Trump's Budget Proposal Threatens the National Endowment for the Humanities and Arts

In a sweeping reduction of federal arts and humanities funding, President Donald Trump's recent budget proposal includes the elimination of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This decision poses a significant challenge to the Jewish academic and literary communities in the United States, reliant on these agencies for critical support in preserving and promoting cultural heritage. The NEH played a crucial role in initiatives like the Wexler Oral History Project at the National Yiddish Book Center, which has gathered over 1,000 oral histories in various languages, showcasing the survival and evolution of Yiddish culture. The cancellation of grants, including those for translating and resurrecting the work of historically significant authors, highlights the potential erasure of vital narratives from history and undermines efforts to combat rising antisemitism. Scholars and cultural leaders express concern over the detrimental impacts these cuts will have on both cultural enrichment and education, reaffirming the necessity of federal support in ensuring access to the humanities for all. As we witness a wave of cuts affecting not just arts funding but social services and public health, the broader implications for a society that values cultural expression and diversity must be urgently considered.