May is Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM), a celebration Jewish folks within the United States. Originally an effort by the Jewish Museum of Florida and South Florida Jewish community leaders, JAHM was established in 2006 by President George W. Bush and continues to be recognized by Presidential Proclamation.
To recognize and celebrate this month, CEHHS curated a list of resources centering Jewish voices and stories. These resources are available through the UT Library and online.
2024 Updated Resources: Arts and Culture
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Jewish arts and culture, a rich tapestry that has significantly shaped American society. Explore the profound influence of Jewish artists, whose creative expressions span across various mediums – from the visual arts to music, literature, and theater. From the vibrant Yiddish theaters of New York to the influential Jewish voices in Hollywood, Jewish Americans have shaped the cultural landscape of the nation. In the 2024 curated resource guide update, CEHHS A&E pays tribute to the artists, writers, and musicians who have contributed their unique perspectives and talents, enriching America’s artistic heritage.
Art Restart: Adam W. McKinney | Audio Interview – Kenan Institute for the Arts
Judy Chicago, The Dinner Party | Article – Jennie Klein
National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene | Multimedia
Queer Klezmer with Isle of Klezbos | Podcast Episode – Jewish Women’s Archive
A Small Sacrifice for an Enormous Happiness | Physical Book – Jai Chakrabarti
2023 Highlighted Resources
- The Bintel Brief: Letters from Jewish Life on New York’s Lower East Side | Video
- The Jewish Americans: A Series | Multimedia
- Margot by Jillian Cantor | Physical Book
- Taking Root: Narratives of Jewish Women in Latin America | E-Book
2022 Highlighted Resources
- 2022 Presidential Proclamation | Webpage
- American Judaism | E-Book
- LUNAR: The Jewish-Asian Film Project | Video Project
- The CANVAS Compendium | Multimedia
- Tool Kit for Confronting Antisemitism | Multimedia
National Museum of American Jewish History
The National Museum of American Jewish History (NMAJH) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania leads this celebration with a month-long series of events. The museum presents educational programs and experiences centering the Jewish experience in the United States.
Jewish American Heritage Month Website
This website combines resources from the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Services, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to celebrate Jewish Americans. The site highlights exhibits and collections, audio and video recordings, images, and a “For Teachers” section.
Curated Resource List
To recognize and celebrate this month, CEHHS created a curated list of resources centering the voices, history, and experiences of the Jewish American community. These resources are available through the UT Library and various websites.
- My Name Is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok
- Portnoy’s Complaint by Philip Roth
- The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
- The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman
- The Plot Against America by Philip Roth
- The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
- American Judaism
- Antisemitism on the Campus: Past & Present
- From Haven to Home: 350 Years of Jewish Life in America
- GI Jews: How World War II Changed a Generation | Physical Book & E-Book
- The Color of Jews: Racial Politics and Radical Diasporism | Physical Book & E-Book
- The Provincials: A Personal history of Jews in the South
Originally curated May 2021 by Miranda N. Rutan, Doctoral Student, CEHHS A&E, UT Knoxville | Updated May 2024 by Miranda N. Rutan, Doctoral Candidate, CEHHS A&E, UT Knoxville