COMMENTARY: With 350 Years of History, Jews Celebrate Special Independence Day in America

c. 2005 Religion News Service (UNDATED) It was September of 1654, over a hundred years before the Declaration of Independence was signed. A small group of Jewish people on a small, tattered boat fleeing the Portuguese inquisition in Brazil, escaping pirates on the sea, arrived in New Amsterdam, which 10 years later became New York […]

c. 2005 Religion News Service

(UNDATED) It was September of 1654, over a hundred years before the Declaration of Independence was signed. A small group of Jewish people on a small, tattered boat fleeing the Portuguese inquisition in Brazil, escaping pirates on the sea, arrived in New Amsterdam, which 10 years later became New York City.

More than a century later, in 1790, George Washington wrote to the Jewish community in Newport, R.I., promising that the new nation would be one “which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.”


This year, we celebrate 350 years of Jewish life in America, a golden age in the history of the Jewish people. America has enfolded Jews into the wonderful, rich tapestry of American culture, making it possible for Jews to achieve and contribute to all facets of American society.

As fireworks are arranged and hot dog buns are selling out, I imagine somewhere in America, the family of American Judaism is meeting in a park for a grand, traditional Fourth of July barbecue. In the center of the tight galaxy of relatives and friends sits American Judaism herself on a white folding chair, with a tiny gold Star of David around her neck and a rhinestone American flag sparkling on her blouse. Her eyes are luminous, moist with tears, creases fanning from them like stems of a bouquet.

She sees her daughters Christianity and Islam sharing childhood memories together under a magnolia tree. She puts a hand over her heart and sighs. There have been centuries of pain between us, she thinks, when we were abroad, and I have very many wounds, but thanks to America, it has been a blessed era for us all.

Statue of Liberty calls for a toast. Liberty holds up her glass to the old matriarch and says, “To you …” Peeking out from under Liberty’s gauzy summer frock are the etched words of poet Emma Lazarus, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Emma is pouring lemonade.

Three energetic brothers, Law, Ethics and Morality, are tossing a Frisbee on the near field. Law exclaims good-naturedly, “Out of bounds! Out of bounds! Can I get a witness?”

Democracy and his twin sister, Pluralism, step forward in their matching colorful Hawaiian shirts. Raising his cup, Democracy quotes from Thomas Cahill’s “The Gift of the Jews,” saying that he grew “directly out of the Israelite vision of individuals, subjects of value because they are images of God, each with a unique and personal destiny.”

“You’re right,” Pluralism says to her brother so all can hear, “and I come from a uniquely American value where all ethnic and religious groups are welcome.”


Constitution bounds up and chimes in, again invoking Cahill’s words: “There is no way that it could have been `self-evident that all men are created equal’ without the intervention of the Jews.”

American Judaism blushes. She knows that while Jews have contributed to America, America has contributed to Jews, allowing them an unprecedented success story.

Labor Movement approaches American Judaism and says, “To you, for teaching me to see God’s image in all people.”

Civil Rights nods and adds, “Thank you for the Exodus, which showed me that every people has a right to be redeemed.”

Feminism, in chaps and riding boots, clinks glasses with Literature, Education and Environmentalism.

Time lifts his glass and says softly, “Thank you for the Sabbath, which marks the weeks and is the palace of my days.”

Finally American Judaism slowly rises out of her chair. Everyone hushes. Even Music sets down her bow.


She borrows a glass from Memory and says in a voice that comes from far away: “Not to me on this anniversary, my loves, but to America. To this beautiful country. May she achieve her loftiest and most sacred goals. To be a champion of justice, mercy and, above all, peace.”

All of her family and friends raise their glasses and chime: “To 350 years in the United States of America. God bless America.”

MO/PH END RNS

(Rabbi Zoe Klein serves Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles. Her poetry and liturgy are used in houses of prayer across the country.)

Editors: Search the RNS photo Web site at https://religionnews.com for a photo of Rabbi Klein to accompany this story.

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