VOA标准英语2010年-Obama Holds Reception for Jewish Ameri

Los Angeles Dodgers¹ Hall of Fame baseball pitcher² Sandy Koufax is pictured with President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama at an event honoring Jewish American Heritage Month in the East Room of the White House in Washington, 27 May 2010

U.S. President Obama held a reception Thursday at the White House in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month.  Among those attending were Jews from all walks of life including national and local politicians, entrepreneurs and Olympic athletes.

"The diversity of talents and accomplishments³ represented in this room underscores the vast contributions that Jewish Americans have made to this country," said the president. "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 for Jews seeking to live without the specter 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 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," he added.

Mr. Obama also said, "as Jews sought freedom and opportunity in America, these waves of immigrants and generations that followed have helped to make America what it is."  He also noted⁷ that the U.S., along with many countries, is struggling with a number of issues which are challenging citizens. The President said that it is his duty and the duty of all American leaders to make life better for one another and that he will strive everyday to assure this.

Mr. Obama said that efforts are bolstered⁸ 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," he added.

The U.S. president said his 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 -- that happens to me all the time," he said.

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

President Obama said everyone at the White House reception "stands at the end of an unbroken chain of perserverance and a conviction that a better future is possible."  He said it is a lesson not only for Jewish Americans but for all Americans and ultimately that is what is being celebrated⁹ during Jewish American Heritage Month.
 

1 dodgers   

n.躲闪者，欺瞒者( dodger的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a crackdown on fare dodgers on trains 对火车逃票者的严厉打击
• But Twain, Howells, and James were jeeringly described by Mencken as "draft-dodgers". 不过吐温、豪威尔斯和詹姆斯都是被门肯讥诮地叫做“逃避兵役的人。” 来自辞典例句

2 pitcher   

n.(有嘴和柄的)大水罐；(棒球)投手

参考例句：

• He poured the milk out of the pitcher.他从大罐中倒出牛奶。
• Any pitcher is liable to crack during a tight game.任何投手在紧张的比赛中都可能会失常。

3 accomplishments   

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   

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   

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   

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 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

8 bolstered   

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

9 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。