Jews and the American Revolution: The 250th Anniversary of Jews in the U.S.
Tuesday, July 14 | 7:00-8:00pm
Register Here

Drawing on materials from the Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica, this presentation by Laura Newman Eckstein examines Jewish participation in and experience of the American Revolution.

Far beyond the familiar image of patriotic support, these manuscripts and printed works show Jews sustaining religious life during wartime, financing soldiers and military needs, supplying the Continental Army, helping raise revenue for the revolutionary cause, posting bail in politically charged treason cases, and maintaining commercial networks despite the disruptions of occupation and war.

Taken together, these sources present Jews as active participants in the struggle for independence and in the preservation of communal life under extraordinary conditions.