ChaBaD Jewish Calendar Friday, 8 Elul, 5783 August 25, 2023
ChaBaD Jewish Calendar Friday, 8 Elul, 5783 August 25, 2023 Candle Lighting Light Candles at 6:32 PM Jewish History Washington Responds to Newport Jews (1790) The sexton of the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island, wrote a heart warming letter to George Washington, on behalf of the Jewish community welcoming the President on his visit to Newport. In his letter, he expressed a vision of an American government that would permit all religions to live side by side in harmony, giving all its citizens the freedom to practice their religions. On August 18, 1790, President Washington responded: The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of thei