To mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and in conjunction with the new exhibition, All We Have Standing Between Us: 250 Years of Jews and American Democracy, the Center for Jewish History and American Jewish Historical Society are proud to present a full-day symposium, Jews and American Democracy: 250 Years of Debate.

While Jews have been deeply involved in the American democratic experiment since 1776, they have has seldom spoken in a unified voice about how best to achieve its guiding ideals. Across generations, Jews have vigorously debated the opportunities and challenges presented by the principles of freedom, equality, popular sovereignty, and economic opportunity, voicing their views from multiple political perspectives. Whatever their differences, however, Jews have remained united in their pursuit of the promise of American democracy.

Jews and American Democracy brings together a distinguished group of scholars to explore questions surrounding the history and present-day engagement of Jews in American political life. The symposium features four panels: “One Community, Many Voices: American Jewish Political Traditions”; “The Paradox of Belonging: Antisemitism in American Jewish History”; “The World at Large: American Jews and Foreign Policy”; and “After Exceptionalism: The Future of American Jewish History.”

Jews and American Democracy is made possible by the generous sponsorship of the Polonsky Foundation with support from the Leon Levy Foundation. The symposium is the latest event organized in conjunction with CJH’s Jewish Public History Forum, which regularly convenes public conversations on historical issues of contemporary relevance.