From even before the United States gained independence, Jews have been woven into the fabric of American life, contributing their energy, intellect and spirit to the building of the American Dream. Founded in the early days of New York City in 1654, Congregation Shearith Israel was the first organized Jewish community in North America, standing as a testament to the enduring presence of Jewish life in America.
Jewish immigrants often arrived penniless and faced discrimination, but with a strong hope and desire to contribute to their new home. A spirit of patriotism is a consistent hallmark of the Jewish American experience, demonstrating a profound sense of shared responsibility in its growth and defense.
Recognizing this enduring legacy of groundbreaking innovations and profound contributions to culture, education, science, technology and security, Jewish American Heritage Month is observed each May. This annual commemoration, officially established in 2006 by President George W. Bush, offers an important opportunity to reflect on the remarkable impact of Jewish Americans on the very story of our nation.
Shaping American culture: ‘Masses yearning to be free’
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” which is famously inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, was penned by 19th-century Jewish poet Emma Lazarus. This inscription has been a beacon of hope for new immigrants arriving on U.S. shores. Lazarus was deeply connected to her Jewish heritage and passionately supported re-establishing a Jewish homeland in Israel. In “The Banner of the Jew,” she reminded Jews that “With Moses’s law and David’s lyre, Israel’s ancient strength remains unbent.” Her commitment to American ideals and the Jewish future demonstrated these were not dual loyalties.
“God Bless America” and even “White Christmas,” songs still sung today, were written by Irving Berlin, a Jewish Russian immigrant who fled pogroms in the 1890s as a child and survived in New York on food scraps and used clothes. He became one of the most successful and influential songwriters in American history. Berlin produced an unparalleled catalog of American popular songs and enduring patriotic anthems, connecting with the broader American cultural experience.
The cultural vibrancy of Jewish Americans continues:
- Actor Adrien Brody won Oscars for Best Actor in Holocaust-themed movies, “The Pianist” and “The Brutalist.”
- Debra Messing seamlessly blends her acting career with her outspoken Jewish identity and support for Israel.
- Bruce Pearl leads the national sports powerhouse Auburn University men’s basketball team, and is a strong supporter of Israel and American Jews.
Champions of civil rights, pillars of justice
Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, was founded in 1912 by Henrietta Szold. She was a social reformer who worked to improve the lives of newcomers to America. Recognizing the challenges faced by Jewish immigrants, she established important programs focused on education, support services and skills development to help them integrate successfully into American life. Szold promoted Jewish immigration to the Land of Israel and the revival of Jewish culture.
Louis Brandeis was a distinguished legal scholar who became the first Jewish Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court in 1916. He was a strong proponent of fundamental rights and fairness under the law. His influential rulings significantly shaped the understanding of individual liberties, including freedom of speech and the right to privacy and aimed to ensure a just application of the law for all Americans.
The pursuit of civil rights was also championed by:
- Lillian Wald, a social reformer and nurse who founded the Henry Street Settlement in New York City, provided essential health care and support to immigrant communities. Wald also advocated for better living conditions and women’s suffrage.
- Julius Rosenwald built the store Sears into a national retailer and partnered with Booker T. Washington to establish the Rosenwald Schools, significantly advancing educational opportunities for African-American children in the segregated U.S. South.
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a Supreme Court Justice who dedicated her career to ensuring equal protection under the law for all individuals and eliminating unfair discrimination.
Service in the military, starting in the Revolutionary War
Jonas Phillips was a veteran of the American Revolutionary War who arrived from Germany in 1759 as an indentured servant. During the war, he served in a Philadelphia militia, founded a synagogue in Philadelphia and wrote a letter to a Dutch relative, requesting supplies in Yiddish to evade the British communication blockade. Phillips made a civil-rights petition and an address for religious freedom to the Constitutional Convention to avoid making a Christian religious oath a requirement for holding public office. One of his grandsons, Uriah Phillips Levy, became the first Jewish commodore in the U.S. Navy.
Leopold Karpeles was a Medal of Honor recipient during the American Civil War. An immigrant to Texas from Prague, Karpeles was an abolitionist who provided aid to the Underground Railroad for African-American slaves. He moved to Massachusetts, where he served in an infantry unit. He was recognized for exceptional bravery at the Battle of the Wilderness in May 1864 because he rallied retreating soldiers against the advancing Confederate army. Karpeles was severely wounded at the Battle of North Anna and refused to be evacuated until he fainted. He was the first Jewish recipient of the highest military honor and later advocated for veteran causes.
More significant contributions:
- Romanian immigrant Bea Cohen enlisted to “pay back for being an American.” She processed and copied top-secret documents in London. Cohen always said, “There is still more to do,” exemplifying her lifetime of service, especially in advocating for veterans’ causes.
- Tibor (“Ted”) Rubin was a Hungarian Holocaust survivor who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Korean War. He survived the war despite his sergeant being “an antisemite who gave Rubin dangerous assignments in hopes of getting him killed.” The VA Medical Center in Long Beach, Calif., was named after him.
- Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) had a distinguished career in national security, including multiple tours in Iraq as a CIA analyst. Her expertise in counterterrorism and national security policy highlights the significant contributions of Jewish Americans to crucial intelligence and defense roles.
Points to consider:
- Jewish Americans overcame common immigrant challenges.
Jewish immigrants to America often arrived as refugees with few resources. Many escaped persecution only to be met with discrimination here—before, during and after the Holocaust. This included restrictive immigration laws in the 1920s and 1930s and bans from social clubs: “No N*****s, No Jews, No Dogs allowed.” The discrimination they and their neighbors faced led many to join the fight for women’s suffrage and the Civil Rights Movement, continuing to contribute to the evolving American story. Despite these challenges, many Jews established communities across the nation, integrating into the American landscape while forging their own unique identities.
- U.S. Jews represent a nation of many faces.
Jews are not only a religious group. They are a people, a nation, a culture and a heritage. The Jewish American community encompasses a wide spectrum of beliefs and backgrounds. Some are deeply religious, like Chassidic Jews in Brooklyn, N.Y. Many others identify as culturally Jewish or atheist, yet maintain a strong connection to their Jewish heritage and Israel. The Jewish community includes individuals of all colors and ethnicities, including converts who have embraced Judaism and become full members of the Jewish people, illustrating the inclusive nature of Jewish identity.
- Jews have pioneered numerous fields impacting American life.
They have also been pioneers in science, medicine and technology, driving innovation and progress. Jewish entrepreneurs played a vital role in establishing iconic industries, from influential department stores to groundbreaking advancements that have touched the lives of all Americans. Jonas Salk revolutionized public health with the polio vaccine, impacting millions globally. Ruth Westheimer (“Dr. Ruth”) transformed conversations around human sexuality and marital relations. Estée Lauder, Levi Strauss and Ralph Lauren created iconic cosmetic and fashion brands. New England Patriots owner and philanthropist Robert Kraft launched the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. Baseball Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax refused to pitch on Yom Kippur in 1965.
- Jewish Americans can be patriotic and also support Israel.
For Jewish Americans, love for their heritage and connection to Israel does not diminish their profound patriotism. Just as many ethnic groups maintain ties to their ancestral homelands, this connection is a natural expression of identity and history. American Jews have consistently demonstrated their commitment to the United States through active participation in civic life, military service and contributions to the nation. Supporting Israel is rooted in cultural, historical and religious ties, not a conflict of loyalty to their American identity.
