In 2006, President George W. Bush officially designated May as Jewish American Heritage Month to honor the rich history and contributions of the Jewish community. According to 2020 census data, over 5.8 million people in the U.S. identify as having Jewish heritage.
Why We Celebrate in May
The first known Jewish American refugees arrived in present-day New York, then known as New Amsterdam, after fleeing persecution in Brazil in September 1654. Though they were likely not the first Jewish people to settle in the New World, many today consider them founding pioneers of the Jewish American community.
A coalition of Jewish leaders and groups organized the 350th anniversary of the arrival of those refugees in May 2004. It’s believed this celebration inspired the selection of May as the official heritage month.
This Year’s Theme
The Jewish American Heritage Month organization, in partnership with the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, aims to amplify the “true, joyful, and powerful stories of Jewish life in America” during this year's celebration. This month is also an “opportunity for organizations and people of all backgrounds to learn and celebrate the integral role Jewish Americans have played in shaping our nation.”
How to Celebrate in Houston
- Visit the Holocaust Museum Houston.
- Check out Jewish Heritage Night at the Sugar Land Space Cowboy’s Constellation Field on May 26.
- Join a speed networking event put on by the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston and taking place on May 30.
- Learn new tools for mindfulness by joining Congregation Beth Yeshurun’s weekly Jewish Meditation Group happening every Wednesday.
