As we near the end of Jewish American Heritage Month, I’d like to share with you a variety of books about the Jewish American experience. The books cover many genres and subjects.

The Lampert Library’s collection has many fine books about Jews and the Jewish experience in the United States, going back to New Amsterdam, where Jews insisted that they be included in the civic responsibilities of the community.

In addition, Jews fought in every war that the US was involved in, serving at a much higher rate than their percentage of the population.

So, come into the library, search the catalog for United States, or browse the 970 section for history.

For those interested in women in the United States, the Jewish Women’s Archive is invaluable (www.jwa.org). For more general information, the American Jewish Historical Society (www.ajhs.org) and the American Jewish Archives (www.americanjewisharchives.org) have extensive resources.

Books marked J are for younger readers, but many books for younger readers include more detailed and sophisticated background material. In my opinion, books for kids are for all of us, especially if the topic is new to the reader. And who doesn’t like a good picture? A picture is worth a thousand words.

Here’s a baker’s dozen (plus one) of books to tempt you.

How Yiddish Changed America and How America Changed Yiddish. NF

Arad, Maya. The Hebrew Teacher: Three Novellas. Three Israeli women living in the US navigate a culture that challenges them. FICTION

Benson, Michael. Gangsters vs. Nazis: How Jewish Mobsters Battled Nazis in Wartime. NF

Clarren, Rebecca. The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota, and an American Inheritance. The author’s immigrant ancestors were homesteaders on formerly Native lands. NF

Koffsky, Ann. The Peddler and the President. The dramatic story of how President Truman was persuaded to support the recognition of the State of Israel. J

Kreitner, Richard. Fear No Pharaoh: American Jews, the Civil War, and the Fight to End Slavery. Should Jews support slavery and own slaves? This book looks at the question through the lives of six 19th-century immigrants. NF

Lamb, Sacha. When the Angels Left the Old Country. A folklorish take on the standard immigrant tale with a demon and an angel as protagonists and the power of friendship as a major theme. FIC

Leifer, Joshua. Tablets Shattered: The End of an American Jewish Century and the Future of Jewish Life. A strong critique of modern American Jewish life whose 20th-century “pillars” of Americanism, Zionism, and liberalism are toppling. NF 

McBride. The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. A history-mystery about a Pennsylvania neighborhood where poor Blacks and immigrant Jews lived. But it’s more than a who-dun-it. This is a story of community and friendship beautifully written by McBride. FICTION

Rose, Lisa. The Singer and the Scientist. In 1937, contralto Marian Anderson had no place to stay after a concert in Princeton,  NJ, because she was Black. Famed physicist Albert  Einstein stepped in and offered her a place to sleep in his home. They shared music and the experience of being outsiders in American society. J

Sharkan, Danielle. Sharing Shalom. When Laila’s synagogue is vandalized, the greater community comes together to help. J

Shnayerson, Michael. Bugsy Siegel: the dark side of the American dream. Part of the acclaimed  Yale Jewish Lives biography series, tells the story of one of the 20th century’s most notorious gangsters who made Las Vegas what it is today. BIOGRAPHY

Yolen, Jane. Rebecca’s Prayer for President Lincoln. The community had gathered in the synagogue for Shabbat services when the rabbi interrupted the prayers and announced that President Lincoln had been assassinated. The congregation then spontaneously recited the Mourner’s Kaddish. A moving tale told through the eyes of a young girl. Based on a real incident. J