Each May, the United States observes Jewish American Heritage Month by encouraging people to celebrate and learn more about the contributions of Jewish Americans.
In a proclamation issued earlier this month, U.S. President. Joseph R. Biden wrote;
“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.”
Campus events commemorating the month include:
- The Michiana Jewish Film Festival, May 15-22, in the Browning Cinema, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, and virtually. The Michiana Jewish Film Festival offers superb, cutting-edge and award-winning films from around the world to the Michiana region for a multifaceted exploration of Jewish identity, community, culture and history. Click here to learn more about the festival.
- Spotlight Exhibit: “Hagadah shel Pesaḥ le-zekher ha-Shoʼah — Pessach Haggadah in Memory of the Holocaust”, Mondays through Fridays through Wednesday, May 31; 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Rare Books & Special Collections (Room 102), Hesburgh Library. This exhibit, in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah), presents three leaves from an illustrated edition of Pessach Hagaddah, a Jewish ritual text used during Passover family meal. The exhibit was commissioned in memory of 6 million Jewish people who perished in Europe during the Holocaust.
You can also refer to the resources below for more about the annual observance and Jewish heritage as well as information to raise awareness about antisemitism:
- Facts and figures, links to online exhibitions, and more about Jewish American Heritage Month from the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, a Smithsonian Affiliate
- A collection of titles by and about Jewish Americans that includes fiction, memoir, Jewish history, and key issues in current events from Penguin Random House
- Stand Up to Jewish Hate campaign information and guides