Jewish American Heritage Month: Exploring Jewish Identity

Beginning in 2006 with a Congressional resolution and Presidential proclamation, Jewish American Heritage Month takes place each May and is a commemoration of Jewish contributions to American culture and the celebration of the diverse Jewish community in the U.S. 

For educators and students, Jewish American Heritage Month presents a time to celebrate and explore the Jewish experience in the United States. Jewish people are more than their darkest moments—they are more than the Holocaust and antisemitism and the Spanish Inquisition—and Jewish American Heritage Month is the opportunity to celebrate the joy, history, culture and achievements of the Jewish people. 

The resources below have been compiled from ADL as well as other leading educational providers to support educators, students and families with celebrating and learning about Jewish culture, contribution and diversity in American society to commemorate Jewish American Heritage Month in May and support learning throughout the year.

Building Foundation: Professional Learning for Educators

Resources to help educators prepare to teach about Jewish American Heritage Month or Jewish identity. 

• ADL: Educator Guide—Jewish American Heritage Lesson Plans. View common questions and answers that may come up for you while teaching lessons about Jewish American Heritage Month. 
• ADL: 9 Ideas for Teaching Jewish American Heritage Month. Instructional ideas to highlight the significant events, people, culture and stories of Jewish Americans. 
• ADL: Supporting Jewish Students Video—Explore strategies to help Jewish students feel safe, supported, and seen in your classroom—while engaging in meaningful discussions about Jewish history, culture, identity and the impact of antisemitism. 
• Advocates for Inclusive Middle Eastern Education (AIMEE): Advocates for Inclusive Middle Eastern Education Curriculum. Resources designed to bring indigenous Middle Eastern and North African voices into classrooms to reflect the region’s diversity. 
• JIMENA: A Sephardi & Mizrahi Education Toolkit. A collection of resources, recommendations and strategies for classroom educators to learn about Sephardi and Mizrahi heritage.
• Jews of Color Initiative Research Studies: Counting Inconsistencies and Beyond the Count provide groundbreaking insights and data into the experiences of Jews of Color and Jewish demographics, and shine a light on the wide array of experiences of American Jews.
• Keshet: LGBTQ+ Jewish Heroes. Explore information that celebrates LGBTQ+ Jews who have transformed the world through their words and lives. 
• Hey Alma: Why Jewish American Heritage Month Matters. In this article, the author explores the value of Jewish American Heritage Month, the lack of education surrounding Jewish history and rising rates of antisemitism. 
• Unpacked: 12 Jewish podcasts to listen to right now. Explore a range of podcasts that explore different aspects of Jewish identity and culture. 

Sparking Curiosity: Tools for Student Engagement

Resources designed for students to learn about Jewish American Heritage Month and Jewish identity. 

Widening the Circle: Family Engagement

Resources to be shared with parents, caregivers and community members to continue the conversation about Jewish American Heritage Month and Jewish identity outside of the classroom.

• ADL Table Talk: Why Do We Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month? Engage your family is a conversation about what Jewish American Heritage Month is, its origins and how to celebrate and commemorate the month. 
• The Jewish Grandparents Network: Coloring and Activity Pages. Coloring pages that celebrate different aspects of the Jewish religion and culture. 
• The Jewish Grandparents Network: Family Stories Discovery Kit. An interactive guide designed to bring grandparents and grandchildren together through the art of storytelling, using dramatic play, creativity, and imagination. 
• Common Sense Media: TV Shows that Illustrate and Celebrate the Jewish Experience. This resource compiles TV shows that explore authentic Jewish characters and experiences, along with stories about Jewish families, holidays, and traditions that are both fun to watch and teach viewers something new. 
• Jews of Color Initiative: Family Resources. A landing page that provides programs, resources, and community opportunities to support families and communities in building a Jewish life rooted in belonging.
• Share booklists that are being used in classrooms like: 
  • ADL: Picture and Chapter Books to Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month 
  • Association of Jewish Libraries: Sydney Taylor Book Awards  
  • JIMENA: Sephardi & Mizrahi Children’s Books 
  • Keshet: LGBTQ+ Book List for Children and Families  
  • PJ Library: Beyond the Books 

*Quotes included above are from student participants in ADL educational programs.