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Jewish American Heritage Month, 2026

SignedMay 4, 2026
Proclamation·Donald Trump·Jewish Heritage
Why This Matters

May 2026 is now officially designated as Jewish American Heritage Month to honor the contributions of Jewish Americans over the past 250 years.

Communities across the country will celebrate Jewish culture and history through various programs and activities during this month.
All Americans, particularly Jewish communities, educators, and organizations promoting cultural awareness.
What You Need to Know

May 2026 is now recognized as Jewish American Heritage Month, celebrating the significant contributions of Jewish Americans throughout the nation's history. The proclamation encourages Americans to engage in programs, activities, and ceremonies that honor Jewish heritage and promote understanding among all communities. It also highlights the importance of religious freedom and the fight against anti-Semitism, particularly on college campuses, as part of the ongoing commitment to protect the rights of all citizens.

This designation comes during a historic year marking 250 years of American independence, emphasizing the role of Jewish Americans in shaping the nation. The proclamation references the legacy of figures like Haym Salomon, who played a crucial role in the American Revolution, and calls for a national Sabbath from sundown on May 15 to nightfall on May 16, inviting people of all backgrounds to reflect and express gratitude. Through this month, the aim is to foster a deeper appreciation for the Jewish American experience and its impact on American culture and values.

As communities prepare for this month of celebration, various organizations and local leaders may plan events to highlight Jewish traditions and contributions. The call for observance encourages unity and respect among diverse communities, reinforcing the importance of faith and freedom in American society.

Who is affected?

All Americans, particularly Jewish communities, educators, and organizations promoting cultural awareness.

Read on Federal Registerfederalregister.gov
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Presidential Actions

JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2026

Proclamations

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

This Jewish American Heritage Month, we honor the countless contributions of Jewish Americans throughout our Nation’s 250 glorious years of independence, and we celebrate their unwavering commitment to the values that make our country great — faith, family, and freedom.

In his letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1790, President George Washington beautifully said, “May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while everyone shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.” Since the earliest days of our Republic, Jewish Americans have helped build the cause of liberty and sustain the greatness of our Nation.  Among them was the iconic Haym Salomon, an early supporter of the war for independence.  As stories tell us, Salomon was instrumental in the success of our Continental Congress and Founding Fathers, and rallied support for freedom.  He was a zealous advocate against tyranny, and even after imprisonment by the British Crown, he continued his work in defense of freedom.  In the end, he gave everything to the success of the American Revolution.  Like so many Jewish Americans who follow in his footsteps, Salomon’s legacy stands as a testament to the unshakable belief in the American promise. 

In the same letter to the Hebrew Congregation at Newport, President Washington proclaimed that the United States “gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.” Under my leadership, we are aggressively fighting the violence against Jewish Americans that increased under my predecessor, prosecuting hateful criminals to the fullest extent of the law, and working to end the scourge of anti-Semitism throughout our institutions, especially on college campuses.  As President, I will never stop fighting to protect our birthright of religious freedom — a sacred right that continues to guide our Nation, drawing us closer to the Almighty each and every day.

Throughout this historic year, we rejoice in the triumph of the American spirit and rededicate ourselves to the cause of liberty and justice for all.  In special honor of 250 glorious years of American independence and on the weekend of Rededicate 250 — a national jubilee of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving — Jewish Americans are encouraged to observe a national Sabbath.  From sundown on May 15 to nightfall on May 16, friends, families, and communities of all backgrounds may come together in gratitude for our great Nation.  This day will recognize the sacred Jewish tradition of setting aside time for rest, reflection, and gratitude to the Almighty.  

This month, we celebrate the contributions that Jewish Americans have made to our way of life, we honor their role in shaping the story of our Nation, and we remember that religious devotion, learning, and service to others are enduring pillars of a thriving culture.  Through every trial and triumph, thecontributions of Jewish Americans have shaped our past, havestrengthened our communities, and will continue to inspire American greatness for generations to come.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Month.I call upon Americans to celebrate the heritage and contributions of Jewish Americans and to observe this month with appropriate programs, activities, and ceremonies.  I further call on all Americans to celebrate their faith and freedom throughout this year, during this month, and especially on Shabbat to celebrate our 250th year.  

​IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.

​​​​​​DONALD J. TRUMP

Jewish American Heritage Month, 2026 — PILLARS