More Than Just Flowers: Unpacking May Celebrations
The month of May is full of occasions recognized through celebration or commemoration, starting with May Day on May 1. I have a vague recollection of celebrating May Day as a kid at school but cannot recall why! According to Wikipedia, May Day is a European festival of ancient origins marking the beginning of summer, about halfway between the Northern Hemisphere’s Spring equinox and June solstice. Traditions include creating flower garlands, dancing around a Maypole (which I absolutely remember doing!), singing and bonfires. Did you know that May Day’s origin is with the Roman holiday Floralia celebrating the goddess of flowers. It’s no wonder why we hope April showers will bring May flowers!
On the second Sunday of May we celebrate Mother’s Day, honoring mothers and grandmothers and all they do for their children, families, and the community. It is usually a day for moms to feel pampered and special. Many receive flowers or flowering plants as gifts of appreciation. For me, being with family is wonderful, but not having to cook or clean-up is the best Mother’s Day gift ever!
When we think of May, we often think of college graduations and weddings. It turns out that May is the 4th most popular month to get married, after September, October and June. The temperate weather and beautiful blooms are two big factors for May’s popularity. Venues are often at their prettiest with flowers in bloom. Speaking of venues…if you have never been to Hillwood Estate in Washington, DC, consider coming with the J in May to see the exquisite mansion and breathtaking gardens.
Of course, the fourth Monday of the month is Memorial Day, a federal holiday that was created to honor and mourn those who lost their lives while serving in the United States military. It is often commemorated with wreath-laying at monuments and cemeteries, as well as parades. As the unofficial start of summer. Memorial Day with its three-day weekend, is when pools and beaches open for the season and many stores have big sales.
But did you know that May has been designated Jewish American Heritage Month or JAHM? Created in 2006 under President George W. Bush as a time to celebrate and learn about the contributions of Jewish Americans to American culture and society, it continues annually by Presidential Proclamation. As a result, JAHM is marked by events, educational initiatives, and public acknowledgements – to showcase the rich history and diverse experiences of Jewish Americans for more than 350 years.
Locally, you can visit the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington D.C. | Official Site where you can learn about the history of our local Jewish community, and view photos and memorabilia. The museum has educational resources for teachers to talk about JAHM, too, and will have a new exhibit opening on May 16: LGBTJews in the Federal City. The J has taken several trips to CJM to view the permanent exhibits and special exhibits and our participants have enjoyed each one!
If you care to take a road trip to Philadelphia, you may want to explore the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History the organizer of JAHM and a fabulous museum.
JAHM encourages all Americans to learn about Jewish culture, history, and contemporary issues, fostering dialogue and promoting inclusivity and understanding within the broader American context. I hope you have an opportunity to participate in a JAHM event.
Finally, May is known as “Older Americans Month.” It’s a time to recognize the contributions of older adults, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm commitments to serving them. This year’s theme is “Flip the Script on Aging” prompting us to examine how we think, feel, and talk about aging both individually and as a society. If you are an ‘older adult’ and not receiving the monthly Golden Gazette newsletter from Fairfax County, consider signing up for it here: FairfaxCounty.gov/OlderAdults to be in the know!
I also encourage you to attend one or more of the following Pozez JCC adult programs taking place in May. We have a variety of programs for adults of all ages and stages, featuring relevant and interesting subject matter ranging from resources for seniors and weight loss to mansion and garden tours to Jewish film, music and cooking. As I always say, there is something for everyone at the J. Hope to see you here in May!
JCC Adult Program Calendar for May
May 7 @ 1pm-2pm – WISE Connect Demo Event – Pozez JCC
May 15-18* – JxJ 2025 – Pozez JCC (7 Jewish &/or Israeli films in Northern Virginia)
May 21 – Springtime Trip to Hillwood Estate – Pozez JCC
May 22 @ 6pm-8pm – Cooking Jewish, with Israeli Chef Nissimmi Naim Naor – Pozez JCC
May 30 @ noon-1pm – Needles & Nutrition: Demystifying GLP-1s & the Truth About Weight Loss – Pozez JCC
*The film” Charles Grodin: Rebel with a Cause” is a documentary about the contributions of Jewish American actor, comedian, author and activist Charles Grodin. The film will be screened at Cinema Arts Theatre on Sunday, May 18 at 2pm and will be followed by a conversation between the film director James L. Freedman and Pozez JCC Executive Director Jeff Dannick. Don’t miss it!
