May is Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) – a time to commemorate the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American society. We believe education about Jewish identity and the contributions of Jewish Americans is a critical antidote to the rampant antisemitism the Jewish community is experiencing today. We are calling on Bay Area cities and counties to recognize JAHM and use it as an opportunity for education about and celebration of the vibrant history of Jewish Americans.
Educational Resources and Lesson Plans
JCRC Resources
In celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month, we’ve developed a robust suite of resources for parents, educators, and school administrators—all designed to foster Jewish inclusion and understanding in school communities. These resources are practical, relevant, and tailored to each audience, making them easy to use and implement in real-world settings.
- Jewish American Heritage Month for Teachers
- Jewish American Heritage Month for Parents
- Jewish American Heritage Month for Administrators
Lesson Plans and Teacher Facing Resources
- Institute for Curriculum Services: Jewish Americans lesson plan
- Facing History and Ourselves: Navigating Jewish American Identity lesson plan and a Being Jewish in the United States reading
- Library of Congress: Jewish American Heritage Month
- National Archives: Jewish American Heritage Month
- PBS: Lesson plans for The Jewish Americans by David Rubin video series and The Journey of the Jewish Americans documentary clip
Other Online Resources
- Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History: JAHM Website and Virtual Museum
- The Anti-Defamation League: JAHM Resources
- Jewish Women’s Archive
Sample Resolutions
Sample Resolution
Sample JAHM Resolution for City Councils 2025
Thank you to the following Bay Area cities planning to recognize JAHM in 2025:
- Alameda
- Albany
- Berkeley
- Brentwood
- Colma
- Daly City
- El Cerrito
- Fremont
- Menlo Park
- Napa
- Piedmont
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- San Rafael
- Sunnyvale
- Walnut Creek
Reading Lists
- Books by Black Jewish Authors
- Jewish Asian-American Stories
- 50 Essential Books by Jewish-American Authors
- 7 Diverse Jewish Children’s and Young Adult Books
- Jewish YA Books: More than the Holocaust
- LA County Library: JAHM
- San Jose Public Library Young Adult JAHM Books
- Chicago Public Library: Jewish American Heritage Books for Adults
