UC SAN DIEGO

May 5, 2025

ALL ACADEMICS, STAFF, AND STUDENTS AT UC SAN DIEGO, INCLUDING UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH

This May, UC San Diego proudly celebrates its inaugural Jewish American Heritage Month — a federally-recognized observance honoring the profound contributions of Jewish Americans to the nation’s culture, history, science, arts, civil rights, labor movements, government, education and more.

All students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to participate in UC San Diego's Jewish American Heritage Month activities featuring numerous free programs centered on the theme “Kehillah” (community). In addition to honoring the many contributions and diversity of the Jewish community in the United States, Israel and the rest of the global diaspora, this year’s theme highlights the importance of coming together. With the theme of Kehillah, a core value of the Jewish people, we hope to deepen mutual support and connection within and across our greater shared community at UC San Diego.

Explore the Full Calendar of Events

This year’s inaugural month-long celebration will include Art, Music, Dance, Nova Tribute Dance Party, comedy show, multicultural Night Shuk with over 20 booths lining Library Walk with food and goods from all over the world, including Ethiopia, Iraq, Iran, France and many more. The diversity of the Shuk highlights the diversity of the Jewish world. The market will also have jewelry booths, candy from around the world, merchandise, aromatic coffee, a DJ and fun for all.

Key highlights of this year’s celebration include: world-renowned comedian Yohay Sponder, hosting a hilarious night: “Holy Land, Unholy Comedy!” on May 13t at 7 p.m. at Mandeville Auditorium and Yossi Klein Halevi, distinguished author of New York Times bestseller, Conversations with My Palestinian Neighbor, will lecture about his work in Israeli, Middle Eastern, and Jewish Affairs on May 14, at 7 p.m. in the Price Center Theater.

To view the month-long calendar of events, please visit the 2025 Jewish American Heritage Month Calendar of Events website.

Administrative Leave with Pay

In recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month, two hours of administrative leave with pay have been approved for employees to attend a UC San Diego Jewish American Heritage Month activity. Supervisors, upon request, may approve the use of such leave when the absence does not infringe upon the performance of required job duties or patient care.

Support and Volunteering

If you are interested in volunteering, donations or sponsorship for Jewish American Heritage Month events at UC San Diego please email the Jewish American Heritage Celebration Month planning committee at jahm@ucsd.edu.

Special Thanks

On behalf of the campus community, we extend our sincere appreciation to the members of the UC San Diego Jewish American Heritage Month planning committee for their dedication and hard work in coordinating these educational and celebratory campus activities. For more information about the newly formed Jewish Staff and Faculty Tritons Association, please email jsafta@ucsd.edu.

For more information on UC San Diego Heritage Months, visit this webpage.