George W.’s Letter We Should All Read
As this post is posted, it is the first day of Hanukkah, a holiday in which Jews all over the world celebrate the victory in 165 B.C.E. over the Seleucids in a place called Judea, which is now modern Israel. This fight, led by the Maccabee family, was one of the first, if not the first, recorded fights for religious freedom in history.
So, you ask, what prompted this post, and how does it relate to American history? It was learning this morning (12/14/2025) of the horrific terrorist attack in Australia at a Hanukkah party at Bondi Beach, near Sydney. Ten Aussie Jews and one of the gunmen were killed.
An Australian’s right to practice one’s choice of religion is guaranteed in its Constitution which was written in the 1890s and approved to be enacted by Queen Victoria on July 9th, 1900. Section 116 of the Australian Constitution reads – The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth.
Where have we seen similar words? If you read the first 15 words of the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution, it states – Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; – you find the origin of the Australian clause.
Which brings the post back to one of the more important, but little-known letters written by George Washington and delivered while he was president on August 18th, 1790, to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, RI. Known as the time as Congregation Jeshuat Israel (known today as Ahavath Israel) was founded in 1658. Its original members were Jews who fled Spanish and Portuguese colonies in the Caribbean, South and Central America, where they were persecuted under the laws passed during the Spanish Inquisition. They came to Rhode Island because they believed Roger Williams promise of religious freedom.
What is interesting is that the powerful words The government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance which have been quoted often in U.S. jurisprudence and laws, comes from this letter. Here’s what Washington wrote in its entirety and his words are relevant to every American citizen and those who wish to immigrate.
Gentlemen.
While I receive, with much satisfaction, your Address replete with expressions of affection and esteem; I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you, that I shall always retain a grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced in my visit to Newport, from all classes of Citizens.
The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the more sweet, from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security. If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good Government, to become a great and a happy people.
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 their inherent natural rights. 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, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.
It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my Administration, and fervent wishes for my felicity. May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.
Go: Washington
The terse wording and diction of the time should force you to consider his words and concepts which come from a man who (a) led this country’s fight for independence through eight years and five months of war; (b) suffered through the problems caused by the ineffectiveness of the Articles of Confederation and then, (c) under our new Constitution, again led this country as is first president.
Lew Keen photo of the Touro Synagogue which is also a National Historic Site.