Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) in May recognizes Jewish contributions to American culture, history, military, science, government, and more. In 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month. This was a result of a concerted effort by American Jewish leaders to introduce resolutions in both the U.S. Senate and the House urging the President to proclaim a month specifically recognizing Jews in America and their contributions to the United States.
Governor Greg Abbott has issued a proclamation celebrating May as Jewish American Heritage Month.
Classroom Resources
For turn-key lessons in the K-12 classroom, use Weitzman Museum’s list of searchable lessons that come from trusted places such as the Institute for Curriculum Resources, ADL, ConnectEd, The Jewish Museum, and the Tenement Museum.
Need resources that work for multiple audiences and purposes? Find resources for JAHM, general teaching ideas, and both picture and chapter books on this website.
Join the Institute for Curriculum Services in live webinars throughout the months of April and May, or register for an online course prepping teachers for ICS's brand new curriculum entitled Jewish Voices in Early America: Religious Liberty and Civic Participation.
For classroom read-alouds, check your local library for books on this curated list created by the Association of Jewish Libraries.
For San Antonio information, visit this website to find links to register for an April 21st webinar, printable Jewish American hero posters, and information about PJ JAHM in the Park scheduled for May 3rd at 4.
For Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum resources for Jewish American Heritage Month, visit this website.
For an easy overall plan for both promoting and teaching, use Shalom Austin’s Toolkit with background information, useful links, media information, and a ready-to-print letter home.
JAHM Recommended Readings
The following titles are arranged alphabetically by author. Please click on each image to find a brief description and age recommendation.
Ades, Audrey and Vivien Mildenberger. Judah Touro Didn’t Want to Be Famous. Picture book that profiles a real-life 19th-Century Sephardic philanthropist who made his home in New Orleans and gave away more money than any other American of his time.
Age recommendation: K through 3rd grade
Krensky, Stephen and Greg Harlin. Hanukkah at Valley Forge. Picture book portraying a Jewish soldier’s conversation with General Washington about the holiday during the Revolutionary War.
Age recommendation: K through 3rd grade
Lehman-Wilzig, Tami, and Rabbi Deborah R. Prinz. The Boston Chocolate Party. Picture book describing how a Sephardic family brings Chanukah hot chocolate to people who are protesting oppressive taxes on tea.
Age recommendation: K through 3rd grade
Taylor, Sidney. All-of-a-Kind Family Uptown. Book 4 of the classic autobiographical novel series set in NYC during WWI depicts children of immigrants; highlights Jewish traditions and holidays and the family’s interactions with non-Jewish neighbors; author has been called “the Jewish Louisa May Alcott”
Age recommendation: 2nd though 5th grades
Yolen, Jane and Laura Barella. Rebecca’s Prayer for President Lincoln. Picture book depicting how the Jewish community in New York City reacts to the sudden announcement of the president’s death.
Age recommendation: 1st through 2nd grades