About This Collection
Jewish American Heritage Month takes place every year in May. The month is an annual recognition and celebration of the history, achievements, contributions and culture of Jewish people in the United States. In schools and classrooms, Jewish American Heritage Month provides an opportunity to learn about the Jewish community--including who Jewish people are, what they believe in, their culture, hopes and dreams, their history, diversity and complexity. It is also important to remember that May should not be the only time that schools engage in this learning but rather, Jewish history and heritage should be integrated into the curriculum throughout the year.
This collection includes various resources for engaging students in learning, reflection and connection, specifically: lesson plans, short videos to help teach the lessons, Sutori direct-to-student learning experiences that accompany all of the lesson plans, an educators Q+A guide and more.
How to Use This Collection in Your Classroom
Video: Supporting Jewish Students
Explore strategies to help Jewish students feel safe, supported, and seen in your classroom—while engaging in meaningful discussions about Jewish history, culture, identity, and the impact of antisemitism.
Video: Explaining the Lessons in this Collection
Understand more about the lesson plans in this collection and how teaching students about the Jewish experience is relevant and important--during Jewish American History Month and beyond.
Lesson Plans
What is Jewish American Heritage Month?
Teach your students about Jewish American Heritage Month and its purpose and explore ideas for commemorating the month in your school and community.
The Jewish Community in the U.S.
Engage students in learning more about the Jewish community and dispel misconceptions and assumptions.
Notable Jewish Americans
Teach your students more about important, notable, famous and accomplished Jewish Americans, challenge their assumptions and potential stereotypes about the Jewish community and dive deeper into a notable Jewish American person of their choosing.
From Passover to Purim: Jewish Holidays and Observances
Help your students to reflect on holidays and their importance to one’s identity, learn about a variety of Jewish holidays and study one holiday in depth and present what they learned to others.
Using Poetry to Reflect on the Jewish Experience
Explore how literature can help tell the stories of Jewish people, consider the “danger of a single story,” invite students to reflect on the Jewish experience by reading and analyzing poetry and reflect on their own identities by writing original poems about an aspect of their identity.
Jewish Immigration to the U.S.
Engage students in learning more about the history of Jewish immigration to the U.S. and reflect on a specific period of Jewish immigration.
Educator Guide
View common questions and answers that may come up for you while teaching the lessons that are part of Celebrating Jewish American Heritage: Lesson Plans for Learning, Reflection and Connection.
Table Talk: Why do We Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month?
Engage your family in a conversation about what Jewish American Heritage Month is, its origins and how to celebrate and commemorate the month.
Additional Resources
