In May, BUSD celebrates Jewish American Heritage Month, lifting up and honoring the contributions of Jewish Americans in our school community, our extended communities, and our country.
May 6, 2026
As we enter the month of May, we are excited to begin our fifth annual celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month. This is a special time for our schools and community to recognize and honor the rich history, culture, resilience, and contributions of Jewish Americans and the many ways they have helped shape our collective lives.
One of our district’s greatest strengths is the diversity of our community. Just like any vibrant community, there is no single way to be Jewish. Across BUSD, our students, staff, and families reflect a beautiful spectrum of Jewish identities, traditions, experiences, and connections. Here in the Bay Area, we are especially proud of the long history of Jewish activism, advocacy, spirituality, and community care, often grounded in the principle of Tikkun Olam — the commitment to helping heal and repair the world. Whether through family heritage, faith, culture, secular identity, or marriage, we celebrate and honor every member of our diverse Jewish community.
As we celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month, we also remain grounded in our values as a district and community. Our Board of Education has spoken clearly in denouncing antisemitism and all forms of hate, bias, and discrimination. As Superintendent, I want to reaffirm that BUSD strives to be a place where Jewish students, staff, and families feel seen, respected, valued, and safe. We also remain committed to ensuring our classrooms and curriculum reflect the richness, diversity, and depth of Jewish histories, identities, and experiences.
We hope you will join us as we celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month and honor the many contributions, voices, and experiences that continue to enrich our BUSD community.
In unity and שָׁלוֹם (Shalom),
Enikia Ford Morthel
Superintendent
Events
![An informational poster with a vintage look for a 'Jewish Arts & Bookfest.' The upper third of the image contains the event title with a vintage typewriter on the right. In the center, text reads: MAGNES [in a box with a rounded letter ‘M’ logo] JEWISH [in large dark blue serif letters], Arts & [in small red serif letters], and Bookfest [in large red script letters, like a handwritten signature]. To the right of the red script is a photograph of a black vintage typewriter with text that reads 'Underwood' on the top. Below the event title and typewriter, small text reads: CELEBRATING Jewish American Heritage Month. This is followed by larger text details: Sunday, May 3, 2026, 11 am – 4 pm, Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley near Downtown Berkeley BART. Above all this text is a band of decorative floral illustrations on a dark background. Below the main details, a horizontal red bar with text in white capital letters reads: FAMILY-FRIENDLY SERIES [next to a column of text] Presented in partnership with JCC EastBay and laba BAY AREA. The bottom half of the image is a grid of three rectangular sections with photographs and text. From left to right: First section: A photograph of a woman with long dark hair. To the right of her picture, a vertical blue bar has text in white capital letters that reads: MAKE JEWISH PAPERCUT ART. Small dark blue text at the bottom says: Family-friendly art with laba BAY AREA. Middle section: A photograph of a woman with dark hair and a pattern shirt. Below her picture, a horizontal blue bar has text in white capital letters that reads: FAMILY STORYTELLING MAKE A BOOK ABOUT IT! Small dark blue text at the bottom says: Family-friendly art with Olamim. Third section: A photograph of a woman with curly grey hair in a pink shirt. To the left of her picture, a vertical blue bar has text in white capital letters that reads: MORE THAN JUST A FACE MAKING PORTRAITS WITH PHOTOGRAPHER HILLARY GOIDELL. Small dark blue text at the bottom says: Family-friendly art with laba BAY AREA. Below the three picture panels, a final footer bar on a red background. From left to right: A section with a title: TICKETS. Text details with prices: On Sale NOW!, $5 Kids, Students, Museums for All, $40 Adults. Text with a promo code: Promo code EarlyB5 for $5 off. A section with a QR code and small text below that reads: @jewishartsbookfest @themagnes magnes.berkeley.edu/jewishartsbookfest. Below the red bar is a line of partner logos in dark blue. From left to right: UC Berkeley, [A lowercase ‘j’ with a dot], THE JEWISH NEWS of Northern California, JCCEastBay, New Lehrhaus, Jewish Community Library, [An ‘M’ shape inside a box with the word ‘MAGNES’ below it].](http://www.berkeleyschools.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/26JewishArtsBookfest_Flyer_Family-Friendly-Series-1-791x1024.png)
Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month at the Magnes!
Join us for the Jewish Arts & Bookfest on Sunday, May 3, 2026, from 11 am to 4 pm at the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life in Berkeley. This vibrant “Family-Friendly Series” offers a day of creativity and connection through hands-on art and storytelling.
Event Highlights:
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Jewish Papercut Art: Learn the delicate craft of papercutting with laba BAY AREA.
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Family Storytelling: “Make a book about it!” and explore your narrative with Olamim.
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Portrait Making: Participate in “More Than Just a Face,” a portrait-making workshop with photographer Hillary Goidell.
Tickets & Info:
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Kids, Students, & Museums for All: $5
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Adults: $40
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Special Offer: Use promo code EarlyB5 to save $5!
Located at 2121 Allston Way, just steps from Downtown Berkeley BART, this is the perfect way to spend a Sunday immersed in culture and community.
Reading Lists
These reading lists, organized by grade level, represent recently published books that celebrate Jewish-American heritage, affirm identity, and promote cultural awareness. Sharing these books is one part of our effort to develop a diverse consciousness with and for our youth and ensure they know they are not alone, and that they can speak out to help stop the spread of bigotry
Click on each book to access the associated list.
Educator Resources
This TK-8 Teaching Guide was compiled by BUSD’s Equity, Achievement, and Belonging Department and BUSD Jewish community members.
“We denounce the rise in antisemitic rhetoric against Jewish people and are committed to teaching about the history of antisemitism and the Holocaust.” – Superintendent Ford Morthel
Here are some examples about how these topics are taught in Berkeley Unified Schools
Elementary School
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- Many teachers incorporate read alouds that affirm Jewish American identities and that uplift Jewish holidays; many teachers also invite Jewish family members to share about family traditions with their classes each year
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4th grade Historical Fiction Book Clubs Unit is taught in late spring and the book is Number the Stars– through this book, teachers teach about the Holocaust
Middle School
- 6th grade– included in a history unit about world religions, that includes learning about Judaism and Jewish beliefs and traditions.
High School
- WWII and the Holocaust is taught in 10th grade World History
Ethnic Studies also naturally invites students to be their whole selves in the classroom and for all aspects of their identities to be valued and supported, so there are many opportunities for Jewish students to share about their culture(s), traditions, and ancestral connections to Judaism throughout their time in BUSD.
Family Guides
Lifting Up BUSD Staff Jewish American Voices – May 2025
In celebration of our Jewish American community, BUSD has introduced “Lifting Up Jewish American Voices,” a campaign to share our Jewish American staff narratives with our students and community by creating posters featuring their stories and experiences. Later this month, these posters will be displayed around the district, on the BUSD website, in social media, and in district publications. Sharing these narratives with our students will allow them to deepen connections with Jewish American staff in BUSD.
Mr. B
Longfellow and Willard Middle School, Berkeley High School
Substitutute Teacher
Mollie Blustein
Cragmont Elementary School
4th Grade Teacher
Forest Borie
Longfellow Middle School
World History Teacher
Kate Rosen
Berkeley High School
English Teacher
Jessica Stern
Ruth Acty Elementary School
3rd Grade Teacher
Ezra Barany
Berkeley High School
Physics Teacher
Miriam Klein Stahl
Berkeley High School
Art Teacher
Nick Wortham
Berkeley High School
School Counselor
