The Times of Israel
‘Jewish heritage is American heritage,’ says Biden
US vice president delivers gushing speech at Democratic Party’s Jewish heritage month event, credits Jews with social change on gay rights
22 May 2013
US Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday night praised the Jewish contribution to American society, saying influential Jews helped change attitudes toward gay rights and same-sex marriage.
“The truth is that Jewish heritage, Jewish culture, Jewish values are such an essential part of who we are that it’s fair to say that Jewish heritage is American heritage,” Biden said at a reception hosted by the Democratic National Committee in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month. …
“No group has had such an outsized influence per capita,” he said….
The media and arts were a step ahead of the public when it came to advancing gay rights, the vice president said. Public acceptance of drastic social changes took time. “It wasn’t anything we legislatively did. It was ‘Will and Grace,’ it was the social media. Literally. That’s what changed peoples’ attitudes.”
“Think behind of all that, I bet you 85 percent of those changes, whether it’s in Hollywood or social media, are a consequence of Jewish leaders in the industry,” he said. “The influence is immense.” …
“Jewish heritage has shaped who we are….”
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