To celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month in May 2021, the Library is showcasing a research guide for Jewish American studies, curated by our Jewish Studies librarian Prof. Izabella Taler, which features streaming videos and other e-resources!
Some History & Background
As noted on the Library of Congress’ commemoration site, Jewish American Heritage Month began with President Carter’s proclamation in April 1980 in “which he spoke about the bountiful contributions made by the Jews to the culture and history of the United States.” The month has been honored ever since as the Jewish American community has continued to change and expand.
According to the American Jewish Yearbook, by 2019 the US Jewish population was almost 7 million, with Jews of Color representing at least 6% of American Jews. The states with the largest Jewish population include New York (25%), California (17%), Florida (9%), and New Jersey (8%). More information can be found at this terrific site on Jewish American Heritage Month created by the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and other federal agencies.
Resource Highlights!
Our guide for Jewish American Heritage Month highlights various digital resources on Jewish American studies available for research and entertainment!
- Read articles in Jewish American newspapers like the Baltimore Jewish Star and the New York Jewish Week in our Ethnic Newswatch database
- Consult our collection of digital books on a variety of topics in Jewish Studies by searching in OneSearch
- And finally, watch and enjoy streaming videos, such as:
The Chosen – acclaimed film about two Jewish boys in Brooklyn
The Longing: The Forgotten Jews of South America– award-winning documentary
RBG – revealing documentary about Ruth Bader Ginsburg