WEEK 1 (May 1-7)
5/1/2026
FREE
Founded by Challah Back Girls™ in 2024, National Challah Day is a cultural celebration braided with purpose. Held every May 2 during Jewish American Heritage Month, it uplifts Jewish resilience, creativity, and community—one loaf at a time.
From events in big cities to small gatherings at home, people are hosting, baking, and sharing their connection to challah in their own ways. National Challah Day invites individuals and organizations nationwide to rise together through baking, storytelling, and action.
In 2026, Challah Back Girls and OneTable are working to grow National Challah Day on May 1–2, engage more people, and celebrate challah all Shabbat long! Participants are invited to get involved by signing up for exclusive recipes, events, curated resources, prizes, and a few surprises. Plus, Jewish young adults (ages 21-39ish) are invited to start Shabbating with OneTable anywhere in the United States and Toronto in honor of National Challah Day.
Organized by: Challah Back Girls and OneTable, Nationwide
The First Salute: An Untold Story of the American Revolution | SPECIAL EXHIBITION
5/1/2026 through April 2027 10:00-5:00 PM EDT
$18+
The First Salute: An Untold Story of the American Revolution is the first-ever major museum exhibition to explore the little-known story of a small group of Jewish merchants in the Caribbean whose outsized contributions to the cause of American Liberty tipped the scales in the fight for American Independence. This original exhibition will be on view at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia through April 2027. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 10:00-5:00
Organized by: Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, Philadelphia
Dual Heritage Month Celebration
5/3/2026 1:00-5:00 EDT
FREE
Immerse yourself in a FREE multicultural family celebration at The Weitzman on May 3rd in partnership with American Jewish Committee (AJC) and Pennsylvania Asian Pacific American Jewish Alliance (PAPAJA)!
Musical and dance performances, hands‑on crafts, workshops, and guided tours weave together a joyful day for visitors of all ages. Bring your family and friends to spend May 3 at The Weitzman Museum. Share moments of discovery, connection, and creativity—honoring Jewish American and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month through culture and community.
Let’s create memories that bridge cultures and ignite curiosity as we celebrate Jewish American and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month together.
Organized by: Weitzman Museum, PAPAJA, and AJC, Philadelphia
Labors of Love: The Life and Legacy of Henrietta Szold | Docs and Dialogues Series
5/4/2026 6:00 PM EDT Reception | 7:00 PM EDT Film and Talkback
$10+
Visionary leader and one of history’s most influential, yet under-recognized, American-Jewish women, Henrietta Szold, founded Hadassah, established a healthcare system treating Arabs and Jews equally, and led Youth Aliyah, saving 11,000 children from the Nazis. This heartfelt documentary brings the incredible story of a woman who reshaped history through compassion and an unwavering belief in humanity.
Organized by: PJFM, a Program of the Weitzman Museum, Philadelphia
Sapiro v Ford: The Jew Who Sued Henry Ford | Docs and Dialogues Series
5/5/2026 7:00-9:00 PM EDT Film and Talkback
$10+
A true David vs. Goliath story.
San Francisco Jewish lawyer Aaron Sapiro singlehandedly takes on the automobile magnate Henry Ford, challenging Ford’s virulent antisemitic attacks. The film presents a multi-layered narrative centered on this David vs. Goliath story, culminating in a legal showdown. The words of Aaron Sapiro, portrayed by the actor Ben Shenkman, are Sapiro’s in their entirety. The character of Sapiro, filmed as if a contemporary interview for its modern-day significance, is woven throughout the film, while other interviewees provide historical context of the events.
Film preceded by short A Bit of Everything and Matzoh Balls Too (2025).
Organized by: PJFM, a Program of the Weitzman Museum, Philadelphia
“1776: Jews and the American Revolution”
5/6/2026 12:00 PM EDT
FREE
Historian Laura Arnold Leibman is delivering a lecture discussing how Jews shaped the American Revolution and how the Revolution remapped American Jewish life.
Organized by: Library of Congress, virtual and in-person event
Chicago Cubs Jewish Heritage Night
5/6/2026 6:40 PM CDT
The Chicago Cubs will recognize Jewish American Heritage Month at the ballpark. Join us for special moments that celebrate the Jewish community.
Stop by Gallagher Way pregame to enjoy special activations, including:
- A Gaga pit available to all fans on a first-come, first-served basis, courtesy of JCC Chicago.
- Various bagels, as well as Nutella rugelach and schmaltzy potato knishes, will be available for purchase from Steingold’s Bagels & Nosh.
- Complimentary pins and stickers from the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate, while supplies last.
- A pregame set performance by Jewish DJ and Chicago native Noah Berg.
The celebration continues in the ballpark as fans are welcome to enjoy kosher concessions at the kosher cart behind Section 217, including hot dogs, steak sandwiches, and pretzels! Before the game, David Williams, Deputy Chief of the Multi-Jurisdiction Bureau at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, will throw out a ceremonial first pitch, and cantor Rachel Brook of Anshe Emet Synagogue will sing the national anthem.
Organized by: Chicago Cubs and MLB
“The First Salute” with Laura Leibman and Dan Tadmor
5/7/2026 6:00 PM EDT and recorded
$12 plus fees
Join Professor Laura Arnold Leibman, historian and author, alongside Dan Tadmor, President and CEO of the Weitzman Museum, to discuss the First Salute and the museum’s new exhibit by the same name. Leibman served as a historical advisor on the exhibit.
Organized by: Weitzman Museum and 70 Faces Media, virtual
WEEK 2 (May 8-14)
The First Salute: An Untold Story of the American Revolution | SPECIAL EXHIBITION
5/8/2026 through April 2027 10:00-5:00 PM EDT
$18+
The First Salute: An Untold Story of the American Revolution is the first-ever major museum exhibition to explore the little-known story of a small group of Jewish merchants in the Caribbean whose outsized contributions to the cause of American Liberty tipped the scales in the fight for American Independence. This original exhibition will be on view at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia through April 2027. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 10:00-5:00
Organized by: Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, Philadelphia
Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival
5/12/26 – 5/19/2026
$16.78+
Kick off the LA Film Festival May 12, 2026, with the opening night gala and world premiere of The Hollywood Rabbi
Organized by: LAJFF, Los Angeles
An Evening of Sephardic Music with Lily Henley
5/13/2026 7:00-8:30 PM EDT
FREE | Registration Required
Singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter Lily Henley brings a rare intensity to the stage, reviving the Sephardic Jewish ballad tradition with a modern spark that feels both intimate and alive. Her work lifts Ladino—an endangered language shaped by centuries of Sephardic history—into the present with striking clarity and heart. Join us for this standout moment in the American Folklife Center’s Homegrown Concert Series, where Henley’s voice and vision turn cultural preservation into something immediate and unforgettable.
With Oras Dezaoradas (Lior Éditions Records), Henley expands that vision even further, reimagining Sephardic ballads shaped by centuries of movement and migration. The album draws on the full linguistic and musical tapestry of the Sephardic world—Spanish, Hebrew, Arabic, Turkish, and Persian threads woven into melodies that feel both rooted and newly illuminated. Each track becomes a vessel for the stories and inner lives of Sephardic women, carried across generations and brought into sharp, contemporary focus.
Organized by: Weitzman Museum and American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Recording will be available 3-5 weeks following the concert
5/14/2026 12:00-2:00 PM EDT
FREE | Advanced Registration Required
Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) Reception, hosted by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Jewish Community Relations Council, Rabbi David Kushner, and the Mayor’s Office of Faith-Based Initiatives and Interfaith Affairs.
The reception will follow the reading of a resolution during the morning’s Council session and will feature remarks from Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, along with other elected officials, faith and community leaders.
This year’s event commemorates the 20th anniversary of Jewish American Heritage Month and the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Organized by: JCRC, Philadelphia City Hall
WEEK 3 (May 15-21)
Playing It Forward: Championing Jewish Values in Sport
5/15/2026 10:00 AM
FREE | Registration Required
A JAHM tribute to Jewish athletes, institutions, and changemakers that have helped shape the story of sport in Los Angeles and America. As LA prepares to welcome the world for the 2028 Games, these stories of determination, courage, and grit remind us how champions play it forward.
Organized by: JAHMLA, JFEDLA, and Jewish Historical Society, Los Angeles City Hall Council Chambers
The First Salute: An Untold Story of the American Revolution | SPECIAL EXHIBITION
5/8/2026 through April 2027 10:00-5:00 PM EDT
$18+
The First Salute: An Untold Story of the American Revolution is the first-ever major museum exhibition to explore the little-known story of a small group of Jewish merchants in the Caribbean whose outsized contributions to the cause of American Liberty tipped the scales in the fight for American Independence. This original exhibition will be on view at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia through April 2027. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 10:00-5:00
Organized by: Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, Philadelphia
The Philly Jewish Music Festival
5/17/2026 12:00 PM EDT
$36+
This isn’t just another music festival – it’s a powerful statement about cultural exchange and community building. By partnering with regional and national performers, we’re transforming Philadelphia into a vibrant hub where Jewish musical expression meets mainstream appreciation.
Festival artists span hip-hop, rock, R&B, singer/songwriter, and Mizrachi, Sephardic, and klezmer musical traditions, pushing boundaries and defying expectations. Headlined by Matisyahu
Organized by Fractured Atlas with Festival partners The Weitzman, PJFM, Dream Network, StandWithUs, and jkidphilly
Talk: Medals Commemorating Haym Salomon | Livestream Event
5/17/2026 3:00 PM PDT
FREE
Talk by Mel Wacks, Director of the Jewish-American Hall of Fame, about the Financier to the American Revolution
Meeting ID 873 3641 1474 Passcode 225743
Organized by: Jewish-American Hall of Fame
Khantshe in Amerike — An Operetta by Joseph Rumshinsky
5/18/2026 07:00 PM
$10 (FREE Livestream available)
Join YIVO for a performance of the music of Khantshe in Amerike, a 1912 operetta that touches on topics including love, gender, women’s suffrage, and the changing social status of women in turn-of-the-century America. This event forms part of Carnegie Hall’s festival, United in Sound: America at 250.
Organized by: YIVO Institute for Jewish Research and the American Society for Jewish Music’s Jewish Music Forum
Jewish Community Day at The Nationals
5/19/2026 6:45 PM
$46+
The Washington Nationals and the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington invite members of local Jewish synagogues and organizations to join for Jewish Community Day. Special ticket buyers will receive a Jewish Community Day hat.
Organized by: The Nationals and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
We Met at Grossinger’s | Docs & Dialogues Series
5/19/2026 7:00 PM
$10+
We Met at Grossinger’s is a dazzling excavation of cultural memory and mythology. Throughout decades of prejudice stifling the integration of Jewish immigrants in America, the Borscht Belt in the Catskills provided an oasis of belonging, and Grossinger’s Resort and Hotel was the crown jewel. DOC NYC alumna Paula Eiselt resurrects this vanished world with an immersive warmth, providing a timely reminder of the historic richness of Jewish culture and its immeasurable contributions to American life.
Post-film Discussion with Director Paula Eiselt with Reception to Follow
Organized by: PJFM, a Program of the Weitzman Museum, Philadelphia
A Toast to JAHM: 20 Years of Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month | Livestream Event
5/20/2026 6:00 PM EDT
FREE | Registration Required
This session begins by exploring why heritage months are vital for fostering a sense of belonging and ensuring historical accuracy. At the heart of the program is our Jewish American identity, history, and experience content, which serves as a master toolkit for discussing any complex identity group. To wrap it up, you’ll receive exclusive access to seven “JAHM-sized” mini-lessons from ICS, designed to be easily integrated into your May schedule for a seamless classroom celebration.
Organized by: Institute for Curriculum Services
WEEK 4 (May 22-31)
The First SaluteThe First Salute: An Untold Story of the American Revolution | SPECIAL EXHIBITION
5/22/2026 through April 2027 10:00-5:00 PM EDT
$18+
The First Salute: An Untold Story of the American Revolution is the first-ever major museum exhibition to explore the little-known story of a small group of Jewish merchants in the Caribbean whose outsized contributions to the cause of American Liberty tipped the scales in the fight for American Independence. This original exhibition will be on view at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia through April 2027. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 10:00-5:00
Organized by: Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, Philadelphia
Rooted: What Does Jewish Look Like?
5/31/2026 1:00 PM EDT
FREE | Registration required
An interactive workshop inspired by What Jewish Looks Like, a powerful exploration of Jewish identity through learning about history and personal storytelling. Together, we’ll celebrate the rich diversity of the Jewish community and reflect on the many ways Jewishness is seen, felt, and lived.
Organized by Jewish Learning Venture and Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, Philadelphia
“Adio Kerida” Film Screening & Book Signing with Author Ruth Behar | Latin Jewish Film Festival
5/31/2026 6:30 PM PDT
Join us for the third screening of our Los Angeles Latin-Jewish Film Festival*, featuring the beloved Adio Kerida (Goodbye Dear Love). We’re thrilled to welcome distinguished anthropologist, MacArthur Fellow, and the film’s director, Ruth Behar, for a special conversation and book signing immediately following the screening on May 31st. This event also marks the conclusion of Jewish American Heritage Month.
Organized by Jewtina y C.o, Los Angeles