A Jewish George Washington Story for Independence Day

For many years, I had a tradition of sharing a document of great American Jewish historical significance on the Shabbat that either preceded or followed July 4. It has been several years.  For my Shabbat message to the community, I wanted to share with you among the most beloved documents American Jewish history, George Washington's Letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island.  As you read to it, please consider the audience to which it was directed, and what its message of liberty meant to the small Jewish community in the USA in the post-revolutionary war era, a community likely numbering less than 5000 members.  

Who were the first American Jews? They were Sephardic Jews whose ancestors were forced from Spain during the Inquisition, only to flee their new homes in Brazil when Spain wrested control of Dutch colonies in the New World in the middle of the 17th century and brought the Inquisition to South America. They fled to the United States, seeking religious freedom, economic opportunity, and a safe home.  And they were followed by millions of Jews who have arrived during the 248 years of our nation’s existence. 

George Washington, our nation’s first president, visited Newport, Rhode Island in August 1790, and was welcomed by many city leaders, among them Rabbi Moses Sexias, the warden of the Newport Hebrew Synagogue, (now known as the Touro Synagogue). Rabbi Sexias lauded George Washington for his commitment to religious freedom.  The following was President Washington’s reply.

Letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island

August 18, 1790

Gentlemen.

While I receive, with much satisfaction, your Address replete with expressions of affection and esteem; I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you, that I shall always retain a grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced in my visit to Newport, from all classes of Citizens.

The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the more sweet, from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security. If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good Government, to become a great and a happy people.

The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.

It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my Administration, and fervent wishes for my felicity. May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.

Go. Washington

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