Proclaim Liberty: A Jewish Vision for America at 250

BY YAEL GRINSTEIN

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As the United States approaches its 250^th anniversary on July 4, 2026, American Jewry stands at a crossroads. This Semiquincentennial is more than a national milestone; it is an opportunity for American Jews to assert their identity, express gratitude, and renew a moral partnership with the country that has offered them both refuge and responsibility. In a time of growing uncertainty, especially in the wake of October 7^th and the surge of global antisemitism that followed, this unique anniversary offers American Jews the chance to not only to reflect on the great history of our country, but to reimagine and reinvigorate our civic presence in America. 

From the earliest days of the republic, Jews have played a meaningful role in shaping the American experiment. Figures like Haym Salomon helped finance the Revolutionary War, while Bernard Baruch helped stabilize the American economy during World War I as chairman of the War Industries Board. Generations of Jewish immigrants brought with them a commitment to liberty, education, and justice. Over the course of generations, they helped build labor unions, fought for civil rights, and contributed to every field of American life, from science and politics to the arts and philanthropy. Yet despite this long and vital history, Jewish contributions have, at times, been minimized within the broader narrative of American identity. The upcoming 250th anniversary provides a rare and powerful chance to bring those contributions to the forefront of our public consciousness. If done right, America’s 250^th can be a moment of public affirmation that American Jews are not just outsiders or observers but full participants in the American story. 

This effort must be intentional and intergenerational. Jewish youth should be encouraged to take the lead in crafting a vision for what Jewish engagement with America’s 250^th might look like. Young Jews in America are not only the inheritors of the proud civic traditions developed in this country, but they are the ones who must deal with a rising tide of political polarization and antisemitism, particularly on college campuses. America’s Jewish day schools are especially well-positioned to take the lead; they should make every effort to mobilize their communities through storytelling, public art, civic service, and educational initiatives emphasizing the enduring wisdom of Jewish ethics and its relationship with the founding ideals of the American republic.  

For American Jews, the Semiquincentennial is ultimately a moment of renewal, revitalizing the moral connection between American Jews and the country in which they live. It’s a relationship built on more than economic opportunity and physical safety; the core values of Judaism that stem from the Tanach align with those of America: freedom, justice, and the dignity of every human being. To celebrate 250 years of American democracy is to recommit to and highlight those ideals. From giving charity to advocating for religious liberty to standing with marginalized communities, the American Jewish community can bring its values practiced every day into the public with pride. 

This moment is one of great excitement. Jewish institutions have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to collaborate across denominations and generational lines to both honor Jewish history in America and chart a course for meaningful Jewish civic engagement in the years ahead. Inscribed on the Liberty Bell displayed in Philadelphia is a biblical verse from Leviticus: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” This call encapsulates the enduring intersection of American and Jewish purpose. As the United States prepares to mark 250 years of independence, the Jewish community has a profound opportunity to help renew this purpose throughout the land, and ring that bell once again.