Canadian Jewish Heritage Month, held in May, is an ideal time to celebrate and share the diverse contributions that Jewish Canadians have made to society.
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What is Canadian Jewish Heritage Month, and why is it important?
Canadian Jewish Heritage Month is a month to discover and celebrate Jewish culture, the contributions of Jewish communities, and an opportunity to educate future generations about Jewish heritage and culture.
According to Statistics Canada, approximately 335,000 people in Canada identified as Jewish in 2021, making Canada the fourth-largest Jewish community in the world.
In 2018, the month of May was proclaimed Jewish Heritage Month in Canada, as a time to celebrate the contributions of Jewish Canadians across the country.
It is essential to acknowledge the diverse cultures within Canada, as they have all made significant contributions to the country’s growth. Canada is a country with diverse people from various backgrounds, and by celebrating their cultures and traditions, we can continue on our journey toward a more inclusive nation.
Why is Canadian Jewish Heritage Month in May?
Canadian Jewish Heritage Month is held in May as it is a significant month for Jewish Canadians. Often, the Jewish holiday Shavuot falls in May (in the Hebrew calendar month of Sivan, anywhere from mid-May to mid-June).
This two-day holiday commemorates the giving of the Torah (the Jewish holy teachings) at Mount Sinai. To mark the holiday, people may light candles, eat dairy foods, and stay up all night to study the Torah.
How To Use Jewish Heritage Picture Books in the Classroom
- Stations – Gather a few of the books mentioned in this blog post (or others you have in your collection) and have students rotate through each station, completing a graphic organizer about their learning. Here are some examples of graphic organizers – Set 1 or Set 2.
- Read Alouds – Incorporate these books into your read-aloud schedule, not just for May but throughout the year.
- Biography Study – Have students select an important and/or influential person to learn about. Then have them complete this Biography Symbolism Assignment to showcase their learning to the class. Students will read a biography, memoir, or autobiography and then create a life map that outlines the important events in the chosen person’s life. After creating their life map, students will provide both a written explanation and an oral presentation of their life map.
Books to Celebrate Canadian Jewish Heritage Month
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Anne Frank and her family are forced into hiding during the Nazi occupation of Holland. Anne keeps a diary, writing about her feelings and experiences during this time.
This compilation features true stories of six Holocaust survivors, along with pictures and updates for each contributor.
When We Flew Away by Alice Hoffman
Published in cooperation with the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, this book tells the story of Anne Frank and her family as they are forced into hiding.
Sitting Shiva by Erin Silver, illustrated by Michelle Theodore
This story explores grief and the ritual of Shiva, which is observed by the Jewish community during times of grief and bereavement.
In the usually quiet town where Michael, Link, and Dana live, a mystery is about to unfold. One morning, a swastika, a symbol of hate, is found on the wall of the school, but who put it there? The three band together to figure out the truth of who vandalized the school and why. If you teach Grade 6 Social Studies in Ontario, this book aligns with the Holocaust education requirements outlined in the 2023 curriculum expectations.
Shabbat Shalom: Let’s Rest and Reset by Suzy Ultman
This simple book, created for younger children, introduces students to the Jewish day of rest.
Jars of Hope: How One Woman Helped Save 2,500 Children During the Holocaust by Jennifer Rozines Roy
This is the story of Irena Sendler, a Polish woman who, with strength and courage, fought against the evils of World War II, rescuing 2,500 Jewish children in Poland from the Warsaw Ghetto, hoping to reunite them with their parents when the war was over.
P Is for Pastrami: The ABCs of Jewish Food by Alan Silberberg
This fun board book is an excellent resource for introducing students to the ABCs of traditional Jewish food and learning about the various food traditions within the Jewish community.
The author tells his father’s story of survival in a graphic novel format during the Holocaust.
Here Is the World: A Year of Jewish Holidays by Lesléa Newman
This picture book explores the various Jewish holidays celebrated throughout the calendar year, including Shabbat, Chanukah, and Rosh Hashanah. It explains the significance of each holiday and shares various traditions and rituals associated with each.
A story of how a twelve-year-old girl survived the Holocaust, as told by her niece.
Canadian Jewish Heritage Month Videos
- Celebrating Jewish Canadian History: The Story of Sammy Luftspring [ENG]
- Discovering how the Jewish community shaped Kensington Market
- NCJWC Toronto Jewish Heritage Month
Links to Learn More About Canadian Jewish Heritage Month
- Celebrating Jewish heritage in Canada – Shares links to podcasts, images, and blog posts about Jewish heritage.
- Jewish Heritage Month website – Includes links to resources, common terms and definitions, a list of influential Jewish Canadians, and more.
- Canadian Jewish Heritage Month – This National Film Board site includes films that celebrate Jewish heritage in Canada.
Additional Holiday Resources
This Article of the Week Non-Fiction Articles Holidays Bundle contains 14 non-fiction articles and post-reading activities to assist with reading comprehension and cross-curricular learning.
Resource Includes:
- 14 High-interest non-fiction articles
- 3 Post-reading activities per article
- 12 Graphic Organizers
Included For Every Article:
- Teacher lesson plan
- Pre-reading K-W-L chart
- Non-fiction article (Regular and Modified Levels)
- 3 Post-reading activities (comprehension questions, grammar & text structure multiple choice questions, long answer writing response)
- Print & Digital Formats (Google Slides and Google Forms)
Included Topics:
- Chinese New Year
- Lunar New Year
- Groundhog Day
- Valentine’s Day
- Daylight Saving
- St. Patrick’s Day
- April Fools’ Day
- Earth Day
- Ramadan
- Halloween
- Diwali
- Hanukkah
- Christmas
- Kwanzaa
You can purchase this Article of the Week Non-Fiction Articles Holidays Bundle on Shopify CAD and Teachers Pay Teachers USD.
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