Forwarded from The Blindspot Archives
“The Constitution, of course, guaranteed Jews the free exercise of their faith and legal equality on the federal level. President George Washington, in a celebrated letter in 1790, promised Jews that in America they would not just be tolerated but would enjoy religious liberty as an “inherent natural right.” “The Government of the United States,” he forcefully declared, “gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.” But the people of the United States, many of them raised in places where Jews were hated and distrusted, did not always follow the government’s lead” (Sarna & Shapell, 2015, p. 30).
Forwarded from The Blindspot Archives
“In some cases, such prejudices stood in tension with more positive personal experiences with Jews—a dichotomy, as it were, between the “mythical Jew” and the “Jew next door.” Still, as non-Christians, Jews regularly were cast as outsiders in America; they stood apart from the mainstream and were deeply suspected. Lincoln, we shall see, would work to change that. By the time of his death, he had done more than any previous president to promote Jews’ advance in American society” (Sarna & Shapell, 2015, p. 32).
“When Jews faced their own troublous times during the war, Lincoln acted with characteristic tolerance and inclusion. With anti-Semitism swirling through the military and the War Department, Lincoln did not flinch, whether in reversing an edict by his most successful general—Grant’s General Orders No. 11—or deflecting offensive and odious comments from other generals, including the immensely successful William Tecumseh Sherman. Through all this, Lincoln was the Jews’ most stalwart protector. In that respect, interestingly enough, he very much resembled Harry Truman, as both presidents desperately tried to find an end to a terrible war while at the same time trying to give the Jews, as Lincoln famously said, a “leg up” when it came to returning to their Promised Land. Perhaps it is not a coincidence, then, that both men had close Jewish friendships starting at a young age” (Sarna & Shapell, 2015, p. 14).
“When Jews faced their own troublous times during the war, Lincoln acted with characteristic tolerance and inclusion. With anti-Semitism swirling through the military and the War Department, Lincoln did not flinch, whether in reversing an edict by his most successful general—Grant’s General Orders No. 11—or deflecting offensive and odious comments from other generals, including the immensely successful William Tecumseh Sherman. Through all this, Lincoln was the Jews’ most stalwart protector. In that respect, interestingly enough, he very much resembled Harry Truman, as both presidents desperately tried to find an end to a terrible war while at the same time trying to give the Jews, as Lincoln famously said, a “leg up” when it came to returning to their Promised Land. Perhaps it is not a coincidence, then, that both men had close Jewish friendships starting at a young age” (Sarna & Shapell, 2015, p. 14).
Forwarded from The Blindspot Archives
Lincoln and the Jews _ a history.pdf
12.5 MB
The introduction argues that Abraham Lincoln had unusually significant relationships with Jewish individuals, which influenced both his views and actions. His life coincided with rapid growth in the U.S. Jewish population, making his interactions part of a broader national shift. Sarna and Shapell (2015) highlight that Lincoln’s personal connections with Jews fostered trust and informed key decisions. These include overturning Ulysses S. Grant’s expulsion order, expanding the military chaplaincy to include non-Christians, appointing Jews to positions of authority, and adopting more religiously inclusive language.
They frame Lincoln’s actions as aligned with his broader commitment to equality. The book proceeds chronologically to trace how his views developed over time.
Sarna, J. D., & Shapell, B. (2015). Lincoln and the Jews: A history. Thomas Dunne Books.
They frame Lincoln’s actions as aligned with his broader commitment to equality. The book proceeds chronologically to trace how his views developed over time.
Sarna, J. D., & Shapell, B. (2015). Lincoln and the Jews: A history. Thomas Dunne Books.
Forwarded from Insider Paper
NEW: The chairman of the Israeli parliament national security committee and a member of Netanyahu's coalition says: "Donald, if you have to shoot, shoot. Don't quack"
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