Last Updated: May 2, 2024
In recognition of this year’s Jewish American Heritage Month, Team AgLearn is providing information and resources to encourage engagement with this important annual commemoration.
Background
On April 20, 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed that May would be Jewish American Heritage Month. The announcement was the crowning achievement in an effort by the Jewish Museum of Florida and South Florida Jewish community leaders that resulted in resolutions introduced by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida and Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania urging the president to proclaim a month that would recognize the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American culture. The resolutions passed unanimously, first in the House of Representatives in December 2005 and later in the Senate in February 2006.
The month of May was chosen due to the highly successful celebration of the 350th Anniversary of American Jewish History in May 2004, which was organized by the Commission for Commemorating 350 Years of American Jewish History. This coalition was composed of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives External Link, the American Jewish Historical Society External Link, the Library of Congress External Link and the National Archives and Records Administration External Link.
Leading the way in implementation of the annual celebration is the Jewish American Heritage Month Coalition, formed in March 2007 and convened by United Jewish Communities, the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives, and the American Jewish Historical Society.
- Events and Information about Jewish American Heritage Month 2024 External Link
- Jewish American Heritage Month Resources from the National Archives External Link
The information below is a portion of content quoted from President Biden's Proclamation on Jewish American Heritage Month, 2024 External Link
"For centuries, the perseverance, hope, and unshakeable faith of the Jewish people have inspired people around the world. During Jewish American Heritage Month, we celebrate the immeasurable impact of Jewish values, contributions, and culture on our Nation’s character and recommit to realizing the promise of America for all Jewish Americans."
USDA Events
USDA’s 2024 Jewish American Heritage Month theme, “Contributions of the Jewish Community to Food Security and Agriculture,” recognizes the immense contributions of Jewish Americans to our community.
Jewish American Heritage Month 2024 USDA Calendar of Events External Link
Out of the Darkness: A Community Remembers the Holocaust
Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2024
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET
Description: In-person event. We invite DC-based colleagues to join the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships for a Holocaust Remembrance Day event in front of the U.S. Capitol where they will honor the memory of Holocaust survivor Hans George Hirsch who served USDA for 30 years.
Hate Ends Now Shadowlight Exhibit
Date: Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET
Description: In-person event. An interactive, immersive, multimedia, 360 degree exhibit within a replica WWII cattle car in USDA parking lot 8.
Learn more: Hate Ends Now Shadowlight Exhibit External Link
Stories of Courage
Date: Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM ET
Description: A livestream event hosted by the State Department. This year’s program will feature two Holocaust survivors: Ruth Cohen and Allan Hall. The program will be moderated by Ellen Germain, Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues at the U.S. Department of State. The program will also feature remarks from other federal officials, including Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism.
Livestream: Stories of Courage External Link
Jewish American Heritage Month
Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Time: 3:00 PM ET
Description: In recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in collaboration with the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, will host an event on the Whitten Patio and virtually via Zoom. Please join as we welcome special guests, speakers, and performers, to observe Jewish American Heritage Month.
AgLearn Resources
- Course: Cultivating Cultural Competence and Inclusion External Link
- Course: Unconscious Bias External Link
- Course: Leading Inclusive Teams External Link
- eBook: The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict External Link
- eBook: Collective Remembering and the Making of Political Culture External Link
- Learning Channel: Embracing Equity External Link
Teams Background Graphic
Please feel free to download and use the following USDA Jewish American Heritage Month background graphic in the zip file below.
(Meeting Background Dimensions: 2560 x 1440 pixels)