May 2023: Jewish American Heritage Month

Contributor: The I.D.E.A Committee

May is Jewish American Heritage Month! This annual month-long celebration is an opportunity to honor the accomplishments and contributions of Jewish Americans since their arrival in the 17th century. This heritage month also is a time to examine the life of Jews in America — the difficulties, antisemitism, and discrimination they have faced over the years. Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month beginning May 1 and honor the incredible contributions that Jewish Americans have made to our culture! This national observance was established in 2006 to recognize the unique history and culture of the Jewish American community. Throughout the month, there are many ways to commemorate this important part of our nation's history!

A Few Interesting Facts: Did you know that ….

• In April 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed that May would be celebrated as Jewish American Heritage Month.  
• President Bush recognized the 350-year history of Jewish contributions to America — since the arrival of Jews in New Amsterdam.
• The resolutions introduced by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Sen. Arlen Specter for Jewish American Heritage Month passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate.
• Florida celebrates their own Florida Jewish History Month in January each year. 
• There is an official website for Jewish American Heritage Month that combines the work of the Library of Congress, various National Archives, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. 

A few resources to help expand your knowledge:

Documentaries:

• The Jewish Americans - PBS                                                                                                           
• Jews of the Wild West: Jewish Pioneers                                                                                         
• GI Jews: Jewish Americans in World War II - PBS                                                                             
• The U.S. and the Holocaust - Ken Burns                                                                                           
• When Jews Were Funny: A History of Jewish Comedy in America - Amazon Prime                  
• Schmatta: Rags To Riches To Rags - HBO                                                                                
• America ReFramed: There Are Jews Here - PBS

A few Book Titles:

• “American Judaism” by Jonathan D. Sarna (Amazon)                                          
• “American Jewish History: A Primary Source Reader” by Gary P. Zola (Amazon)              
• “The New American Judaism: How Jews Practice Their Religion Today” by Jack Wertheimer (Amazon)                                                                                          
• “Dixie Diaspora: an Anthology of Southern Jewish History” by Mark Bauman (Amazon)                                                                                                                       
• “Jews on the Frontier: Religion and Mobility in Nineteenth-Century America” by Shari Rabin (Amazon)                                                                                                 
• “We Called Him Rabbi Abraham: Lincoln and American Jewry” by Gary P. Zola  (Amazon)                                                                                                                
• “Religion and State in the American Jewish Experience” by Jonathan D. Sarna and David G. Dalin (Amazon)                                                                                         
• “The Arc of a Covenant: The United States, Israel, and the Fate of the Jewish People” by Walter Russell Mead (Amazon)

Ways to Celebrate ‘Jewish American Heritage Month’:

• 18 ways to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month                                                          
• A few ideas for celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month 2023 

Sources:

https://www.jewishheritagemonth.gov/ 

https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/how-to-celebrate-jewish-american-heritage-month 

https://www.holidaycalendar.io/holiday/jewish-american-heritage-month