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, counties, and school districts to recognize JAHM and use it as an opportunity for education about and celebration of the vibrant history of Jewish Americans.
Cities that have already passed or committed to a JAHM resolution in 2023:
- Alameda
- Albany
- Belmont
- Berkeley
- Cloverdale
- El Cerrito
- Foster City
- Hercules
- Livermore
- Menlo Park
- Napa
- Novato
- Oakland
- Palo Alto
- Pleasant Hill
- Richmond
- Rohnert Park
- San Francisco
- San Mateo
- San Pablo
- Santa Rosa
- South San Francisco
- Sunnyvale
- Tiburon
- Walnut Creek
School Districts that have recognized JAHM in 2023:
- Alameda USD
- Mt. Diablo USD
- Oakland USD
- Piedmont USD
- Pleasanton USD
- San Rafael City Schools
- West Contra Costa USD
Lesson Plans and Educational Resources
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 2023
Example Resolutions from Prior Years
CITY/STATE/FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
- The White House 2021 Proclamation
- CA Department of Parks and Recreation
- City of Alameda, CA 2021 Proclamation
- City of Orinda, CA 2021 Proclamation
- City of Ellensburg, WA 2022 Proclamation
- CA Department of Parks and Recreation
SCHOOL DISTRICTS
- Cabrillo Unified School District (CA)
- Conejo Valley Unified School District (CA)
- Broward County Public Schools (FL)
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
Bay Area Jewish Identity Survey
Our community is diverse and complex, and this groundbreaking study is a major review of the way Bay Area Jews view themselves and their community, as well as their relationship to Jewish history and religion.
Take Action
- Join our #HereIAm Initiative!
- Sign up for updates
