As America turns 250, Jews shouldn’t mistake it for just another exile
Years ago, an Israeli colleague told me about the children’s book “Rivka’s First Thanksgiving.” Set in 1910, it tells the story of a 9-year-old Jewish immigrant persuading her family and her rabbis that she should…
Assessment
The 250th anniversary of American independence prompts a reckoning with how Jews have understood their place here. The story of Rivka frames America not as a temporary refuge but as a promised land, challenging the exile narrative that has shaped Jewish history. This distinction carries weight for Jewish identity and loyalty, especially as the nation reflects on its founding ideals.