May is Jewish American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the stories, voices, and contributions that have shaped American history and culture. For schools and libraries, it’s a powerful opportunity to bring those stories to life through reading. From books to shared cultural experiences, there are many ways to spark reflection, build understanding, and connect readers to Jewish American heritage.
The Power of Representation in Reading
For many families, representation in books shapes how we see ourselves and each other. Beanstack Cofounder and the host of The Reading Culture Podcast, Jordan Lloyd-Bookey, shares her experience as a mother raising Black Jewish children and her efforts to create spaces for Jews of Color:
Growing up in Des Moines, Iowa, I was frequently the only Jewish kid in a group or the first Jewish person someone had ever met. It could feel isolating, and I got pretty good at figuring out how to fit in. Thank goodness for Judy Blume, who gave us books like “Are You There G-d? It’s Me, Margaret” with lovable, relatable Jewish characters. Judy reminded me that I was “normal.”
Now, fast forward to my current day. I live in Washington, D.C., am married to a Black, Christian man, and together we’re raising our two Black/mixed Jewish children. From the moment our kids were born, I was intentional about surrounding them with books that represented their Black heritage. And thanks to the work of organizations like We Need Diverse Books, we could eventually bring home library hauls with books featuring characters who looked like them.
But from a Jewish perspective, the options were far more limited. Despite the fact that about 15% of the Jewish population in the United States is made up of people of color, very few books with Jewish characters represent that reality.
Outside of work, I have dedicated a good deal of time to local efforts to create spaces for Jews of Color to come together, celebrate Jewish holidays, and even go on a Civil Rights trip to Alabama and Georgia together. When it came time for our own kids’ b. mitzvahs, we made sure to honor their multiple ancestries and even created our own program with our friend, a Black/mixed rabbi, to ensure a holistic experience for our kids and their communities. It is my hope that this reality of a varied Jewish experience continues to be more frequently represented in books in the coming years.
Why Reading Matters for Jewish American Heritage Month
There are many ways to honor different cultures and heritages, sharing their stories is one way that has been consistent throughout history. Through reading, we create space for ourselves and others to join conversations with more insights and the ability to make reasonable decisions moving forward.
Build Connection Through Lived Experience
Featuring books by and about Jewish heritage allows readers of all ages to connect personally while also expanding their understanding of experiences different from their own. Lived experience is a person’s way of being able to represent who they are as well as how the world is for them. It’s a form of representation that has the power to motivate. When allowed the space to grow, children can discover those who inspire them to be better, teens can form a better understanding of identity, plus their exploration of their own, and adults can reconnect with a shared constant: each person wants to be seen and understood.
Use Stories to Deepen Understanding
Stories bring lived experiences and history to life for others who may not have had that experience or know it occurred. Reading about a person’s persistence during a journey filled with trials and tribulations, the courage of a young girl who documents her life during a socially and politically harmful period that remains a hard truth, or the creativity of an artist transforming their pain into relatable work helps humanize and nuance history.
Recommended Reads by Age Group
Jewish authors have contributed to the literary landscape with works that dive into identity, religion, and the complexities of history. Here are 10 essential reads to start your journey:
Children
Jalapeño Bagels by Natasha Wing
- Wing’s picture book is a tale of two cultures, Mexican and Jewish, celebrated and discovered through baked goods, told through a young boy's and his parents' perspectives.
Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko
- Wing’s picture book is a tale of two cultures, Mexican and Jewish, celebrated and discovered through baked goods, told through a young boy's and his parents' perspectives.
Teen
Black Bird, Blue Road by Sofiya Pasternack
- Pasternack’s historical fantasy novel follows the journey of twins, Pesah and Ziva, to find a cure for Pesah’s leprosy. Through their journey, they must evade the Angel of Death while trying to reach a promised safe haven where the twins can remain together forever.
What Jewish Looks Like by Liz Kleinrock and Caroline Kusin Pritchard
- Educator and author Kleinrock wrote this book with Pritchard to bring forth a first-of-its-kind intersectional anthology that celebrates 36 Jewish heroes and challenges the narrative on how Jewish people look, act, and are perceived to be.
The Length of a String by Elissa Brent Weissman
- Brent Weissman’s tale of a young Black girl’s search to find her Jewish birth parents is a coming-of-age story that traces ancestry and heritage back to 1941 – all because of one diary.
Young Adult
Today, Tonight, & Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon
- Solomon’s romantic comedy documents a fierce rivalry between two overachievers in high school, vying for top student honors before graduation. But what sparks as rivalry turns into a love story with the city of Seattle as its backdrop.
Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert
- This Young Adult novel explores the lived experiences of teen stepsiblings with a mixture of identities – Suzette processing her sexual identity as a bisexual and her step-brother Lionel struggling with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
Adult
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
- Bardugo’s bestselling fantasy novel thrusts you into the life of Luzia Cotado, a scullion who has a secret talent those with nobility want for warring reasons. Historical fantasy fans might find deep intrigue in Luzia’s story, set in 16th-century Madrid, when Sephardic Jewish people were expelled from Spain.
The Color of Water by James McBride
- McBride’s New York Times bestseller memoir, which has sold over 2.1 million copies worldwide, tells the story of his relationship with his white, Jewish mother, Ruth. Considered an American classic, it explores family, identity, and the journey of uncovering one’s heritage.
Comics & Manga Spotlight on Comics Plus
Comics, manga, and graphic novels are powerful ways to engage a wide range of readers, especially those who may not gravitate toward traditional books. Platforms like Comics Plus, offer access to thousands of titles making it easier for your community to discover new stories this Jewish American Heritage Month. Here are a few selections from our Elementary, Middle, and High School collections:
Children
- Shoham’s Bangle by Sarah Sassoon and Noa Kelner (Lerner)
- French Toast Sundays by Gloria Spielman and Gigi Bousidan (Apples & Honey Press)
- I Am the Tree of Life: My Jewish Yoga Book by Rabbi Mychal Copeland and Andre Ceolin (Apples & Honey Press)
- Miep and the Most Famous Diary: The Women Who Rescued Anne Frank’s Diary by Meeg Pincus and Jordi Solano (Cherry Lake Publishing)
Teen
- Behind the Curtain by Sara del Giudice (Europe Comics)
- We Survived the Holocaust: The Bluma and Felix Goldberg Story by Frank W. Baker, John Shableski, and Tim E. Ogline (Tree of Life Books)
Young Adult
- For Justice: The Serge & Beate Klarsfeld Story by Beate Klarsfeld, Pascal Bresson, Serge Klarsfeld, and Sylvain Dorange (Humanoids)
- Superman isn’t Jewish (but I am…kinda) by Jimmy Bemon and Émilie Boudet (Humanoids)
- Fagin The Jew 10th Anniversary Edition by Will Eisner (Dark Horse)
- Interwined: the Last Jewish Daughter of Kaifeng by Fabrice Sapolsky, Ho Seng Hui, Will Torres, and Fei Chen (FairSquare Graphics)
Adult
- Never Again Will I Visit Auschwitz: A Graphic Family Memoir of Trauma & Inheritance by Ari Richter (Fantagraphics)
- Mezek by Yann and André Juillard (Europe Comics)
Bring It to Life with a Reading Challenge
Jewish American Heritage Month is an opportunity to consider the voices of others while strengthening your community of readers. With many books, comics, and other learning formats, new perspectives can be formed. If you’re looking for a simple way to bring this to life, Beanstack offers ready-made reading challenge templates to help you get started.
Ready to motivate and inspire? With Beanstack, help your readers make meaningful connections to the stories they discover through customizable challenges – log reading, award badges, and celebrate your community’s progress all in one place. Reach out today to our team to learn more.