On April 20, 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed that May would be Jewish American Heritage Month. From science and art to social justice and community leadership, Jewish Americans have made a big impact on the United States. This month is about learning more, honoring their contributions, and appreciating the important role they play in our country’s story.
Community Events
- Stroum Jewish Community Center (SJCC) – May Events – Located on Mercer Island, the SJCC offers a variety of events throughout May in celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month. Activities include Tot Shabbat gatherings, a Monthly Challah Bake, and a Four-Session Glass Mosaic Workshop, all designed to honor Jewish traditions and foster community. No registration required for Tot Shabbat; registration required for workshops.
- Western Washington University – Jewish American Heritage Month – Each May, WWU celebrates Jewish American Heritage Month with a series of events and programs highlighting the contributions of Jewish Americans to civic and cultural life. Past activities have included library exhibits, cultural discussions, and special dining events. The 2025 schedule is forthcoming; for updates, visit the Multicultural Student Services JAHM page.
National Events
- The Jewish South: Religion, Race, and Identity Through the Centuries – Join this free virtual discussion on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM PDT to explore the rich history of Jewish life in the American South. Historian Shari Rabin and ISJL’s Shira Muroff will discuss Rabin’s new book, Jews of the South, examining how Jewish communities navigated identity, race, and religion from the colonial era through the civil rights movement. Registration required.
- Through the Lens of Trude Fleischmann (1895–1990) – Join this free virtual presentation on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM PDT, hosted by the Fritz Ascher Society. Carey Mack Weber, Executive Director of the Fairfield University Art Museum, will explore the life and work of Austrian-Jewish photographer Trude Fleischmann, renowned for her portraits of artists and intellectuals in 1920s Vienna. The session will be followed by a conversation with Barbara Rosenberg Loss. Registration required.
- Congressman Brad Sherman on Israel, Antisemitism, and the Jewish Community – Join this free virtual conversation on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 12:00 PM PDT, hosted by American Jewish University. Congressman Brad Sherman will discuss U.S.-Israel relations, rising antisemitism, and the future of Jewish communities in the United States. Registration required.
Further Reading
Learn More
- How to Celebrate JAHM in May | Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington - Find suggestions and recommended activities to celebrate and honor Jewish American Heritage.
- Jewish American Heritage Month - Official website hosted by The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
- Jewish American Heritage Month | National Archives - Explore videos, primary documents, biographies and more about Jewish American history and culture.
- Jewish American Heritage Month | Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History - View interactive media, reading lists and a toolkit for educators.
- Jewish Americans | Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America - Read this detailed encyclopedia entry about the history, culture, language and contributions of Jews in America.
- Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History - Explore virtual tours and online exhibitions, examine artifacts and stories, attend fun and inspiring events, access family activities, and take a deep dive into nearly four centuries of American Jewish history.
