Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Resources
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month – sometimes Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) Month, sometimes Asian Pacific Islander (API) Month – and recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.
Here are articles, podcasts, videos, books, recipes, and more to enrich your Shabbat table this month and all year round.
Resources
The LUNAR Collective
The LUNAR Collective cultivates connection, belonging and visibility for Asian American Jews through intersectional community programming and authentic digital storytelling. Check out their incredible film series, articles, workshops, and gatherings — including OneTable Shabbat dinners nationwide.
"Asian Jews Deserve Better"
by Gen Xia Ye Slosberg, OneTable host, for Alma
“The Jewish community needs to have a more expansive view of who Asian American Jews are. We need to be fully seen, welcomed, and included in the fabric of American Jewry as fellow American Jews, plain and simple.”
Six Ways to be an Ally to the AAPI Community
By Evangeline Chan and Queenie Ng for Safe Horizons
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, racism and violence against the Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community has increased. Here are ways to help, show up and be an ally to the AAPI community.
Facing History at the Angel Island Immigration Station
by Bekkah Scharf, OneTable host, for Lilith
“Throughout history, the U.S. has changed its immigration laws to align with its political and economic interests. However, the racial othering of Asian Americans—and other forms of dehumanization necessary to enforce these laws—has remained constant.”
Jewish Asian American Stories
“Explore six thought-provoking reads that depict some of the many facets of the Jewish Asian American experience.”
"Finding Judaism Helped Me Connect to My Japanese Heritage"
by Kristin Eriko Posner for Alma
“Ever since I can remember, I have been searching for a sense of spiritual navigation.”
"Finding My Footing As An Indian Jew"
by Anna Rajagopal for Alma
“I converted to Judaism around age 11, coming from a multicultural household with both Christian and Hindu influences. Those two religions were always in my peripheral vision, but I had no direct religious affiliation myself.”
Shulie Madnick: Food Wanderings
Get delicious Indian Shabbat recipes and learn more about the Bene Israel community from Indian-Jewish chef, cooking instructor and writer Shulie Madnick.
"Lost and Found in the Fish Sauce: How I Cooked My Way Back Home"
by Sal Tran for Autostraddle
“Through my mother’s recipes, I’m reminded of the resilience that flows in our blood. Instead of disconnecting from my body to survive, I nurtured it. Like me, cooking is hella queer and fluid. Every time I reimagine a dish, it can taste different depending on my mood.”
Poem "The Price I Pay For(ever) My Culture"
by Terisa Siagatonu for Autostraddle
“Being a first-gen, Indigenous, queer, Samoan girl in diaspora almost cost me my Samoan culture. But one day, I’m going to be the queer Samoan elder who looks my grandchildren in their faces, and says: I was afraid the entire time that I was fighting for the world you deserve, but I did it anyway.”
"Central Asian Jews Create 'Queensistan'"
by Sandee Brawarsky for New York Times
“Although strictly speaking Bukhara is a city in Uzbekistan, the term Bukharan refers to all Central Asian Jews, whose history in the region is said to go back 2,500 years, to the period of the Babylonian exile.”
Recipe: A Fourth Generation Bukharian Plov
by Ruti Merom for Jewish Food Society
“The child of immigrants from Uzbekistan, Ruti lived with both of her grandmothers who were passionate cooks, faithfully preparing these dishes from their home country almost three thousand miles away.”
Shalom Bollywood
A celebration of the all-singing, all-dancing history of the world’s largest film industry, Shalom Bollywood reveals the story of the 2000 year old Indian Jewish community and its formative place in shaping the world’s largest film industry.
"8 Books Featuring Asian and Pacific Islander Queer Women"
by Casey for Autostraddle
“Looking for clearly queer Asian and Pacific Islander women in fiction? Look no further.”
"A New Way and Flavor to Friday"
by Monita Sun for OneTable
“When I first started to welcome Shabbat with my then boyfriend (now, husband) in Bangkok, we loved to build on traditional Shabbat food with some of our favorite Asian flavors. So, with the opportunity to host my first OneTable Shabbat, I knew that I had a new way to Friday.”
