The Bible, the Founders, and the War on American History

For generations, American Jews have reacted with profound gratitude for the many blessings of living in the United States: political freedom, economic opportunity, religious liberty. Many Jews have also appreciated the crucial role that Jewish ideas played in the American Founding and in shaping the spirit of American life. Yet today, American civilization is on trial in many of our academic, media, and cultural institutions. Efforts like the “1619 Project” have been working to teach the next generation to see the American story as rooted in series of sins. How do we respond to this cultural assault on America—speaking as Americans, as Jews, and as parents? How can we ensure that our children learn about the greatness of the American experiment, not in denial of its flaws and imperfections but in appreciation of its ideals of liberty and equality? And what unique role and stake do Jews have in this battle of ideas?

Rabbi Meir Soloveichik explored these questions and more at this special Tikvah/Jewish Parents Forum event, hosted at Boca Raton Synagogue and with the Boca Jewish Center. This event was held on February 7, 2023.