The First Amendment and the Birth of Jewish Equality

Jewish History Nerds won two Signal Awards, gold and listener's choice in the history category. If you enjoy this show, please comment wherever you get your podcasts. We'll be back soon with a brand new season of episodes.

In Part 2, Yael guides Schwab through what happened after the Revolution, as America's 2,500 Jews became citizens of a brand new nation.

America promised religious freedom, but for Jews in the early republic, that promise had to be tested in real life. From George Washington’s letter to Newport’s Jewish community to test oaths, courtrooms, and Jewish diplomats abroad, this story follows how Jews became citizens in a new nation still figuring out what equality actually meant.

Note: All states ratified the Constitution in 1790, the amendments were ratified in 1791.

Don't miss part 1: ⁠⁠The Forgotten Jews of the American Revolution (unpacked.media/the-jews-of-1776-the-revolution)

For more on the Jews of Colonial America, check out:

Why the first Jews in Colonial American Nearly Vanished⁠ (unpacked.media/why-the-first-jews-in-colonial-…)

Here is the episode submitted to the Signal Awards for this year's competition.⁠ The First Jews in the Americas, Fleeing the Inquisition. ⁠ (unpacked.media/the-first-jews-in-the-americas-…)

Be in touch. Write to us at nerds@unpacked.media.

Sources:

A Promised Land: Jew­ish Patri­ots, the Amer­i­can Rev­o­lu­tion, and the Birth of Reli­gious Freedom by Adam Jort­ner (jewishbookcouncil.org/book/a-promised-land-jew…)

Summary and Additional Sources: docs.google.com/document/d/1XMLFbbR0J0wOFTMqIZ…

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out our videos on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (youtube.com/@UnpackedPodcasts) and Spotify.

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