奥巴马演讲 Honoring Jewish American Heritage Mon
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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)

Hello, hello, hello!  Thank you.  Thank you. (Applause.)  Everybody, thank you.  Please have a seat.  Thank you so much.  Thank you so much.  It is wonderful to see all of you, and I am proud to welcome you to the first ever event held at the White House to honor Jewish American Heritage Month.  (Applause.)

This is a pretty -- pretty fancy group here, pretty distinguished1(著名的,高贵的) group.  We've got senators and representatives. We've got Supreme2 Court justices and successful entrepreneurs(企业家) , rabbinical(犹太教祭祀的) scholars, Olympic athletes -- and Sandy Koufax.  (Applause.)  Sandy and I actually have something in common -- we are both lefties.  (Laughter.)  He can't pitch on Yom Kippur; I can't pitch.  (Laughter.)  

I’m looking forward to the reading by Rabbi Alyssa Stanton, the performance by Regina Spektor.

I know that my Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, wanted to be here but, as some of you know, he is in Israel for the Bar Mitzvah of his son.

The diversity of talents and accomplishments3 represented in this room underscores the vast contributions that Jewish Americans have made to this country.  Of course, it’s impossible to separate the achievements of Jewish Americans from the struggles of Jewish people around the world.  Even before we were a nation, we were a sanctuary4(避难所) for Jews seeking to live without the specter(妖怪,幽灵) of violence or exile.  That’s what drew a band of 23 Jewish refugees to a place called New Amsterdam more than 350 years ago.  That’s what brought Jewish immigrants fleeing pogroms(大屠杀) on a long journey to America in the last turn of the century.  And that’s what led Holocaust5 survivors6 and Jews trapped behind the Iron Curtain to travel to these shores to rebuild their lives.

As Jews sought freedom and opportunity in America, these waves of immigrants and generations that followed have helped to make America what it is -- richer, stronger, more prosperous -- from the discoveries of Jonas Salk to the pioneering work of Albert Einstein; from the music of Irving Berlin to the poetry of Emma Lazarus.  And then there are the countless7 names that we don't know -- the teachers, the small business owners, the doctors and nurses, the people who seek only to live honestly and faithfully and to give their children more than they had.  Jewish Americans have always been a critical part of the American story.

These contributions have not always been embraced.  Jewish communities have at times faced hardship and hostility8 -– right here in the United States of America -- a reminder9 that we have to respond at all times swiftly and firmly whenever bigotry10(顽固,偏执) rears its ugly head.  But no matter what the obstacles, Jewish Americans have endured –- learning from each other, leaning on each other, true to their faith, leaning on the values that have been associated for so long with Jewish history:  a sense of community, a sense of moral purpose, and an ethic11 of responsibility.

So it’s heartening to know that these are the enduring values of a history marked by so much tragedy –- not cynicism or despair, not callous12(无情的,麻木的) indifference13.  Every person in this room knows somebody –- perhaps a mother or father, an aunt, an uncle, perhaps yourself –- who exemplifies this heritage.  Every person in this room stands at the end of an unbroken chain of perseverance14 –- of a conviction that a better future is possible -- that doesn’t just offer a lesson to Jewish Americans.  It offers a lesson to all Americans.  And ultimately, that is what we are celebrating today.

Yes, Jewish Americans have garnered15(储存,获得) success in industry and in government -– as we can see by the guests gathered here today. Yes, Jews have helped to pioneer incredible advances in science and medicine, across countless fields.  But the contributions of the Jewish community to America run deeper.  As a product of history and faith, Jewish Americans have helped to open our eyes to injustice16, to people in need, and to the simple idea that we ought to recognize ourselves in the struggles of our fellow men and women.

That’s what’s led Jewish advocates(提倡,主张) to fight for women’s equality and workers’ rights.  That’s what led rabbis(拉比,法学博士) to preach against racism17 from the bimah(诵经台) -– and to lead congregants(召集人,聚会者) on marches and protests to stop segregation18(隔离,分离) .   And that is what helped lead America to recognize and support Israel as a Jewish homeland and a beacon19 for democratic values -– beginning mere20 minutes after its independence was declared.  In fact, we have the original statement by President Harry21 Truman on display here today.

So what we are called upon to do now is to continue to live up to those values as a nation -– to continue to uphold the principle of “tikkun olam” -- our obligation to repair the world. Here at home, at a time of continuing struggle for millions of families, it is incumbent22(在职者,现任者) upon us to remain focused not only on rebuilding our economy but rebuilding it stronger than before.  And I’d note that our efforts are bolstered23(支持,支撑) by the work of so many Jewish organizations that help the sick and educate our children and provide assistance to seniors and others in need.

But our responsibility doesn’t end at the water’s edge.  That’s why my administration is renewing American leadership around the world –- strengthening old alliances and forging new ones, defending universal values while ensuring that we uphold our values here at home.  In fact, it’s our common values that leads us to stand with allies and friends, including the state of Israel.  That’s why, even as we never waver in pursuing peace --
(pager beeps) -- that happens to me all the time.  (Laughter.)

That is why even as we never waver in pursuing peace between Israelis, Palestinians, and Arabs, our bond with Israel is unbreakable.  (Applause.)  It is the bond of two peoples that share a commitment to a common set of ideals:  opportunity, democracy and freedom.

Those ideals are what have drawn24 generations to these shores.  Those ideals are what have allowed Jewish immigrants to seek a better life in America -– while enriching the life of our country.  And those ideals are what you and all Jewish Americans continue to help us uphold each and every day.
 
So thank you.  God bless you.  And may God bless the United States of America.  (Applause.)

END



点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 distinguished wu9z3v     
adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的
参考例句:
  • Elephants are distinguished from other animals by their long noses.大象以其长长的鼻子显示出与其他动物的不同。
  • A banquet was given in honor of the distinguished guests.宴会是为了向贵宾们致敬而举行的。
2 supreme PHqzc     
adj.极度的,最重要的;至高的,最高的
参考例句:
  • It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
  • He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。
3 accomplishments 1c15077db46e4d6425b6f78720939d54     
n.造诣;完成( accomplishment的名词复数 );技能;成绩;成就
参考例句:
  • It was one of the President's greatest accomplishments. 那是总统最伟大的成就之一。
  • Among her accomplishments were sewing,cooking,playing the piano and dancing. 她的才能包括缝纫、烹调、弹钢琴和跳舞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
4 sanctuary iCrzE     
n.圣所,圣堂,寺庙;禁猎区,保护区
参考例句:
  • There was a sanctuary of political refugees behind the hospital.医院后面有一个政治难民的避难所。
  • Most countries refuse to give sanctuary to people who hijack aeroplanes.大多数国家拒绝对劫机者提供庇护。
5 holocaust dd5zE     
n.大破坏;大屠杀
参考例句:
  • The Auschwitz concentration camp always remind the world of the holocaust.奥辛威茨集中营总是让世人想起大屠杀。
  • Ahmadinejad is denying the holocaust because he's as brutal as Hitler was.内贾德否认大屠杀,因为他像希特勒一样残忍。
6 survivors 02ddbdca4c6dba0b46d9d823ed2b4b62     
幸存者,残存者,生还者( survivor的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The survivors were adrift in a lifeboat for six days. 幸存者在救生艇上漂流了六天。
  • survivors clinging to a raft 紧紧抓住救生筏的幸存者
7 countless 7vqz9L     
adj.无数的,多得不计其数的
参考例句:
  • In the war countless innocent people lost their lives.在这场战争中无数无辜的人丧失了性命。
  • I've told you countless times.我已经告诉你无数遍了。
8 hostility hdyzQ     
n.敌对,敌意;抵制[pl.]交战,战争
参考例句:
  • There is open hostility between the two leaders.两位领导人表现出公开的敌意。
  • His hostility to your plan is well known.他对你的计划所持的敌意是众所周知的。
9 reminder WkzzTb     
n.提醒物,纪念品;暗示,提示
参考例句:
  • I have had another reminder from the library.我又收到图书馆的催还单。
  • It always took a final reminder to get her to pay her share of the rent.总是得发给她一份最后催缴通知,她才付应该交的房租。
10 bigotry Ethzl     
n.偏见,偏执,持偏见的行为[态度]等
参考例句:
  • She tried to dissociate herself from the bigotry in her past.她力图使自己摆脱她以前的偏见。
  • At least we can proceed in this matter without bigotry.目前这件事咱们至少可以毫无偏见地进行下去。
11 ethic ziGz4     
n.道德标准,行为准则
参考例句:
  • They instilled the work ethic into their children.他们在孩子们的心中注入了职业道德的理念。
  • The connotation of education ethic is rooted in human nature's mobility.教育伦理的内涵根源于人本性的变动性。
12 callous Yn9yl     
adj.无情的,冷淡的,硬结的,起老茧的
参考例句:
  • He is callous about the safety of his workers.他对他工人的安全毫不关心。
  • She was selfish,arrogant and often callous.她自私傲慢,而且往往冷酷无情。
13 indifference k8DxO     
n.不感兴趣,不关心,冷淡,不在乎
参考例句:
  • I was disappointed by his indifference more than somewhat.他的漠不关心使我很失望。
  • He feigned indifference to criticism of his work.他假装毫不在意别人批评他的作品。
14 perseverance oMaxH     
n.坚持不懈,不屈不挠
参考例句:
  • It may take some perseverance to find the right people.要找到合适的人也许需要有点锲而不舍的精神。
  • Perseverance leads to success.有恒心就能胜利。
15 garnered 60d1f073f04681f98098b8374f4a7693     
v.收集并(通常)贮藏(某物),取得,获得( garner的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • Mr. Smith gradually garnered a national reputation as a financial expert. 史密斯先生逐渐赢得全国金融专家的声誉。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He has garnered extensive support for his proposals. 他的提议得到了广泛的支持。 来自辞典例句
16 injustice O45yL     
n.非正义,不公正,不公平,侵犯(别人的)权利
参考例句:
  • They complained of injustice in the way they had been treated.他们抱怨受到不公平的对待。
  • All his life he has been struggling against injustice.他一生都在与不公正现象作斗争。
17 racism pSIxZ     
n.民族主义;种族歧视(意识)
参考例句:
  • He said that racism is endemic in this country.他说种族主义在该国很普遍。
  • Racism causes political instability and violence.种族主义道致政治动荡和暴力事件。
18 segregation SESys     
n.隔离,种族隔离
参考例句:
  • Many school boards found segregation a hot potato in the early 1960s.在60年代初,许多学校部门都觉得按水平分班是一个棘手的问题。
  • They were tired to death of segregation and of being kicked around.他们十分厌恶种族隔离和总是被人踢来踢去。
19 beacon KQays     
n.烽火,(警告用的)闪火灯,灯塔
参考例句:
  • The blink of beacon could be seen for miles.灯塔的光亮在数英里之外都能看见。
  • The only light over the deep black sea was the blink shone from the beacon.黑黢黢的海面上唯一的光明就只有灯塔上闪现的亮光了。
20 mere rC1xE     
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过
参考例句:
  • That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
  • It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。
21 harry heBxS     
vt.掠夺,蹂躏,使苦恼
参考例句:
  • Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天,人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。
  • Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。
22 incumbent wbmzy     
adj.成为责任的,有义务的;现任的,在职的
参考例句:
  • He defeated the incumbent governor by a large plurality.他以压倒多数票击败了现任州长。
  • It is incumbent upon you to warn them.你有责任警告他们。
23 bolstered 8f664011b293bfe505d7464c8bed65c8     
v.支持( bolster的过去式和过去分词 );支撑;给予必要的支持;援助
参考例句:
  • He bolstered his plea with new evidence. 他举出新的证据来支持他的抗辩。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • The data must be bolstered by inferences and indirect estimates of varying degrees of reliability. 这些资料必须借助于推理及可靠程度不同的间接估计。 来自辞典例句
24 drawn MuXzIi     
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的
参考例句:
  • All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
  • Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。
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