May is Jewish American Heritage Month

What is Jewish American Heritage Month?
Jewish American Heritage Month is a national month of recognition of nearly four centuries of American Jewish experience. Recognized each year in the  month of May by Presidential proclamation, JAHM provides an opportunity for people to learn about and appreciate Jewish heritage and reflect on the specific history and experiences of the American Jewish community, serving as antidote to antisemitism.

Who is JAHM for?
Everyone! Everyone is welcome to participate in Jewish American Heritage Month on the journey of discovery and celebration that makes American society so special.

When was Jewish American Heritage Month established? 
JAHM was established in 2006 by President George W. Bush as a bipartisan effort sponsored in Congress by the late Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida. In 2018, the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History became the official convener of JAHM, responsible for staffing and organizing the month across the nation each year. Click here to learn more about JAHM’s history.

How is Jewish American Heritage Month Organized? 
JAHM is organized by the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, located on Historic Independence Mall in Philadelphia—the only national institution dedicated to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience. Each May, JAHM is supported by nearly 200 cultural, civic, educational, and government entities around the country who set out to celebrate the inspiring history of Jewish people in America from 1654 to the present; educate public audiences about Jewish culture; and spark crucial conversations about the American Jewish present and future.

Where can I learn more about Jewish American Heritage Month? 
JewishAmericanHeritage.org is the centralized portal for JAHM, providing access to American Jewish culture, stories, and experience—and home to resources from some of the 200 partner organizations around the country.

The Library of Congress also hosts jewishheritagemonth.gov to support the federal government’s commitment to paying tribute to the generations of Jewish Americans who helped form the fabric of American history, culture, and society.