Welcome to Celebrating Diversity, a library newsletter series showcasing books and resources that tell the stories of the many cultural and ethnic groups that call Queens home. Whether you are preparing an academic assignment or looking for your next great read, we hope you find inspiration in the history and culture of our colleagues, friends, and neighbors in “.”

May is both  and . Professors  and , our expert subject librarians in these areas, are kicking off this series with featured ebooks and other resources from their Research Guides.

Access to ebooks and most other featured resources requires a valid QCard: please  if you have any issues logging in.

Asian/Pacific American and Jewish American Heritage Month

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month was first declared in 1978. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants ().

Jewish American Heritage Month’s history is more recent, as it was .

Two ebooks examine the intersections of Asian American and Jewish American experiences and are highly recommended:

Asian/pacific American heritage Resources

Professor Xu’s has a comprehensive array of ebooks and websites. Here are some highlights:

Featured Websites

 this guide, produced by the National Park Service, Library of Congress, and other federal partners, has extensive history and heritage information, and a special portal for educators.

 San Francisco’s official celebration site lets you virtually explore Asian food, literature, films, museums, and performances.

Featured ebooks

ISBN: 9780691168029
Publication Date: 2015-12-29

The Color of Success tells of the astonishing transformation of Asians in the United States from the “yellow peril” to “model minorities”–peoples distinct from the white majority but lauded as well-assimilated, upwardly mobile, and exemplars of traditional family values–in the middle decades of the twentieth century

ISBN: 9781593326203
Publication Date: 2013-12-01

Salam examines how second generation South Asian Americans assimilate by analyzing their family experiences, their structural circumstances and their adult life choice through the lens of arranged marriage.

ISBN: 9780295995113
Publication Date: 2015-09-01

This collection of sixteen stories brings the work of a distinguished Filipino writer to an American audience.

Jewish American heritage Resources

Research Services Librarian , liaison for Jewish Studies, presents highlights from the .

Featured E-Resources and Websites

 leads one to extensive information related to Jewish Americans.

 includes much more than just reviews. It also offers articles about “religion, literature, culture, and politics, as well as fiction, poetry, and the arts.”

 is another great resource-you will find articles published in journals and newspapers including  American Jewish History, Jerusalem Post, Jewish Chronicle, and Jewish Film & New Media.

Featured ebooks

ISBN: 9781611685091
Publication Date: 2014-11-04

Recommended for an overview of the American Jewish historical experience, and for students looking for primary source materials.

ISBN: 9780231176705
Publication Date: 2016-03-08

Explore the historic role of American Jews in the entertainment industry. An excellent source for students interested in performing arts, New York City history, and the evolution of theater.

ISBN: 9780827613027
Publication Date: 2019-03-01

A humorous romp through Jewish American culture and history, organized into chapters like “Worrying,” “Kvelling,” “Dying,” and “Noshing.”