Jewish American Heritage Month And Its Importance
Judaism is an ethno-religion, meaning a Jewish identity may be an ethnicity, a religion, or both. People born into Jewish families in the US may identify as Jewish-American. These individuals may celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month, a month dedicated to the Jewish ethnicity and Americans who fall into this group.
What is Jewish American Heritage Month?
Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) began in 2006 after a motion from the Jewish Museum of Florida and the South Florida Jewish community. President George W. Bush, Senator Arlen Specter, and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz drove the movement into action after persistent urging from the community, declaring from the White House in April of 2006 that Jewish American Heritage Month would take place in May.
Since its inception, Congress instituted a resolution that asked future presidents to issue a proclamation suggesting that the people and governments of the US observe and celebrate the holiday with ceremonies and activities related to American Jewish heritage to recognize, honor, and celebrate them.
As a country, the United States has celebrated JAHM since 2006. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the holiday was observed through online events. In 2021, President Joe Biden released a proclamation on the essential aspects of this event and why it matters.
May was chosen as the celebration month after a successful and inspiring celebration in 2004. The Commission for Commemorating 350 Years of American Jewish History organized a celebration that year to honor the long history of Jewish culture in the US. In the present, May is often seen as a time to celebrate, educate, learn about, and honor Jewish individuals, cultures, and communities.
Why is celebrating JAHM important?
JAHM is a meaningful event for many in the Jewish ethnic community living in the US. Honoring the contributions of Jewish people to the nation allows all Americans to celebrate the diversity and importance of unique cultures within the US and worldwide.
JAHM gives individuals time to honor the contributions made by Jewish American communities to the culture of the United States. The Jewish religion was practiced in the United States as early as the 1650s, upon the arrival of Sephardic Jewish people in New Amsterdam. Valuing Jewish Americans' cultural impact on American culture offers a reminder that Jewish heritage can be essential to celebrate year-long.
How to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month
Celebrating JAHM goes beyond informing yourself about the holiday. There are many ways to celebrate, including but not limited to the following.
Attend an event
Multiple organizations, including the Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records Administration, the National Park Service, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum created the official website for Jewish American Heritage Month. You can find links to event calendars from the Library of Congress, the National Endowment of the Humanities, and the National Gallery of Art. The official JAHM website allows you to browse by month to find online and in-person events educating audiences on Judaism and Jewish American history, culture, and modern experiences. You can also research events at local universities near you, many of which may be conducting related events or exhibits you can visit in May or year-round.
The site also offers links to other websites to learn more about American Jewish culture and the history of JAHM. Attending an event during May allows you to spend dedicated time learning, educating, and honoring Jewish people and their history.
Read, watch, or listen to content from creators
Rather than listening to your favorite podcast or watching a movie you've seen before, choose your media thoughtfully in May in honor of JAHM. Search for a new TV show created by or starring Jewish American individuals or read a book by a Jewish or Jewish American author.
Consider not only looking at educational media. Fictional TV or films, novels, and story-telling podcasts may also be valuable if you choose them intentionally. Visit your local library to find engaging books on Jewish heritage. You might find a new favorite author or director, which you can discuss with others in your community. A few popular television shows about Jewish Americans include the following:
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
- The Kominsky Method
- Transparent
- The Baker and the Beauty
- Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
- Grace and Frankie
Study the contributions of Jewish Americans throughout history
One of the significant focuses of JAHM is the contributions of Jewish American individuals to American society. Jewish Americans have played a significant role throughout the history of the US and the world, offering an opportunity to educate yourself on various figures throughout history.
Children, teens, and adults may learn about a few people of American Jewish heritage in school, but some may be lesser known, like Elin Waite. Some famous people who contributed to Jewish American history included Albert Einstein and JD Salinger. This May, study the contributions of Jewish Americans in the worlds of art, science, politics, academia, advocacy, or other areas and learn how their work has shaped American culture and the global community.
2021 was a significant moment in Jewish American history with the election of the first Jewish Majority Leader of the United States Senate, Chuck Schumer. This position is the highest-held position by a Jewish American in the country's history. Additionally, Vice President Kamala Harris's husband, Douglas Emhoff, is Jewish American, making him the first-ever "Second Gentleman" and spouse of a Jewish Vice President.
Taking a moment in May to reflect on the importance of this title and the historical significance of having a Jewish American in the center of a high-level office may be a reminder of how far the US has come in acknowledging the contributions of Jewish Americans, as well as how much more representation may be needed. Visit the Library of Congress archives to learn more about the history and contributions of Jewish Americans.
Plan for next year's JAHM
While you have an entire month to explore and celebrate how Jewish Americans shaped society, another valuable way to spend your time is by planning an event or focusing on next year's celebratory and honorary month. Suppose your community has no scheduled events or activities for Jewish American Heritage Month this year. You could be the person who organizes them for next year or start something new.
If you are Jewish-American, consider organizing an in-person visit to a local museum exhibit on American Jewish culture or an online group meeting to take a virtual visit to one of the planned events from the Library of Congress or the National Endowment of the Humanities. One culturally impactful place you can visit in honor of this month is the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. However, note that the museum may bring up some painful emotions due to its topic.
If you're not looking for a big event, consider planning a gathering with a few friends to visit a museum or add a Jewish-American author to your book club list. Make your year count by focusing on celebrating Jewish American culture year-round and remembering to plan for next year to make it even more impactful.
Consider your mental health
Mental health advocacy and support are essential for all communities, including Jewish Americans. Mental health conditions can affect anyone, so it can be vital to consider how to support your mental health as a Jewish American.
Studies have found that people of the Jewish faith are more likely than other religions to seek mental health treatment with general practitioners and specialists in the mental health field. The statistic does not vary based on race, age, sex, or socioeconomic status, showing that Jewish Americans of all backgrounds are often empowered to find treatment. If mental health treatment seems intimidating, you are not alone in or outside your community.
There are numerous forms of available treatments for mental health conditions. Various therapeutic approaches exist, including forms of talk therapy, mindfulness-based techniques, and trauma-informed modalities. One option to consider is online therapy with a licensed professional counselor. Online therapists like those at BetterHelp are trained in different therapy modalities, including those listed above.
If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.
In addition, online therapy allows clients to work with a counselor from home without the inconvenience of finding an in-person therapist who fits their schedule. If you're struggling with a mental health condition or want to work toward personal goals, a counselor can help. Studies have found that online therapy is often associated with better results than in-person therapy regarding cost-effectiveness and specific treatments, like CBT, targeted at reducing depression symptoms.
Takeaway
Why is Jewish Heritage Month celebrated in May?
Jewish Heritage Month is celebrated in the month of May because in May 2004, the Commission for Commemorating 350 Years of American Jewish History organized a highly successful celebration of Jewish contributions to the country. In response, local officials urged President George W. Bush to officially designate the month Jewish Heritage Month, sparking a series of resolutions introduced to Congress in 2005 and 2006. The resolutions passed unanimously, designating May 2006 as the first Jewish Heritage Month.
How is Jewish American Heritage Month celebrated?
Jewish American Heritage Month is often celebrated with educational events and other appropriate programs organized by community leaders, leaders of the civil rights movement, or local Jewish groups. In addition to organizing or attending events, JAHM can also be celebrated by learning about Jewish history or supporting Jewish creators.
What is the Jewish Heritage Month Act?
The Jewish Heritage Month Act is a Canadian bill introduced to designate May as Canadian Jewish Heritage Month. It was passed in 2018 and is now celebrated annually across the country. Similar to the American month, the Canadian month recognizes the contributions of Jewish Canadians, celebrates religious freedom, and works to combat anti-Semitic hate crimes.
What is Jewish American Heritage Month for kids?
Children can celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month in many of the same ways adults can. Parents may use the month of May to teach their children about Jewish history, culture, and their own heritage, if applicable.
What does the month of May represent in Hebrew?
The Gregorian month of May typically falls in the month of Iyyar on the Hebrew calendar, which often falls from April to May. Iyyar is the second month on the Hebrew calendar, which includes two minor holidays, Pesach Sheni and second Pesach. Additionally, May of 1654 marked the arrival of the first Jewish immigrants to America.
What is the Heritage month in May 2023?
Jewish American Heritage Month 2023 is in May. In April 2023, President Joe Biden declared May 2023 as Jewish American Heritage Month, noting that we cannot give hate a safe harbor in the US, outlining a strategy to combat antisemitism, then closing the statement with the official proclamation: “IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of April, in the year two thousand twenty‑three.”
How many Jews are there in the world 2023?
As of 2023, there are an estimated 16.1 million Jewish people in the world. Although this number may seem large, it makes up just around 0.2% of the population.
What month was Jesus born according to the Hebrew calendar?
Although Christians have designated December 25th as the date of Jesus’s birth, there is no clear evidence as to this exact date or year. Scholars continue to speculate and debate this topic today.
What does Sivan mean in Hebrew?
Sivan is a month on the Hebrew calendar, typically falling over May and June on the Gregorian calendar.
What does Ziv mean in Hebrew?
Ziv means “glow” or “blossom” in Hebrew and is sometimes used to refer to the month of Iyyar on the Hebrew calendar, which typically falls over April and May.
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