Established nationally in 2006 to recognize over 350 years of Jewish contributions to American history and culture, Jewish American Heritage Month coincides with several significant observances in 2026, including Lag BaOmer from May 4–5, Yom Yerushalayim from May 14–15, and Shavuot from May 21–23. On April 21st, in a unanimous and historic decision, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has passed a formal resolution officially recognizing May as Jewish American Heritage Month.
The resolution was authored by Board Member Nick Melvoin (District 4) following consultations with author and activist Noa Tishby. The initiative was born from a shared objective to address a notable void in K-12 curricula regarding Jewish history and identity, particularly as schools nationwide face unprecedented levels of antisemitism rooted in misinformation.
The resolution received broad leadership support and was co-sponsored by Board President Scott Schmerelson (District 3) and Board Member Sherlett Hendy Newbill (District 1).
New Educational Mandates and Resources
Central to the resolution is the recommendation of Eighteen.Org, a multi-platform organization dedicated to combating antisemitism and inspiring Jewish pride and primary resource for educators. The non-profit provides Los Angeles students with a dedicate curriculum for the first time since Jewish American Heritage Month was nationally recognized in 2006.
During the proceedings, board members emphasized that the resolution serves as more than a symbolic gesture; it is a direct affirmative response to hostility in schools.
Noa Tishby, Founder and CEO of Eighteen, characterized the resolution as a “mandate to educate, engage, and act,” stressing the importance of the Jewish community reclaiming the narrative of its own history.
Board Member Nick Melvoin (District 4) states,
“By encouraging our schools to engage in meaningful cultural and historical learning, we help ensure that students better understand the diversity that shapes our communities and our nation… We’re not just checking a box, we are educating the next generation.”
LAUSD’s new curriculum establishes a significant institutional precedent, as LAUSD is the largest school district in California and the second-largest in the United States, serving over 560,000 students.
www.eighteen.org.
