Institute for Curriculum Services

Jewish Americans: Identity, History, and Experience Online Course

Welcome to "Jewish Americans: Identity, History, and Experience"

Course Structure

Course Completion Information

Getting Help

Important Terminology

Introduction to Jewish Americans: Pre-Test

Jewish Americans: Pre-Test

Introduction to Module 1: Why Teach About Jewish Americans?

Lesson 1.1: Is “Jew” a Bad Word?

Lesson 1.1: Introduction to Is "Jew" a Bad Word?

Lesson 1.1: Key Terms

Lesson 1.1: Is “Jew” or “Jews” an Appropriate Term?

Lesson 1.2: "Jewish Americans" or "American Jews"?

Lesson 1.2: Introduction to "Jewish Americans or American Jews?"

Lesson 1.2: Which Is It: “Jewish Americans” or “American Jews”?

Lesson 1.3: The Value of Learning About Jewish Americans

Lesson 1.3: Introduction to The Value of Learning About Jewish Americans

Lesson 1.3: The Value of Including Jewish Americans

Module 1: Knowledge Check

Module 1: Wrap Up

Introduction to Module 2: A Historical Overview of Jews in America

Lesson 2.1: The Three Major Waves of Jewish Immigration to America

Lesson 2.1: Introduction to The Three Major Waves of Jewish Immigration

Lesson 2.1: Key Terms

Lesson 2.1: The First Wave of Jewish Immigration to America

Lesson 2.1: The Second Wave of Jewish Immigration to America

Lesson 2.1: The Third Wave of Jewish Immigration to America

Lesson 2.2: The Racialization of American Jews

Lesson 2.2: Introduction to The Racialization of Jewish Americans

Lesson 2.2: Key Terms

Lesson 2.2: Developments in Science and the Pseudoscience of Race

Lesson 2.2: Social Darwinism and Race

Lesson 2.2: America’s Classification of the “Hebrew Race”

Lesson 2.2: The U.S. Johnson-Reed Immigration Act of 1924

Lesson 2.3: Jewish American Life in the Decades After the Holocaust

Lesson 2.3: Introduction to Jewish American Life in the Decades After the Holocaust

Lesson 2.3: Key Terms

Lesson 2.3: Impacts on Life for Jewish Americans

Lesson 2.3: Gradual Changes in the Perception of Jewish Americans in the Decades Following WWII

Lesson 2.3: Acculturation and Assimilation

Lesson 2.3: Jewish Americans in the Civil Rights Movement

Lesson 2.3: Jewish Americans in the Women's Rights Movement

Module 2: Knowledge Check

Module 2: Wrap Up

Introduction to Module 3: A Look at Jewish Americans Today

Lesson 3.1: Understanding the Religious Demographics of the Jewish American Community

Lesson 3.1: Introduction to Understanding the Religious Demographics of the Jewish-American Community

Lesson 3.1: Key Terms

Lesson 3.1: Population of Jewish Americans

Lesson 3.1: Jewish Americans who Identify by Religion

Lesson 3.1: Branches of Judaism in the United States

Lesson 3.1: The Complexity of Identity in the Jewish American Community

Lesson 3.2: Jews are a Distinct and Diverse Ethnic Group

Lesson 3.2: Introduction to Jewish Americans are a Distinct and Diverse Ethnic Group

Lesson 3.2: Key Terms

Lesson 3.2: What Makes Jewish Americans an Ethnic Group?

Lesson 3.2: How are Jewish Americans Diverse?

Lesson 3.2: Jews of Color, Jews by Choice, and Interfaith Families

Lesson 3.2: What Bonds Jewish Americans?

Lesson 3.3: Jewish Americans: Complicating Ideas of Race

Lesson 3.3: Introduction to Jewish Americans: Complicating Ideas of Race

Lesson 3.3: Key Terms

Lesson 3.3: Variables that Impact Jewish Americans' Experiences

Module 3: Knowledge Check

Module 3: Wrap Up

Introduction to Module 4: Jewish Americans’ Challenges and Triumphs

Lesson 4.1: Modern Antisemitism

Lesson 4.1: Introduction to Modern Antisemitism

Lesson 4.1: Key Terms

Lesson 4.1: Antisemitism Today

Lesson 4.1: What Antisemitism Looks Like in Schools

Lesson 4.2: Contributions of Jewish Americans

Lesson 4.2: Introduction to Contributions of Jewish Americans

Lesson 4.2: Jewish Americans in Music

Lesson 4.2: Jewish Americans in Politics/Law

Lesson 4.2: Jewish Americans in Science

Lesson 4.2: Jewish Americans in Fashion

Lesson 4.2: Jewish Americans in Literature/Poetry

Lesson 4.2: Jewish American Contributions Continue

Module 4: Knowledge Check

Module 4: Wrap Up