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A central feature of this year’s observance is a planned national Sabbath, set to take place from sundown on May 15 through nightfall on May 16.
By United with Israel Staff
President Donald Trump on Monday proclaimed May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Month, honoring the contributions of Jewish Americans and calling on the public to celebrate their role in shaping the nation’s history.
In the proclamation, Trump highlighted what he described as the “countless contributions of Jewish Americans” over the country’s 250 years, pointing to their commitment to “faith, family, and freedom.”
He also invoked a historic message from George Washington, who in 1790 wrote to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, that the United States “gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.”
The proclamation placed a strong emphasis on combating antisemitism, with Trump stating that his administration is “aggressively fighting the violence against Jewish Americans” and working to counter antisemitism across institutions, particularly on college campuses. He pledged continued efforts to protect religious freedom, calling it a “sacred right” central to American identity.
A central feature of this year’s observance is a planned national Sabbath, set to take place from sundown on May 15 through nightfall on May 16, as part of broader events marking 250 years of American independence.
Trump encouraged Americans of all backgrounds to participate, describing it as a moment for “prayer, reflection, and thanksgiving” and a recognition of the Jewish tradition of setting aside time for rest and spiritual renewal.
The initiative, tied to the “Rededicate 250” celebrations, is intended to bring communities together in a shared expression of gratitude and faith.
The proclamation also referenced the longstanding role of Jewish Americans in the nation’s founding and development, including figures such as Haym Salomon, a financier of the American Revolution often credited with supporting the Continental Congress.
Jewish American Heritage Month traces its origins to 1980, when Congress first called for a Jewish Heritage Week, a request formalized by President Jimmy Carter. The observance was marked annually in the following decades, with presidents issuing proclamations recognizing Jewish contributions to American life.
In 2006, President George W. Bush expanded the observance to a full month, designating May as Jewish American Heritage Month following bipartisan congressional support. The timing was linked in part to the 350th anniversary of Jewish life in America, commemorating the arrival of Jewish refugees in New Amsterdam, now New York City, in 1654.
Since then, annual proclamations have been issued by successive administrations, recognizing the historical, cultural, and civic contributions of Jewish Americans and promoting awareness of religious pluralism and diversity.
Trump concluded his proclamation by calling on Americans to observe the month with “appropriate programs, activities, and ceremonies,” and to take part in the national Sabbath as a unifying moment of faith and gratitude during this milestone year.
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