Overview
Did you know that May is a month designated for highlighting and celebrating Jewish American heritage and contributions to American culture? Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) is a time to explore the incredible journey of Jewish Americans, from their arrival on our shores to their lasting impact on everything from medicine to civil rights. Students will be surprised and inspired as they discover the vibrant threads of Jewish American culture woven into the fabric of our nation.
Essential Questions
- How does celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month contribute to a deeper understanding of American history and a more inclusive society?
- How can we use the knowledge gained from celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month to create a more inclusive and respectful learning environment for all students?
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Acknowledge the importance of celebrating heritage months
- Understand what makes Jewish Americans an ethnic group
- Recognize the significance of Jewish American Heritage Month
- Develop a new or deeper appreciation for Jewish Americans and their contributions to society
Materials:
- Pre-Instruction Student Self-Assessment (you will be instructed to make a copy)
- ICS Jewish American Diversity Fact Sheet
- Jewish Americans: Identity, History, and Experience Fact Sheet
- Highlighting Jewish American Contributions
- Video: Jewish Peoplehood: Collective Belonging by The Center for Jewish Peoplehood Education (Note: The video was produced for a Jewish student audience, so it uses pronouns like “us” and “we,” which may be confusing to your non-Jewish students. However, it is an excellent and brief explanation of what Jewish peoplehood means, which is an important concept for all students to understand.)
- Rubric: Jewish American Heritage Month Flyer
- Post-Instruction Student Self-Assessment (you will be instructed to make a copy)
