Featured JAHM Resources for Educators
Welcome, Educators! You have free access to these classroom-ready resources to help you bring JAHM into your classroom this May.
The resources featured on this page from The Weitzman, Institute for Curriculum Services, and ConnectED were made by possibe by UJA-Federation of New York’s JAHM education grant program.
Return to all Educator Resources for additional classroom-ready and professional learning resources from more trusted organizations, filterable by subject, theme, and grade level
Learn how six trailblazing Jewish American figures, from legal pioneers to cultural icons, have left their imprint on the nation’s cultural, political, and social fabric.
Designed for grades 6–12, this video and accompanying educator’s guide highlight the stories of six influential Jewish American figures—past and present: Louis Brandeis, Estée Lauder, Barbara Walters, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sandy Koufax, and Daveed Diggs.
https://connecteducation.org/library/#category-jh
(you’ll need to create a free account to access the video and educator’s guide)
For grades 6-12
About
Stories That Shaped a Nation: Jewish Lives in America is the new signature educational offering from the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History. Five new lesson plans are available just in time for JAHM, with more following this summer.
Click here to view an overview of the lesson descriptions. Each snapshot includes the following overview for each lesson:
- Essential Questions
- Learning Objectives
- Enduring Understandings
- Lesson Activities
When ready, click the links below to download the lesson plan(s) of your choice. Each lesson plan includs links to companion materials such as handouts, a slide deck, and videos.
- Jewish Peoplehood – This lesson focuses on helping students understand the concept of Jewish peoplehood, focusing on the notion of “mishpacha” or family connected by central texts, an ancestral homeland, and history. Students will receive an introduction to the Jewish people while also reflecting upon the communities that provide them with a sense of membership and belonging.
- Diaspora – This lesson introduces students to the concept of diaspora and the implications that the diaspora has had on Jewish experiences around the world. It will emphasize the realities of expulsion and yearning for a return to an ancestral homeland in Israel while also showcasing resilience and cultural adaptation around the world.
- Jewish Diversity – This lesson introduces students to the diversity found among Jewish people. In doing so, students will explore the various shapes of cultural and other forms of variation found among Jews, brought on by geographic dispersion and the evolutions that result from responding to varied cultural influences.
- Civil Discourse & Honoring Dissent (in collaboration with High School Law Review) – In this lesson students will examine the Jewish value of civil discourse, in particular the long-established Talmudic tradition of recording dissenting opinions, evaluating possibilities and problems of free speech in contemporary American life.
- Skokie and Hate Speech (Grades 9-12, in collaboration with High School Law Review) – In this lesson, students will examine the tensions in establishing free speech as a democratic principle, particularly when this right may create space for hate speech. By studying the 1977 Supreme Court case, National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie, students will explore and discuss ways to constructively address hate speech while maintaining the value of free speech.
For grades 6-8
This May, and beyond, ICS is igniting the classroom with JAHM—Jewish American Heritage Month—like never before! We’re serving up seven bite-sized, free mini-lessons that transform teaching about Jewish American identity, history, and experiences into a celebration of learning. Get ready to JAHM with us!
You can find our mini-lessons, designed for Grades 6-8, on our website, as well as information on how to earn a $100 stipend for sharing your lesson feedback. The topics include:
Lesson 1: Reel History: The Jewish American Story on Film
This video lesson is an interactive journey paired with a viewing guide to uncover the layers of Jewish American identity, including the community’s history, culture, challenges, triumphs, and contributions to American society.
Lesson 2: Highlighting the History & Experience of Jewish Americans
This lesson will unravel this fascinating cord, exploring the very essence of what makes Jewish Americans an ethnic group, a people united by a shared history, culture, and a deep sense of peoplehood.
Lesson 3: Discovering the Diversity of Jewish Americans
This lesson examines how Jewish Americans, with origins spanning the globe and appearances reflecting that diversity, think about their identities, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage they bring to the United States.
Lesson 4: An Eye on Jewish American Identity
This lesson examines the interplay between visible and invisible identity markers by analyzing how these factors shape both self-perception and societal perception, while also highlighting the necessity of moving beyond a ‘single story’ narrative to acknowledge the rich and varied identities within the Jewish American community.
Lesson 5: Making a Mark: Highlighting Jewish American Contributions
This lesson explores the profound contributions of Jewish Americans. Students will explore how Jewish Americans have shaped society, leaving an indelible mark on fields like science, medicine, and the ongoing fight for human rights, revealing the powerful impact of their diverse perspectives and experiences.
Lesson 6: A Spotlight on the Orthodox Jewish American Community
This lesson explores the Orthodox Jewish American Community and its vibrant network of sub-branches, from the Modern Orthodox, who blend tradition with the contemporary world, to the deeply rooted Haredi communities, each with their own internal nuances. By understanding these distinctions, students will gain a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of Jewish American life and experiences.
Lesson 7: Pump up the JAHM: Jewish American Heritage Month
This lesson offers creative and engaging activities to inspire Jewish American Heritage Month celebrations in the classroom.
About ICS: The Institute for Curriculum Services (ICS) is dedicated to improving the accuracy of K-12 instruction and instructional materials on Jews, Judaism, and Jewish history. We do this by developing standards-aligned curricula and providing professional development to teachers around the country. We believe an excellent education is essential to building a strong civil society, where all people can flourish.
Find more JAHM educator resources at https://icsresources.org/jahm-with-ics-2025/