Whether you're an educator looking to introduce students to the rich tapestry of Jewish American life or seeking tools to combat antisemitism through education, these trusted organizations offer high-quality lesson plans, classroom materials, and professional development opportunities tailored for Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM). These organizations are esteemed for their dedication to education, providing nonpartisan, well-regarded resources widely utilized by educators and trusted by institutions like AJC. We recommend visiting Jewish American Heritage Month to review resources and lesson plans.
- Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Website: theweitzman.org
Offerings: Provides K-12 lesson plans focusing on Jewish American history and culture, including resources for educators to integrate JAHM into their curriculum.
Why Trusted: As the only national museum dedicated to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience, it serves as the official organizer of JAHM, ensuring authoritative and comprehensive content.
- Facing History and Ourselves
Website: https://www.facinghistory.org/
Offerings: Provides curriculum materials and professional development for middle and high school educators, focusing on Jewish identity, history, and the Holocaust.
Why Trusted: Esteemed for its rigorous approach to teaching about racism, antisemitism, and prejudice, fostering critical thinking and ethical decision-making among students.
- Institute for Curriculum Services (ICS)
Website: https://icsresources.org/curriculum/
Offerings: Delivers K-12 lesson plans and resources on Jewish Americans, emphasizing history, identity, and contributions.
Why Trusted: Recognized for its expertise in developing accurate and balanced educational materials and lesson plans based on primary sources on Jewish topics; widely utilized by educators nationwide.
- Jewish Women's Archive (JWA)
Website: https://jwa.org/teach/lessonplans
Offerings: Offers lesson plans and resources highlighting the contributions of Jewish women in various fields, suitable for middle and high school students.
Why Trusted: A respected organization dedicated to documenting and sharing Jewish women's stories, providing valuable perspectives on gender and cultural history.
- The Jewish Education Project
Website: https://educator.jewishedproject.org/
Offerings: Provides resources and lesson plans for educators to teach about Jewish American heritage, history, and identity across various grade levels.
Why Trusted: Known for its commitment to innovation in Jewish education and support for educators in diverse learning environments.
- Unpacked for Educators:
Website: https://unpacked.education/
Offerings: Provides a comprehensive suite of multimedia resources, including videos, articles, podcasts, and lesson plans, designed for middle and high school educators. Their materials cover topics such as Jewish history, Israeli culture, antisemitism, and Jewish traditions.
Why Trusted: As a division of OpenDor Media, Unpacked for Educators is recognized for delivering nuanced and engaging educational content.
- Echoes & Reflections
Website: https://echoesandreflections.org/
Offerings: Specializes in Holocaust education with comprehensive lesson plans and professional development for middle and high school educators.
Why Trusted: A collaborative program by ADL, USC Shoah Foundation, and Yad Vashem, ensuring high-quality, authoritative content on Holocaust education.
