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More than 300 U.S. municipalities officially proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) in 2026, with the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) actively promoting JAHM recognitions and celebrations in cities across the country.
In partnership with CAM, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller sent a letter to fellow city leaders in the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) earlier this year, urging them to initiate and participate in JAHM activities, and a total of 223 USCM members answered the call by the end of May.
CAM Chief Government Affairs Officer Lisa Katz stated, “Jewish American Heritage Month is not just a page on a calendar. It is a reflection of the values a community chooses to live by. This year, hundreds of mayors across the country declared it, hosted events, and made clear that Jewish history, culture, and belonging are worth celebrating. When a mayor stands up and says Jewish Americans are a vital part of their community, it resonates far beyond a proclamation. It tells every resident that their city stands for shared history, mutual respect, and the bonds that hold us together.”
“CAM is proud to work alongside these leaders, and we look forward to building on this momentum together,” Katz — who leads CAM’s work with North American mayors and is a former town supervisor of New Castle (New York) — added.
Recognition of JAHM is a core element of CAM’s Municipal Antisemitism Action Index. CAM collaborates closely with mayors on a daily basis to secure and nurture Jewish life in cities throughout the U.S. and around the world.
CAM kicked off JAHM this year with a the “L’Chaim!” forum in Savannah, Georgia, drawing 50 mayors from all parts of the U.S.
Forum participants signed the Mayoral JAHM Commitment, a joint pledge to elevate Jewish heritage at the municipal level.
At the state level, CAM facilitated a joint statement issued by all 27 Republican state governors, via the Republican Governors Association (RGA), supporting JAHM and expressing solidarity with Israel.
In Des Moines on March 12, CAM hosted a JAHM reception, with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds as the guest of honor. The winners of Iowa’s JAHM Student Scholarship Contest were announced at the event.
The following week, CAM organized the JAHM Congressional Breakfast in Washington, D.C., where a bipartisan group of lawmakers gathered to mark JAHM and hear keynote remarks from Sam Salz, the first Orthodox Jew to play Division I college football.
CAM also led a JAHM student contest in San Diego, California, this year.
In 2006, Congress passed a bipartisan resolution urging the President to annually proclaim May as Jewish American Heritage Month, and encouraging state and local governments, along with the American public, to observe the month.
Shortly thereafter, President George W. Bush issued the first official presidential proclamation recognizing JAHM. This tradition has been upheld by every U.S. president from both parties ever since.
State, counties, and municipalities across the country have followed suit, issuing proclamations and hosting events highlighting the positive societal impact of Jewish Americans. In recent years, CAM has spearheaded a country-wide initiative to expand this recognition, working closely with elected officials to encourage meaningful local observance of JAHM.
The growing momentum reflects a shared commitment — from the White House to City Halls around the country — to celebrate Jewish heritage, confront rising antisemitism, and reaffirm the fundamental values that define American identity as the nation turns 250 this year.
Read more:
Lawmakers Convene for Bipartisan Celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month at US Capitol
