In May, we join the celebrations across Canada for Jewish Heritage Month! In 2018, Jewish Heritage Month was established in Canada to acknowledge the significant contributions that Jewish Canadians have made throughout our country's history. Jewish communities have played an important role in Canada for over 250 years and were present in the early colonies of Upper and Lower Canada. The 2025 theme for Jewish Heritage Month is "Tikkun Olam" which is the Jewish practice of repairing the world and making it a better place.
Do you know why Jewish Heritage Month is in May? May holds special significance for the Jewish community because it often coincides with the holiday of Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks. This holiday celebrates the spring harvest and the gift of the Torah. Take time this May to learn more about Jewish culture, religion and heritage in Canada!
Kitchener Public Library Resources
Curated Reading Lists
We've put together a list of titles that highlight Jewish voices and stories in our collection. Check out our reading list for children and adults!
Virtual Library Resources
Enjoy digital library resources from the comfort of the couch! Check out these Virtual Library resources that you can access right now with your library card.
Kanopy is a streaming service where you can watch your favourite movies, T.V. shows and more! We recommend these titles for Jewish Heritage Month:
- "Ida" was the winner of Best Foreign Language Film at the 2014 Academy Awards. Set in the 1960s, it tells the story of a novitiate nun who learns of her Jewish heritage and encounters the haunting legacy of the Holocaust.
- "Keep the Change" is a romantic comedy that follows the unlikely love story of two people who meet in a support group at a Jewish community centre.
- "The Producers" is a 1967 classic that was directed by Mel Brooks. It follows a stage-play producer who devises a plan to make money by producing the biggest flop of all time.
- "Shiva Baby" is a dark comedy about a college student who attends a shiva with her parents where she has an awkward encounter with her sugar daddy and ex-girlfriend.
You can also explore the National Film Board's curated collection of films for Canadian Jewish Heritage Month.
Community Resources
- Beth Jacob Congregation of Kitchener-Waterloo
- Hillel Waterloo and Laurier
- The Rohr Chabad Centre for Jewish Life
- Temple Shalom
- Waterloo Region Jewish Community Council
We hope these resources help you learn more about Jewish heritage this month!