May is Jewish American Heritage Month
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Jewish Americans who have helped form the fabric of American history, culture and society.
The Leonard Bernstein Collection
Leonard Bernstein, arguably the most prominent figure in American classical music of the second half of the twentieth century, made his impact as a conductor, as a composer of classical and theater music, and as an educator. The online collection makes available a significant selection of correspondence both to and from Bernstein, musical sketches for several of his major works, writings, including the scripts for his Young People's Concerts, Thursday Evening Previews, Omnibus, and Ford Presents, his scrapbooks, photographs, and audio-visual materials.
Explore the online collection »
Image credit: Leonard Bernstein, half-length portrait, facing right, seated at piano, making annotations to musical score / World Telegram & Sun photo by Al. Ravenna. Photograph. Library of Congress.
Resources from the National Endowment for the Humanities
Each May, EDSITEment celebrates Jewish American Heritage Month by pointing to the rich array of educational resources on the history of the Jewish people in America. Many of the programs and websites highlighted have been funded in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities over the past decades.
Explore the website »
Image Credit: Screen capture from “City of Immigrants” interactive, National Endowment for the Humanities and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
For Teachers
Put the power of primary sources to work in the classroom. Browse ready-to-use lesson plans, student activities, collection guides and research aids.
Educational Resources »
Image Credit: Jewish refugee children, enroute to Philadelphia aboard liner President Harding, waving at the Statue of Liberty (Library of Congress)
2018 Event Highlights
Presentation and Book Signing
May 2
The Eddie Cantor Story: A Jewish Life in Performance and Politics
Eddie Cantor (1892–1964) was one of the most important entertainers of the 20th century, starring in theater, film, radio, and television. Historian David Weinstein discusses Cantor's immense popularity, his pride in his Jewish heritage, and his engagement with political issues which distinguished him from other headliners of his era. Livestreaming on YouTube
National Archives
Conversations with Holocaust Survivors
May 3
Interview with Julie Keefer
Holocaust survivors tell their life stories in their own words, uniting personal experience with history in a way that is extraordinary in its immediacy and power. Each hour-long program features a live interview between journalist Bill Benson and a survivor.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Book Talk
May 7
Jewish Peddlers and their American Journeys
In cooperation with the Jewish Genealogy Society of Greater Washington, New York University professor Hasia Diner will present a lecture titled “Roads Taken: Jewish Peddlers and their American Journeys.”
Library of Congress
Panel Discussion
May 17
Americans and the Holocaust: What Did New Yorkers Know?
While media around the country provided frequent and vivid accounts of rising Nazi brutality in Europe, Americans tended to focus inward in the 1930–40s. Step back in time with Museum and local experts to explore headlines and artifacts from that time period in New York.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Bernstein Centennial Minifest
May 19
Leonard Bernstein at 100
A day-long, immersive experience anchored by an extensive display of manuscripts, letters, playbills, photographs and memorabilia, sketches, casting notes, and designs. Pianist Jon Kalbfleisch and a team of singers will be on hand to perform musical vignettes.
Library of Congress
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