Jewish American Heritage Month
May is Jewish American Heritage Month! This month we celebrate the historical, social, and cultural contributions of Jewish Americans, and reflect on the importance of combatting antisemitism.
In the United States, we are seeing crackdowns on student activism and free speech under the justification of combatting antisemitism. In this politically charged moment of Jewish American history, it is particularly important to educate ourselves on the realities of antisemitism, the difference between antisemitism and anti-Zionism, and the long history of Jewish freedom struggles.
To learn more about the history of antisemitism, and the difference between anti-Zionism and antisemitism, check out On Anti-Semitism, a book from Jewish Voice For Peace, available in Cannell Library.
Curious to learn more about Jewish history? The library has tons of resources to explore!
Brush up on the basics with Jewish History: A Very Short Introduction
Explore the American Jewish Archive’s digital collection, with materials dating back to the mid 20th century.
If you happen to be in the library, walk on over to the Reference section on the first floor to flip through the Encyclopedia of Jewish-American History and Culture.
We also have resources on local Jewish American history, including Family of Strangers: Building Jewish Communities in Washington State, and Stories from Jewish Portland.
Food is a wonderful way to celebrate your culture or learn about cultures different than your own.
The Book of Jewish Food traces centuries of Jewish history through over 800 recipes. Evelyn Rose’s 100 Best Jewish Recipes includes both traditional and contemporary Kosher cuisine recipes. If you’re cooking with kids, try the illustrated Jewish Fairy Tale Feasts.
