Jewish American Heritage Month honors the enduring contributions of Jewish Americans to every facet of American life. Over the past year, pop culture played a meaningful role in shaping how Jewish identity, Israel, and antisemitism are understood in the public square.
From literature to television to social media, Jewish voices continued to expand representation and deepen awareness. Across genres and generations, this year’s cultural moments reflected the richness and diversity of the Jewish experience, while also responding to growing challenges with courage and creativity.
In the literary world, stories that reflect Jewish life took many forms. For younger audiences, Jewish characters in young adult fiction offered connection and comfort, even when Jewish identity wasn’t the central theme. For fans of historical fiction, books like The Goddess of Warsaw by Lisa Barr, The Nurse Behind the Gates by Shari J. Ryan, and The Jews of Donwell Abbey by Mirta Ines Trupp provided new windows into Jewish perseverance and pride. Meanwhile, readers seeking thoughtful engagement with Israel and the Jewish state found powerful advocacy in works like One Jewish State by Ambassador David Friedman and The Battle for the Jewish State by Victoria Coates. For younger children, joyful titles such as A Turkish Rosh Hashanah, An Etrog from Across the Sea, and One More Story, Tata! celebrated Jewish tradition and belonging.
Screen entertainment also delivered stories that centered the Jewish experience with honesty and emotional depth. Series like We Were the Lucky Ones, starring Joey King, and Lady in the Lake, with Natalie Portman, brought the complexity of Jewish identity to new audiences. Films like Between the Temples and A Real Pain balanced humor, reflection, and history, while documentaries such as September 5 and The Brutalist invited viewers to confront difficult truths and honor memory.
But 2024 was not only a year of representation—it was a year of response. In the wake of October 7 and an alarming rise in antisemitism, Jewish and allied voices turned to advocacy with renewed urgency. In July, Meta’s updated hate speech policy formally recognized the use of the word “Zionist” as a common proxy for antisemitism, committing to remove such posts when coupled with hate. This policy change marked a critical step in affirming that antisemitism, in all its modern forms, must be addressed with clarity and consistency.
Influencers and digital creators also played a key role in advancing this advocacy. The “Voices for Truth” summit in New York City brought together 300 pro-Israel social media figures to strategize combating online hate. Samantha Ettus's “New Year, New Voices” campaign invited both Jewish and non-Jewish voices to speak out, reminding the world that opposing antisemitism is as vital as confronting any other form of bigotry.
Online platforms like TikTok became powerful spaces for community and education. Under the hashtag #JewishTikTok, creators such as Miriam Ezagui, Libby Walker, Marcia Belsky, and Melinda Strauss brought humor, heritage, and everyday moments to life. Book reviewer Amanda Spivack introduced readers to Jewish stories, while Holocaust survivors Tova Friedman and Lily Ebert used the platform to share their testimonies and answer questions from younger generations, continuing their mission to educate and inspire.
This year reaffirmed that advocacy can take many forms—from literature and entertainment to policy change and digital storytelling. Each contribution plays a role in building a more informed, inclusive, and resilient society. As we mark Jewish American Heritage Month, AJC celebrates the voices that bring Jewish life into focus, the allies who stand beside us, and the ongoing work of securing a future in which Jewish identity is embraced, protected, and understood.
Spotlight on Jewish Representation and Advocacy in 2024: A Curated Guide
In celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month, we’re highlighting a range of recent books, films, and digital movements that reflect the vitality, complexity, and resilience of Jewish identity today. These resources not only elevate Jewish voices and stories but also model how culture can serve as a tool for education, solidarity, and advocacy.
Film, Television & Streaming
Contemporary visual storytelling offered audiences an opportunity to explore Jewish history, identity, and humor through compelling narratives and dynamic characters:
- We Were the Lucky Ones – A moving adaptation of Georgia Hunter’s novel, following a Jewish family's survival across WWII.
- Lady in the Lake – A period drama starring Natalie Portman, interweaving Jewish and Black experiences in 1960s Baltimore.
- A Real Pain – Directed by Jesse Eisenberg, this road-trip dramedy navigates Holocaust memory and generational trauma with sharp wit and emotional insight.
- Between the Temples – A comedy-drama centering on a cantor’s personal and professional identity crisis.
- September 5 – A reflective documentary-style film exploring the impact of terror and remembrance.
- The Brutalist – An artistic deep dive into the life of a Jewish architect fleeing wartime Europe to seek new beginnings.
Books for Teens and Adults
Jewish stories flourished in fiction this year—whether rooted in history, romance, or politics—offering readers fresh insights and nuanced portrayals.
- Magical Meet Cute by Jean Meltzer – A lighthearted romantic comedy that brings Jewish magic and humor into the dating world.
- Till There Was You by Lindsay Hameroff – A smart, heartwarming novel with layered Jewish characters and themes.
- The Goddess of Warsaw by Lisa Barr – A gripping WWII thriller spotlighting a fearless Jewish heroine.
- The Nurse Behind the Gates by Shari J. Ryan – A Holocaust love story rooted in survival and bravery.
- The Jews of Donwell Abbey: An Emma Vagary by Mirta Ines Trupp – A clever intersection of Regency fiction and Jewish life.
- The Battle for the Jewish State by Victoria Coates – A powerful defense of Israel’s identity and democratic ideals.
Children’s Books
These engaging, joyful stories introduce young readers to Jewish traditions, holidays, and heroes—laying a foundation for pride and curiosity:
- A Turkish Rosh Hashanah by Etan Basseri and Zeynep Özatalay
- The Jews: 5,000 Years and Counting by Rob Kutner
- Max and the Not-So-Perfect Apology by Carl Harris Shuman
- An Etrog from Across the Sea by Deborah Bodin Cohen and Kerry Olitzky
- Mixed-Up Mooncakes by Christina Matula and Erica Lyons
- Sammy Spider’s First Book of Jewish Holidays by Sylvia Rouss and Katherine Kahn
- One More Story, Tata! by Julie Salamon and Jill Weber
- Ping-Pong Shabbat: The True Story of Champion Estee Ackerman by Ann Koffsky and Abigail Rajunov
Social Media & Digital Movements
Digital platforms became influential arenas for advocacy and education in 2024, driven by creators and campaigns challenging antisemitism and celebrating Jewish life:
- #JewishTikTok – A vibrant space where Jewish creators—like Orthodox influencer Miriam Ezagui, comedians Marcia Belsky and Libby Walker, and Holocaust survivors Tova Friedman and Lily Ebert—share stories, humor, food, and educational content with millions.
- Voices for Truth Summit – Held in New York City with 300+ pro-Israel influencers, the summit empowered content creators to respond to online hate with facts, dignity, and digital literacy. Notable participants included Mayor Eric Adams, Andy Cohen, and Montana Tucker.
- Meta Policy Update (July 2024) – A significant milestone in the fight against online hate, Meta revised its platforms’ policies to prohibit antisemitic use of the term “Zionist” when employed as a proxy for anti-Jewish rhetoric.
- New Year, New Voices Campaign – Led by Samantha Ettus, this initiative called on both Jewish and non-Jewish advocates to speak out, asserting that “It is just as acceptable to stand up against antisemitism as it is any form of hate towards any ethnic group.”
