May is a busy month filled with a number of notable holidays and events. Each May, people honor mothers, graduates, veterans who lost their lives in war, and those of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage. This month also is an opportunity to recognize the contributions Jewish people have made to the United States and abroad.
Jewish Americans from all walks of life have made notable contributions to culture, science, sports, and much more. Share America says only 2 percent of the U.S. population is comprised of Jewish Americans by religion or heritage, but their contributions outsize their numbers.
The following are a handful of notable Jewish Americans who have changed the country and the world.
• Leonard Bernstein: Bernstein was born to Russian Jewish/Ukrainian Jewish parents in Massachusetts. He was an American conductor, composer, pianist, and music educator. He is considered one of the most important conductors of his time.
• Albert Einstein: Einstein came from a German Jewish family, and became famous for his impressive mind and influential scientific discoveries. He is credited for the creation of Quantum Theory, Theory of Relativity and Unified Field Theory. Einstein left Germany at a time of political upheaval and later settled in Princeton, New Jersey, where he would remain until his death in 1955.
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Ginsburg was a renowned attorney and law professor who was born in Brooklyn. She co-founded the Women’s Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union. In 1993, Ginsburg was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton, becoming the first Jewish woman Justice.
• Theo Epstein: Epstein is a Yale-educated attorney who became the youngest general manager of a Major League Baseball team when he was appointed to that role by the Boston Red Sox in 2002 at age 28. Epstein built the team that led the franchise to its first World Series title in 86 years. Epstein eventually left the Red Sox to become president of the Chicago Cubs, who he helped win its first World Series title in 108 years.
• Judy Blume: Blue was born in Elizabeth, NJ and became a beloved author of children’s and young adult literature that tackled topics that weren’t typically seen in youth literature at the time. Her books continue to bridge generations.
• Stan Lee: Lee was a Jewish American comic book writer and publisher. He was president and chairman of Marvel Comics, helping to create the iconic Marvel characters like The Hulk and Iron Man that are still popular today. Lee received many awards, including the National Medal of Arts.
• Stephen Sondheim: Born in New York City, Sondheim wrote lyrics and music for beloved musicals. His songs have been covered by many musicians, including Frank Sinatra and Barbara Streisand. He has theaters named after him both in New York and London.
• Steven Spielberg: Born in Ohio, Spielberg is one of the most commercially successful film directors in Hollywood history. Seven of his films have been selected for inclusion in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. “Jaws,” “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Jurassic Park,” and “Saving Private Ryan” are some of his iconic films.
Jewish Americans have had an enormous impact on life in the United States and throughout the world.