offered her some of his water when he was up here. (Laughs.)
We're good? Okay. Because I didn't know whether I had to, like, do my own performance myself. (Laughter.)
But apparently Joe made it, so — there was — there's a little bit going on today. (Laughter.) So, I guess is the voice of God going to announce him out? Yes. (Laughter.) Okay. I'm done.
THE SECOND GENTLEMAN: Okay. Good afternoon, everyone.
AUDIENCE: Good afternoon!
THE SECOND GENTLEMAN: President Biden. First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden. My wife, Kamala Harris, the Vice President. Hello, Vice President! (Laughter and applause.) And all of our esteemed guests. It is so great to join you for a Jewish American Heritage Month celebration at the White House! (Applause.)
We have come together to celebrate our heritage and honor the achievements of Jewish Americans throughout history. And that history goes all the way back to our founding, when Jewish American patriots fought to help secure independence and later helped save our union during the Civil War and have fought so valiantly in all subsequent wars.
And throughout the eras, there have been outstanding Jewish Americans who have achieved so much in their fields — legendary activists, artists, entertainers, athletes, businesspeople, those in politics, and so many more. And we especially pay tribute to all of those who struggled and persevered and who fought for equality, for justice, for fairness so that all of us could be here today.
And I look around this room, I see a lot of friends, but I also see so many leaders that are continuing this fight for justice, for equality. I see educators, my fellow lawyers, artists, chefs, community leaders, advocates, leaders in our military, leaders in our government — Jewish Americans achieving at the highest levels of success.
And how proud our ancestors would be — (applause) — to see us all here today, after many fled persecution, including my own ancestors, to live their dreams in the United States of America.
And that is what makes America special. That is the promise of America. It's a place where everyone can live freely and proudly as they are. But now it's up to us, in our time, right now, to build on that legacy.
Because right now, we are experiencing a marked rise in antisemitism not only in our country but throughout the world. And it's unfortunately part of an overall epidemic of hate.
But I know that I'm doing everything I can to fight back — (applause) — fighting lies with truth, educating others about the truth of the Holocaust and who we are as Jews, and building coalitions — because we can't do this alone — and allyship with people of different faiths and backgrounds, because we all need to be in this fight together so we can all live openly and proudly and without fear. (Applause.)
And there's no one who is fighting harder to push back against hatred and bigotry and to unite our country than President Biden and Vice President Harris. (Applause.)
My wife, the Vice President, encouraged me — (laughter) — she did. She did. She encouraged me to lean into this fight. And she told me, "Dougie…" — (laughter) — she calls me "Dougie" — but she said, "This issue found you. Now lean into it."
And right before I left for my trip to Poland and Germany, in part to recognize International Holocaust Remembrance Day, this man right here, President Biden, pulled me into the Oval Office, and he told me how important the fight against antisemitism was to him.
And, Mr. President, I'll never forget how you shared your personal memories and stories with me about how you visited Dachau concentration camp, how important it was to go with your own children and grandchildren.
And you told me about your father, how he felt the anger he had about what was going on and how the Allies had not bombed the train tracks leading to the concentration camps. So I took that with me to Europe, and I'll be forever grateful.
And I'm so grateful that we have a President and a Vice President who are tireless advocates for our Jewish community — (applause) — both as they combat hatred but also as they celebrate our heritage.
