How To Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month in Class

Jewish American Heritage Month became a federally recognized holiday in 2006. During the month of May, individuals and organizations recognize the contributions, culture, and heritage that Jewish Americans bring to our collective society. You can discover how to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month in the classroom with these social studies, ELA, and science lessons:

• Teach about Jewish American culture and traditions in social studies
• Discover Jewish American stories in ELA
• Explore Jewish representation in science

[Teach about Jewish American culture and traditions in social studies](id-ss)

Students can learn more about the contributions Jewish Americans have made to our shared country, their immigration journeys, and the traditions and religion they brought with them with these social studies activities:

Explore Jewish American culture and traditions

Help students recognize the rich culture, history, and contributions of the Jewish American community with resources like:

• The full text of the U.S. government’s Proclamation on Jewish American Heritage Month.
• An explainer article that details the differences between three major branches of Judaism: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform.
• An explainer article that details the bar mitzvah coming-of-age ritual.

Introduce students to Jewish American trailblazers

Many Jewish American entrepreneurs, politicians, athletes, and other leaders have paved the way for positive change in their fields. Students can read about these trailblazers, like:

• Stan Lee, the founder of Marvel Comics.
• Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
• Former U.S. gymnast Aly Raisman.

See how Jewish Americans make connections in their communities

Being a part of a community can be supportive, encouraging, and inspiring. Help students see how Jewish Americans have formed communities in their cities and towns with resources like:

• A history article that explains the causes of the great wave of Jewish immigration to the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries.
• An article that explains how delis became popular staples in Jewish American communities.
• An article that explains how Emma Lazarus’ “The New Colossus” poem found its way onto the Statue of Liberty—and what the poem means to immigrants today.

Build background knowledge of Judaism

Help students learn more about Judaism, the religion many Jewish Americans practice, with resources like:

• An analysis of the biblical story of Creation from Genesis, which is considered the origin story for both Judaism and Christianity.
• An explainer article on monotheistic religions, or the religions that believe in one God.
• An article that looks at the significance of the Holy Land, and what it means to Jews, Christians, and Muslims.

Teach students about the causes and effects of the Holocaust

Beginning in 1933, the Holocaust is one of the most prominent cases of genocide in European and world history. Students can learn more about this horrific but historically significant event by reading articles on topics like:

• What Jewish life was like in Poland before the Holocaust.
• Why there was the only one refugee camp in America for Jews fleeing the Nazis.
• How historians view America’s response to the Holocaust, and what factors influenced the government’s actions.

Learn more about the rise of antisemitism

Antisemitism is a prejudice against or hatred for Jews. It can occur in many different forms, from violent attacks to verbal or online insults. Students can learn more about the history of antisemitism, why it’s on the rise around the world, and what they can do to prevent it with the following lesson:

• First, have students read an article about the history of antisemitism.
• Next, share the video about how Kanye West and other prominent figures have field antisemitic behavior in the United States.
• Finally, have students complete a respond and reflect worksheet about how antisemitic language perpetuates exclusion and impacts Jewish people. Take this activity further by asking students to complete their reflection using Newsela Writing.

[Discover Jewish American stories in ELA](id-ela)

Students can build background knowledge of Jewish American culture, holidays, and stories with the following activities and lessons: 

Explore the lives and works of Jewish American authors

Help students get to know the Jewish American authors behind famous works and some of their favorite books:

• Watch an interview with author Judy Blume discussing her National Book Foundation honor for “distinguished contribution to American letters.”
• Have students read Emma Lazarus’ poem “The New Colossus,” which is engraved on the base of the Statue of Liberty.
• Read about the J.D. Salinger exhibit at the New York Public Library that gave fans of the author’s work a glimpse into his reclusive life out of the public eye.

Share books by these and other Jewish American authors with your students this May! Check out our blog about Jewish American Heritage Month books and novels for independent reading suggestions.

Discover the role of storytelling in Purim celebrations

Help students explore the role scriptures and other texts play in the Jewish celebration of Purim with the following lesson:

• First, have students read an explainer article about why storytelling is an important part of the Purim celebration.
• While reading, have students annotate the article to look for evidence about why storytelling is key component of the holiday.
• Finally, have students complete a summary on Newsela Writing where they answer the question: “How is storytelling part of the Purim celebration?” and cite annotated evidence from the text.

Teach students about Rosh Hashanah

Practicing Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish New Year, for two days each September. Teach students about one of the most important celebrations on the Jewish calendar with resources like:

• A video explaining the significance of Rosh Hashanah.
• An article that details the history of Rosh Hashanah and its rituals.
• A news article that shows how the Jewish community celebrates holidays like Rosh Hashana even in the middle of disastrous circumstances.

Discover the significance of Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, known as the Day of Atonement, asks Jewish people to repent and make up for the wrong things they have done. Teach students more about this fall holiday with the following lesson:

• First, show students a video illustrating what Yom Kippur rituals and traditions look like.
• Next, have them read an explainer article about the history and significance of Yom Kippur.
• Finally, create a summary activity using Newsela Writing and have students answer the question, “What are some of the traditions and customs associated with Yom Kippur?”

Explore the history of Passover

Celebrated in the spring, Passover celebrates the end of Jewish enslavement in ancient Egypt. Like Purim, storytelling plays an important role in Passover celebrations. Teach students about this holiday with the following lesson:

• First, have students read an explainer article that details the history of Passover.
• Next, have them read about The Freedom Seder, a 1969 civil rights and Jewish liberation event inspired by Passover traditions.
• Finally, have students answer the compelling question: “How can a story affect a social movement?” independently or in small groups.

Learn more about Hanukkah traditions

Hanukkah, known as the Jewish festival of light, is a winter holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem and the events surrounding it. Students can learn more about Hanukkah history and traditions with this paired text lesson:

• First, have students read the fictional story “Hanukkah Helper” by Andra Abramson about a young girl who learns the significance of the candles in the menorah.
• Next, have students read the nonfiction article about what the menorah is, and why the candle holder has nine branches.
• Finally, have students complete a paired text analysis worksheet and answer the question, “How do the genre and style of each text impact the author’s message?”

[Explore Jewish representation in science](id-sci)

Introduce students to influential Jewish scientific figures and the discoveries and contributions they’ve made to help advance society with resources like:

• A biography of inventor and scientist Albert Einstein.
• An article about the U.K.’s decision to name a 2020 Mars rover after Rosalind Franklin, a pioneering DNA researcher.
• An article about scientist Lise Meitner, who helped discover nuclear fission.

Newsela’s products go beyond Jewish American Heritage Month

We hope these resources make it easier for you to develop relevant, engaging lessons about Jewish American history, influence, and achievements in your class. But Newsela’s products have even more great content, interactive activities, and assessment tools that you can use all year long.

If you’re not a Newsela customer yet, sign up for Newsela Lite for free and start your 45-day trial of our premium content to access everything you need to teach about nearly any historical, current event, or student interest topic in your classroom.