JCPA, AFT, and Weitzman Museum Launch New Resource Hub to Support Educators Teaching Jewish History, Antisemitism, and Democracy

Today, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History announced the launch of a new resource page to equip educators around the nation with materials on Jewish history, the diversity of Jewish American experiences, antisemitism, and the complexity of Jewish identity in America. The rollout of these lesson plans coincides with the start of Jewish American Heritage Month to help augment educators’ engagement with these topics.

Hosted on AFT’s nationally-recognized Share My Lesson platform, the new resource page provides teachers with vetted lesson plans, primary sources, and multimedia content designed to support age-appropriate, accurate, and inclusive instruction. The materials draw on the Weitzman Museum’s free Stories that Shaped a Nation curriculum and its extensive archival and educational expertise, while reflecting AFT’s commitment to inclusive education and JCPA’s work on countering antisemitism and building democratic resilience. This launch is part of JCPA and AFT’s broader partnership, which includes programming and tools to educate teachers about antisemitism, build coalitions between local Jewish communities and local teachers unions, and bring communities together to counter hate and strengthen and protect public education and our democracy.

“At a moment of challenging and too-often-politicized conversations on antisemitism and Jewish identity, it’s essential to provide educators with trusted, high-quality tools and resources that strengthen – rather than divide – our classrooms and communities. JCPA and AFT’s partnership is about just that: advancing constructive, nuanced engagement aimed at understanding the Jewish community, countering antisemitism and hate, and advancing inclusive schools and our democratic values,” said Amy Spitalnick, JCPA CEO. “We’re proud that The Weitzman’s vital tools are now accessible to educators across the country through this partnership and look forward to continuing to work with educators and union leaders across the country.”

Today’s launch comes amid growing demand for classroom resources that help educators address antisemitism while supporting broader goals of civic education and inclusive, pluralistic democracy.

“AFT is proud to partner with the Weitzman Museum and JCPA to support educators with tools that are grounded in scholarship,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “These resources will help educators engage in the rich history of American Jewry while fostering inclusive learning environments — and this partnership will assist educators around the country in teaching about antisemitism, Jewish history, and the contributions of Jewish Americans to our society.”

“This collaboration brings The Weitzman’s mission of presenting educational programs and experiences that preserve, explore, and celebrate the history of Jews in America into classrooms across the country,” said Dan Tadmor, President and CEO of The Weitzman. “By making our educational materials accessible through Share My Lesson, we are helping educators tell the complete and nuanced story so we may connect Jews more closely to their heritage and inspire in people of all backgrounds a greater appreciation for the diversity of the American Jewish experience and the freedoms to which Americans aspire.”

Educators can access the new resource page on Share My Lesson here.