Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) Calendar of Events
Learn about UC San Diego's Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM), celebrated nationally from May 1 through May 30.
All students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to participate in events centered around this year's theme, “לְדוֹר וָדוֹר / L'dor v'dor (From Generation to Generation): Celebrating Generations of Jewish Life in San Diego.” In addition to honoring the many contributions and diversity of the Jewish community in the United States, this year’s theme celebrates generations of Jewish life in San Diego and the vast contributions and experiences within our local communities. Through L’dor v’dor, a core value (middah) of the Jewish people, we hope to deepen mutual support and connection within and across UC San Diego.
For more information on any of the upcoming events on this page, please email jahm@ucsd.edu.
1ST ANNUAL JAHM STUDENT LAUNCH PARTY
May 1, 2026 | Time: 6:30-9:00 pm | Hillel of San Diego | Venue: Beverly and Joseph Glickman Hillel Center of San Diego
1st Annual JAHM Student Launch Friday Night Party and Shabbat Dinner
Free Entry. Registration required for non-students. Non-students must register at the door. All attendees must show identification or student ID to enter.
May 5 | LAG BA’OMER CELEBRATION
May 5, 2026 | Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm | Hillel of San Diego | Venue: Beverly and Joseph Glickman Hillel Center of San Diego
Lag BaOmer is a Jewish religious holiday celebrated on the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer, which occurs on the 18th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar.
Free Entry. Registration required for non-students. Non-students must register at the door. All attendees must show identification or student ID to enter.
May 7 | THE STAIRCASE OF JERUSALEM: A MYSTERY
May 7, 2026 | 4:00 PM | Seuss Room, Faculty Club
In the middle of Jerusalem is a staircase 60 feet high. Its steps are too small for a human foot, and it leads nowhere. It was a mystery that could be solved only at UCSD.
Combining archaeology, physics, and Bible scholarship, it revealed the setting of the woman who was the first writer of the Bible.
Guest Speaker: Richard Elliott Friedman
Richard Elliott Friedman is the founder of the Jewish Studies Program at UCSD. He is one of the premier Bible scholars in the country. He is the Davis Professor of Jewish Studies Emeritus of the University of Georgia and Katzin Professor of Jewish Civilization Emeritus of UC San Diego.
He is the author of Commentary on the Torah, The Disappearance of God, The Hidden Book in the Bible, The Bible with Sources Revealed, The Bible Now, The Exile and Biblical Narrative, The Exodus, and the bestselling Who Wrote the Bible? His books have been translated into fourteen languages.
Free Entry | Up to 50 attendees
https://calendar.ucsd.edu/event/annual-katzin-lecture-the-staircase-of-jerusalem-a-mystery
May 8 | GRAD STUDENT SHABBAT
May 8, 2026 | Time: 7-9 PM | Venue: Beverly and Joseph Glickman Hillel Center of San Diego
Grad student Shabbat at UCSD is organized through Hillel of San Diego, offering specialized events for graduate and professional students, including Shabbat meals, holidays, and social opportunities.
Free Entry. Registration required for non-students. Non-students must register at the door. All attendees must show identification or student ID to enter.
PEACE IN ISRAEL WEEK
May 11-14, 2026
- Monday: Sababa Fair (Library Walk)
- Jewish Org Fair (Library Walk)
- Tuesday: Sun God Carnival (Sun God Lawn)
- Wednesday: Art Therapy (Beverly and Joseph Glickman Hillel Center)
- Thursday: Night Market / Shuk
Peace in Israel Week at UC San Diego (typically held in May) is a student-led initiative featuring cultural, educational, and social events, including the Sun God Carnival and Sababa Fair.
May 12 | AN EVENING WITH ALEX EDELMAN
May 12, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Mandeville Auditorium
Comedian Performer: Alex Edelman (Tony and Emmy award winner)
Cost: $15 (students) up to $100 per person, pricing varies by seat
Tickets/registration required - on sale now: https://sdjfest.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F39538
May 18 | JEWISH LANGUAGES EVENT
May 18, 2026 | 4-6 PM | Warren Room, Price Center
Join us for “An Exploration of Jewish Languages” on May 18 from 4–6 pm, an engaging program that traces the rich geographic and cultural journeys of Jewish communities through language. The event will highlight Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, Judeao-Aramaic, Arabic, Persian, and more. Through brief talks, music, and film clips, each presenter will explore the history, evolution, and contemporary use of these languages across the Jewish diaspora. The program will conclude with a Q&A, offering attendees the opportunity to engage more deeply with this vibrant linguistic and cultural landscape.
Free Entry, Registration Required
May 21 | SHAVUOT PICNIC
May 21, 2026 | 12pm – 3pm | Sun God Lawn
Shavuot is an ideal time for a picnic, celebrating the spring harvest (Chag HaKatzir) and the giving of the Torah with fresh, dairy-focused foods.
Picnic menu items include cheesecake and blintzes, reflecting the tradition of eating dairy. Served on the Sun God Lawn
May 22 | JEWISH MUSIC EVENT | HAPPY HOUR AND JAM SESSION
May 22, 2026 | 4pm – 6pm | the Bella Lounge (2880 Torrey Pines Scenic Dr La Jolla, CA 92037)
A night of music, food, and drinks! Bring your instrument and your dancing feet and come jam with us!
May 27 | 2nd Annual Jewish American Heritage Month Celebration Dinner | Reserved Your Table Today!
2nd Annual UC San Diego Jewish American Heritage Month Celebration Dinner
Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Venue: Price Center West Ballroom, 2nd Floor
Reserved your table today! For additional ticket information, please contact JAHM@ucsd.edu.
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