Each May, the United States celebrates Jewish American Heritage Month. Jewish American writers, musicians, and entertainers have had a profound impact on American arts and culture, especially in the 20th century. Learn about some of these influential figures with the books and videos below.
Picture Books
Written by Norman H. Finkelstein, illustrated by Vesper Stamper, and published by Holiday House
Who would you turn to if you wanted to know how to set the table? Or to learn about the importance of voting? Or for help finding a lost relative? For Eastern European Jewish immigrants to America at the turn of the century, the answer was Abraham Cahan, the publisher of The Forward, the largest Yiddish-language newspaper in America.
Written by Linda Glaser, illustrated by Claire A. Nivola, and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Emma Lazarus was raised in a wealthy Jewish American family in 1880s New York City, where she was moved by the plight of immigrants. As a young woman, asked to write a poem to raise money for a pedestal for the proposed Statue of Liberty, she composed “The New Colossus” and so became the voice of the Statue of Liberty. This is the story of the difference she made in her world.
Written by Anna Harwell Celenza, illustrated by Joann E. Kitchel, and published by Charlesbridge Publishing
George Gershwin, an up-and-coming composer, finds himself in a pickle — he has only a few weeks to write an entire concerto! At first he panics, but then realizes that all the inspiration he needs is in the great melting pot of immigrant America. Learn more about the Gershwin brothers in the Afternoons With Mimi episode “Kiddo Learns a New (Old) Song.”
Written by Julie Carpenter, illustrated by Laura Catalán, and published by Green Bean Books
The master of magic and escape got his start trying to walk a tightrope. It took the young Harry Houdini more than a few tries (and falls) to learn how to stay up there. This fun foldout book is full of exciting information about Houdini’s life and greatest tricks.
Written by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Lou Fancher & Steve Johnson, and published by Penguin Random House
When Ezra Jack Keats was growing up, he knew what it was like to feel different and left out. So when he created his famous picture book A Snowy Day, he had an idea about how to write and draw his main character, Peter.
Middle Grade Books
Written by Susan Goldman Rubin and published by Charlesbridge Publishing
What do you do if you love music, but your father disapproves? If you’re Leonard Bernstein, you do whatever it takes to prove him wrong. This is the inspiring biography of a young man who held onto his dreams — and became a star.
Written by Geoff Edgers and published by Penguin Random House
Stanley Leiber was a poor kid who loved to write. Read how a lucky break helped him go from rags to riches as “Mr. Marvel” Stan Lee, creator of Spider-Man, Iron Man, and more.
Written by Stephanie Spinner and published by Penguin Random House
Have you ever seen E.T., An American Tail, or The BFG? Steven Spielberg helped to make all of these films and other hits. Read the fascinating story of how Steven Spielberg got started and became one of the most famous directors of all time! View the Parent Guide for this PJ Our Way selection.
Videos
Get a short introduction to these Jewish influential artists and figures with PJ Library’s Jewish Heroes playlist on YouTube.
Barbra Streisand
Louise Gluck
Iris Apfel
Julius Lester
Shari Lewis
More
7 Books About Incredible Jewish Women
Learn About Jewish American Comedy with Kiddo and Mimi (podcast episode)
A List of Books Perfect to Read During Jewish American Heritage and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Books About Inspiring Jewish Heroes
May 14, 2026