Each year, during the month of May, the Copyright Alliance proudly celebrates Jewish American Heritage Month! This heritage month was first introduced by Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida and Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania in hopes that the President would recognize the contributions of Jewish culture to American culture. In 2006, President George W. Bush officially proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month.
On April 28, 2023, the White House issued a proclamation on Jewish American heritage month stating, “This month, we celebrate the enduring heritage of Jewish Americans, whose values, culture, and contributions have shaped our character as a Nation. For generations, the story of the Jewish people — one of resilience, faith, and hope in the face of adversity, prejudice and persecution — has been woven into the fabric of our Nation’s story. It has driven us forward in our ongoing march for justice, equality, and freedom as we recommit to upholding the principles of our Nation’s founding and realizing the promise of America for all Americans.”
Join us to celebrate the rich history and contributions of Jewish Americans this May by checking out our blogs, articles, educational resources, and artistic creations.
If you are a Jewish American creator who would like to be featured or partner with us in education and advocacy for copyright, please email us at info@copyrightalliance.org.
Blogs and Articles
- A Proclamation on Jewish American Heritage Month, 2023 (White House)
- Introduction to the Holocaust (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum)
- Beyond the Count: Perspectives and Lived Experiences of Jews of Color (Jews of Color Initiative)
- 10 Key Findings About Jewish Americans (Pew Research Center)
- Why is Passover Different from All Other Nights? 3 Essential Reads on the Jewish Holiday (The Conversation)
- Judaism, Jewish History, and Anti-Jewish Prejudice: An Overview (University of Washington)
- Resources to Address and Challenge Antisemitism (Anti-Defamation League)
Books
- Loss of Memory Is Only Temporary: Stories (Johanna Kaplan)
- All I Could Be (Anzia Yezierska)
- America’s Jewish Women: A History from Colonial Times to Today (Pamela Nadell)
- Kugel and Frijoles: Latino Jews in the United States (Laura Limonic)
- Once We Were Slaves: The Extraordinary Journey of a Multi-Racial Jewish Family (Laura Leibman)
- Contemporary Jewish Books in Honor of Jewish American Heritage Month (Maltz Museum)
- American Jewish Experiences (Jewish American Council)
Podcasts
- Jewish History Matters (Jason Lustig)
- The Forgotten Exodus (American Jewish Committee)
- Holocaust Histories
- Jews on Film (Daniel Zana and Harry Ottensoser)
- The History of the Land of Israel (Shaiel Ben-Ephraim)
Jewish Creators Featured in 2024
- P!nk: Award-winning singer/songwriter.
- Gene Simmons: Bassist and Co-Lead singer of the rock band Kiss.
- Barbra Streisand: Singer, actress, and director.
- Garry Winogrand: Street photographer that focuses on social justice.
- Joseph John Rosenthal: Photographer who received the Pulitzer Prize for his iconic World War II photographs.
- Lesley Gore: Award-winning singer/songwriter.
- Claude Cahun: Genderqueer and Surrealist art icon.
- Leslie Feinberg: Lesbian, author, and transgender activist.
