Lifting the vibrant Jewish American experience

In April 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month, recognizing the history of Jewish contributions to American culture. May was chosen because of the May 2004 celebration of the 350th anniversary of the American Jewish community (dating from a settlement of Jewish refugees from Brazil in New Amsterdam in 1654).

“The Jewish American experience and our nation as a whole have always been held together by the forces of hope and resilience,” former President Barack Obama said in 2016. “During Jewish American Heritage Month…let us carry forward our mutual legacy, grounded in our interconnected roots, and affirm that it is from the extraordinary richness of our bond that we draw strength.”

The month exists to empower communities across the country to celebrate the inspiring history of Jewish people in America; educate diverse public audiences about Jewish culture; and spark crucial conversations about the American Jewish present and future.

Educators can access relevant primary sources and document-based activities spanning the course of American history, created by the National Archives and teachers around the world, at jewishheritagemonth.gov/for-teachers.

Celebrating Asian Pacific American heritage

May was permanently designated as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in 1992 to mark the arrival of the first known Japanese immigrant to the U.S. on May 7, 1843, and to honor completion of the transcontinental railroad — built by as many as 20,000 Chinese workers — on May 10, 1869. Today, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are a diverse population of 23 million Americans, including roughly
50 ethnic groups with roots in more than 40 countries. Educators can use the month to celebrate AAPI histories and cultures, build empathy and understanding, and fight xenophobia and discrimination.

“During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, California pays tribute to the irreplaceable legacy of our AAPI communities, and their many contributions to strengthen our state today and into the future,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in last year’s proclamation of the observance. “Since our state’s founding, AAPIs have been instrumental in writing the California story and building our state as we know it.”

The Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) announced that the 2023 theme for the observance is “Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity.” Primary sources from the Library of Congress, the National Archives, the Smithsonian and other resources are available at asianpacificheritage.gov/for-teachers.