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.

Text reading Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month is set against a background of green, yellow and burgundy fan-like circles

Resources

The LUNAR Collective

LUNAR Video 1 The Taste of Connection

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"

reflection of a person in a puddle

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

Group of people wearing face mask protesting and giving slogans in a rally. Group of demonstrators protesting in the city.

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

A wooden wall and doorway with the words "Room Number 3" above it.

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

Jewish Asian American Stories JBC

“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"

teaceremony alma posner

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"

indian-and-jewish alma

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

Handwritten-style text reads Food Wanderings, above drawings of pomegranates and figs

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"

autostraddle apia fish sauce

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"

apia_fasamoa-feature

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'"

bukharian silk

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

Jewish Food Society 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

Three women are dancing on a stage with curtains drawn, beneath a sign that reads 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"

api-lesbrarian-books

by Casey for Autostraddle

“Looking for clearly queer Asian and Pacific Islander women in fiction? Look no further.”

Be'chol Lashon: Uplifting Asian Jewish Voices

A plate with red envelopes, tangerines and a paper cutout of the word Shalom is resting on a table

Celebrating the stories and contributions of Asian Jews. Bechol Lashon highlights articles by and about Asian Jews that have appeared in their publication, Jewish&.

"A New Way and Flavor to Friday"

monita sun and husband

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.”

OneTable empowers people who don’t yet have a consistent Shabbat dinner practice to build one that feels authentic, sustainable, and valuable. The OneTable community is funded to support people (21-39ish), not in undergraduate studies, and without an existing weekly Shabbat practice, looking to find and share this powerful experience.

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