Dear Partners,
Every Thursday morning throughout Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM), we’ll be sending out an email focused on Jewish American contributions to a specific field. Each email will highlight seven notable Jewish Americans and feature seven action items and resources from partners. These emails are designed for you to be able to forward to your own constituents to help them celebrate JAHM. Please email Jacob@conferenceofpresidents.org if you have materials you would like included in future emails.
This week’s theme is “Jews in American culture”!
This Week’s Highlights
Jerry Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld is a comedian, actor, writer, and producer best known for creating the sitcom Seinfeld with fellow Jewish comedian Larry David. Starring Jerry in the title role, the show overcame concerns that it was “too Jewish” or “too New York” to become a massive hit that redefined what a sitcom can be. Seinfeld, who descends from Syrian and Hungarian Jews, has become outspoken in his support for Israel in the wake of October 7th, visiting in December 2023 and meeting with hostage families and freed hostages. To learn more about Jerry, please see the resources listed under his photo.
Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand is a singer, actress, director, and producer who is the only artist ever to have earned Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy, Golden Globe, Cable Ace, and Peabody Awards. She has achieved more gold (37), platinum (21), and multi-platinum (10) albums than any other artist. Streisand has often centered her Jewish identity in her work. She rose to stardom playing Jewish comedian Fanny Brice on Broadway, co-wrote, directed, and stared in the film adaptation of Polish-Jewish writer Isaac Bashevis Singer’s Yentl, and produced a series of six television dramas paying tribute to non-Jews who heroically saved Jews from the Holocaust. In 2023 she was honored with Israel’s 10th Annual Genesis Prize. To learn more about Barbra, please see the resources listed under her photo.
Alex Edelman
Alex Edelman is a rising star leading the next generation of Jewish comedians. After beginning his career in stand-up, radio comedy shows, and as a speechwriter for the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers, Edelman has found his biggest success crafting and performing solo long-form comedy shows. His third show, Just For Us, centers his experience as a Jew infiltrating a meeting of neo-Nazis in Queens. The show won a Special Tony Award, and its live capture won a Primetime Emmy Award for Writing for a Scripted Variety Special. Edelman has performed all over the world, including in Jerusalem, where he co-founded the Off the Wall Comedy Club. To learn more about Alex, please see the resources listed under his photo.
Vanessa Hidary
Vanessa Hidary is a Sephardic spoken word artist. Her 2011 poem about her Jewish identity, The Hebrew Mamita, became a viral hit that sparked discussion about Jewish identity and diversity in the Jewish community. In 2015, Hidary created The Kaleidoscope Project, which seeks to highlight the stories of Jews of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, observance levels, and interfaith experiences through narrative art. To learn more about Vanessa, please see the resources listed under her photo.
Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
High School friends from Cleveland, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created Superman—launching the superhero genre and transforming American pop culture. After years of rejection, they sold their character to DC Comics in 1938, with Superman debuting in Action Comics #1. The strip soon became a cultural phenomenon. To learn more about Jerry and Joe, please see the resources listed under their photo.
Molly Yeh
Molly Yeh is a Jewish and Chinese-American cookbook author, blogger, television personality, and restaurateur. Yeh rose to prominence with her food blog, which she began when she and her husband moved to his family’s rural farm on the Dakota/Minnesota border in 2013. Yeh has written three cookbooks and her Food Network show, Girl meets Farm, is now in its 15th season. Her recipes often feature and combine Jewish, Chinese, and Midwestern Cuisine. To learn more about Molly, please see the resources listed under her photo.
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein was one of the most prominent Jewish composers of the 20th Century. He served eleven years as the music director of the New York Philharmonic and was composer of ballets (Fancy Free, Dybbuk), operas (Trouble in Tahiti, A Quiet Place), symphonies (Jeremiah, The Age of Anxiety, Kaddish), and musicals (Wonderful Town, Candide, and West Side Story). Bernstein became closely affiliated with the Israel Philharmonic shortly after the establishment of the Jewish State and conducted seven official concerts in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa. To learn more about Leonard, please see the resources listed under his photo.
This Week’s Action Items
1) JAHM Book List
To celebrate this week’s JAHM theme, honoring Jews who have helped create and define American culture, we’re pleased to share a curated book list from one our JAHM partner organizations, The Artists Against Antisemitism. Though just a sampling, the list highlights Jewish contributions across disciplines such as comedy, film, music, and literature, showcasing the vibrant role Jewish artists have played in shaping American culture. You can view their JAHM book list HERE.
2) Jewish American Recipes and Cultural Fusion
What better way to celebrate Jewish American heritage than by savoring classic dishes from Jewish American figures? Each recipe is brought to you by a Jewish American personality, offering a taste of tradition and culture. Whether you are cooking for a crowd or simply craving a culinary journey through history, there’s a flavorful adventure waiting for you. Click HERE to explore these recipes and infuse your kitchen with a dash of Jewish American culture.
3) JAHM National Contest
In honor of JAHM, the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) is launching a national contest inviting Americans of all backgrounds to explore and celebrate the rich tapestry of Jewish life and contributions in the United States. This contest offers a unique opportunity to rediscover the pivotal role Jewish Americans have played in shaping the nation’s story, through acts of courage, innovation, leadership, and collaboration with other communities. CAM will award up to $50,000 in prizes, with winners to be recognized at the prestigious JAHM Congressional Reception in May 2025. Please click HERE for more information.
4) Explore Jewish History and Culture at a Jewish Museum Near You
Jewish museums across the country offer a rich and meaningful way to explore Jewish history, culture, and contributions to American life, making them an ideal destination during JAHM. Whether you’re interested in art, history, or personal stories of resilience and innovation, these institutions provide valuable insights into the Jewish American experience. One of this year’s JAHM partners, the Council of American Jewish Museums (CAJM), represents a network of museums, historical societies, and cultural organizations dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and sharing the Jewish experience in America. Through exhibitions, programs, and collections, CAJM’s member institutions celebrate the richness and diversity of Jewish life. You can explore their member museums HERE.
5) Jewish Americans in Film and TV
Jewish Americans have been involved in Hollywood and creating films since the early twentieth century. From directors like Steven Spielberg to actors such as Barbra Streisand and Adam Sandler, Jewish talent and cultural influence has left an undeniable mark on Hollywood. Please click HERE to check out our curated list of movies and TV shows.
6) Jewish Organizations and Engaging Online
Jewish organizations across the country are posting content celebrating JAHM. We encourage you to explore the work of our JAHM partner organizations and engage with their highlighting Jewish American cultural and social icons. Please click HERE to view our list of JAHM partner organizations.
7) Local Events
Across the country, hundreds of organizations are hosting in-person and virtual programs to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month. If you are interested in attending a JAHM event near you, please click HERE for more information.
Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
