We are not tenants in America

On July 4th, American Jewish organizations widely shared George Washington's 1790 letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, R.I., a gesture reflecting a community seeking reassurance amid rising antisemitism. The article highlights that this widespread sharing is not merely celebratory but a response to a perceived increase in insecurity, with 91% of American Jews feeling less safe after recent violent incidents in 2025. These incidents included arson at the Pennsylvania Governor's residence, murders outside the Capital Jewish Museum, and a firebombing in Boulder, Colo. Many Jews report changing their behavior out of fear, and 2025 marked the first year since 2019 where Jews were murdered for their identity on American soil.

Washington's pledge that the United States would give “to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.”

The author argues that while the impulse to prove belonging through historical contributions (like Haym Salomon or the Liberty Bell's inscription) is understandable, history shows this approach has not guaranteed safety. Instead, Washington's letter, by declaring Jewish rights as inherent and natural, not conditional, offers a more radical and enduring answer. The article concludes that American Jews are not tenants but partners in building the nation, and their response to fear has been to strengthen their Jewish identity and community, reinforcing the constitutional order that secures rights for all.