America is on the brink of celebrating its 250th anniversary, a celebration of the successful preservation and protection of our country and the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness that it holds for each citizen. A recent holiday foreshadowing the grander celebration to come in July is Presidents’ Day, which was recognized on February 16. However, as we celebrate our nation through these various events, it is crucial that we heed the key factors that contributed to our founding. One such factor is the prevalent Jewish contributions to America, the topic covered at a seminar held in the Library Auditorium at Regent University on February 23. The primary speaker was Mitch Schran, an Orthodox Rabbi, who conducted a discussion about the relationship between American Jews and presidents.

This conference, co-hosted by “Figs and Olives,” served as a kickoff for a series of events culminating in a conference in Philadelphia this coming fall on the same topic. During the seminar, the speaker shared stories from his time as a chaplain that served as powerful supplements to his content. Rabbi Schran shared the importance of recognizing the Judeo-Christian founding and embracing the values and contributions of the Hebrew Bible, expositing a “theology of esteem.” He also explained how Jews first immigrated to the U.S. and how specific presidents were deeply interconnected with the Jewish people and traditions. Schran explained that the first Jews to come to America were Spanish and Portuguese Jews descended from those who fled Spain during the Inquisition. For these immigrants, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island served as beacons of hope.

The Jewish Bible was important in colonial days as well. The story of the Exodus was significant symbolism for the Jews as it related to America’s founding, with Pharaoh symbolizing King George and the fighting for independence symbolizing the Israelites. The Jewish narrative is ultimately emulated as a paradigm for what the founding fathers wanted to occur in America: love among people. The speaker also touched on various presidents and their relationships with the Jewish people. One of the most profound examples is encapsulated by George Washington’s letter to the Jewish congregation in Rhode Island. This letter is not merely about Jewish tolerance; it argues that Jews have the rights of every other citizen in America. Thomas Jefferson established the separation of church and state, which was important for Jews in America.

President Ulysses S. Grant originally initiated an order expelling Jewish merchants, forcing them to leave their territories. A Jewish immigrant was able to acquire an audience with Abraham Lincoln, who provided a remedy, and as a result the Jews looked favorably upon Lincoln. Even today Lincoln is respected by Jewish Americans. Later, Grant himself shifted favorably toward the Jews, becoming an ally and appointing many Jews to public office Through this conference, I recognized that America as a nation must stand by the Jewish nation, not only because of the immense historical and biblical support for the nation of Israel, but also as a way of recognizing the profound Jewish contributions to America’s founding. America’s Jewish roots ought to be both cherished and celebrated. When we party this summer like it’s 1776, we ought to also express gratitude and respect for our country’s Jewish heritage.