By Jewish Heritage Celebration Committee, May 19, 2026

The annual Jewish American Heritage Month celebration on Capitol Hill will be held in the month of May on 19, bringing together members of Congress, foreign ambassadors and leaders from across the civic, business and religious communities. The Congressional Honorary Host Committee includes US Senator Tim Scott, US Senator Jeff Merkley, US Senator Pete Rickett, US Representative Grace Meng.

During Jewish American Heritage Month, we honor the countless contributions of Jewish Americans throughout the United States 250 years of independence, and we celebrate their unwavering commitment to the values that make our country great.

President Trump, in his proclamation for May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Month, calls upon Americans to celebrate the heritage and contributions of Jewish Americans and to observe this month with appropriate programs, activities, and ceremonies. “I further call on all Americans to celebrate their faith and freedom throughout this year, during this month, and especially on Shabbat to celebrate our 250th year.”

The Capitol Hill event will honor Elliott Broidy, entrepreneur, public safety expert, and philanthropist, who will receive the Visionary Award during Jewish American Heritage Month on Capitol Hill for his leadership in national security, education, cultural philanthropy, and efforts to combat antisemitism, extremism, and intolerance.

Rabbi David Baron, spiritual leader of Temple of the Arts, will be receiving the Creativity in the Jewish Community Award for his contributions to Jewish cultural and religious life, Holocaust education, and public service through media, philanthropy, and international remembrance initiatives.

Dr. Harvey J. Alter will be presented the Dr. David Nassy Award in Medicine for his Nobel Prize-winning research leading to the discovery of hepatitis B and C viruses, breakthroughs that revolutionized blood safety and transformed the treatment of chronic liver disease.

“I am deeply moved to be recognized at the Capitol during Jewish American Heritage Month,” said Broidy. “Jewish Americans have helped build this country, and today, as antisemitism rises at an alarming rate, it is up to all of us to stand up to hate and advance the Judeo-Christian values on which America was founded.”

The event, organized by Project Legacy under the leadership of Ezra Friedlander, honors leaders whose lives and work reflect the enduring contributions of Jewish Americans to the fabric of this nation. Celebrating Jewish Heritage began in the early 1980s when Malcom Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman Emeritus of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, a prominent figure in American and world Jewry, accompanied by author Elie Wiesel, met with President Ronald Reagan in the White House to launch the National Jewish Heritage Week, which has since evolved into a month-long celebration accords the country.

Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz was the primary legislative leader behind the establishment of Jewish American Heritage Month. In 2006, she led a bipartisan congressional effort resulting in George W. Bush’s first presidential proclamation of May as Jewish American Heritage Month.

Once again, this year U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) introduced a bipartisan Jewish American Heritage Month Resolution to recognize the significant contributions of Jewish Americans to the society and culture of the United States.

Malcolm Hoenlein, along with Eric J. Gertler, Executive Chairman of U.S. News and World Report will chair this year’s event.

“Jewish American Heritage Month is a moment to reflect on where we’ve come from, to celebrate what we’ve built and to recommit ourselves to protecting our most meaningful values,” added honoree Mr. Elliott Broidy. “I’m proud to stand alongside my fellow honorees and to carry that message into the halls of Congress.”