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 school districts to recognize JAHM and use it as an opportunity for education about and celebration of the vibrant history of Jewish Americans.
To support you in bringing JAHM to your schools, here are a list of possible activities and resources that superintendents, school boards, and campus leadership can utilize:
1) Training for Staff/Students
Consider bringing a customizable, interactive, and educational workshop focused on understanding Jewish identity and addressing antisemitism in K-12 education. JCRC’s Here I Am Training is designed for educators, staff, administrators, and boards of education in Bay Area K-12 schools as well as additional customized opportunities for students in 6th-12th grade.
2) Display
Whether in your district office, school entrance areas, or campus libraries a JAHM month display can bring education and cultural sharing to the entire community during the month of May. Drawing from the teacher resources will provide resources of art, authors, books, heroes, and other things to include in a JAHM display.
- Posters from JewishAmericanHertigage.org
- Creative projects from participating classrooms (see teacher resources).
3) Assembly/Campus Wide Presentation
Holding an assembly or other large campus event highlighting and engaging with elements of Jewish culture.
- Music
- Dancing (Including “The Horah”)
- Jewish Cultural Foods
- Invite local leaders from the Jewish Community to share a presentation.
4) Sending Out Community Resources
One way you can engage your community this JAHM is to share your plans for participating with them. This could be through a special email or through your standard monthly communications with parents. Be sure to include the activities your district/campus has planned as well as additional resources for learning to continue at home. Here is a form you can customize for your communication with families.
Subject: Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month at [School Name]
As part of our commitment to honoring the diverse histories and cultures that shape our community, [School Name] is proud to recognize Jewish American Heritage Month this May. This national celebration offers an opportunity to learn about the rich contributions of Jewish Americans to our nation’s history, culture, and society. At [School Name], we will be participating by _________. We invite all families to join us in celebrating and learning together; for more information explore these resources:
5) Send Out resources to Teachers Beforehand
One of the most impactful ways school administrators can help celebrate JAHM is to encourage and empower classroom teachers to participate. JCRC Bay Area has an extensive resource library for educators hoping to bring elements of Jewish American culture to their classrooms. Below is a letter you can use to introduce these resources to your team and promote participation in JAHM.
Subject: Tools to Bring JAHM to Your Classroom
Dear Teachers,
May is a month of rich cultural celebration, as we honor both Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM). These national observances provide meaningful opportunities to reflect the diversity of our school community and to foster inclusive, thoughtful learning experiences for all students.
In recognition of JAHM, we encourage you to consider incorporating content that highlights the history, culture, and contributions of Jewish Americans into your classroom this month. To support you, JCRC Bay Area has compiled a set of resources you can use or adapt for your lessons.
Whether through literature, historical inquiry, creative projects, or discussion, your engagement helps ensure that students see themselves—and others—reflected in what they learn. Thank you for all you do to create inclusive, affirming spaces for every student.
6) Ideas Working with Local Parent Groups
Finally, consider working with parent groups in your community to support the celebration of JAHM. Some Jewish families may want to participate in the planning of campus and classroom activities while others might be open to acting as a resource for ideas. Inviting parents to participate in what you have planned allows for input from your local Jewish community without burdening them with the expectation of putting this together on their own.
