Two Historic Letters

Two Historic Letters. . , George Washington's letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, remains as compelling and relevant today as it was in 1790. In his reply to the letter he received from the Congregation warden Moses Seixas, the newly elected President expressed his commitment to the free exercise of religious choice., The Seixas Letter , Congregation warden Moses Seixas presented his letter from the Hebrew Congregation of Newport to President George Washington on August 17, 1790, at the Colony House in Newport., In his letter, Seixas thanked the President for all the opportunities available to the Jewish community in this new country. He also subtly asked if religious tolerance would continue under the new national government.,

"Deprived as we heretofore have been of the invaluable rights of free Citizens, we now with a deep sense of gratitude… behold a Government, which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance, but generously affording to all Liberty of conscience and immunities of Citizenship, deeming every one, of whatever Nation, tongue, or language equal parts of the great governmental Machine…" , - Moses Seixas

, The Washington Letter , Emphasizes two fundamental principles of American democracy: the separation of church and state and the right to practice your religion, or not to practice at all., Reassures those who fled religious tyranny that life in the new nation would be different., Affirms that religious toleration would give way to religious liberty, and the government would not interfere with matters of belief., Highlights language in the First Amendment, added to the Constitution on December 15, 1791.,

"For happily the Government of the United States which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens…" - George Washington

, If you are a good citizen, it is your birthright to practice your religion without government interference., In honor of our grandfather, Judge Max Levy, and great grandfathers Julius Engel and Isaac Levy, we recognize their leadership as past presidents of Congregation Jeshuat Israel between 1894 and 1924 and their legacy for all to remember. Cousins, Stephen B. Kay and Elizabeth A. Kay -November 1, 2023.