Sword of Abraham, Shield of Davis: The Everyday Experiences of Jewish Soldiers in the Civil War

Join us for a landmark virtual series as we commemorate 250 years of the Jewish experience in America, exploring the profound ways Jewish identity and the American story have shaped one another. Through a series of monthly conversations with the nation’s leading historians, we will journey from the arrival of the first colonial settlers to the vibrant, diverse communities of the modern era.

With Professor, Historian and Author Adam Mendelsohn

What was it like to be a Jew in the armies of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis? Jewish soldiers were religious outsiders in military environments that made few allowances for their specific needs. They were often expected to subsist on diets heavy in pork and to worship on Sundays rather than Saturdays. Furthermore, most of their Christian comrades had never encountered Jewish people before.

This talk will explore the visible and invisible ways that the everyday experiences of Jews were distinct from those of other soldiers who served during the Civil War.

Professor Adam D. Mendelsohn holds the Isidore and Theresa Cohen Chair in Jewish Civilization at the University of Cape Town where he is Director of the Kaplan Centre for Jewish Studies. He is the author of Jewish Soldiers in the Civil War: The Union Army and is at work on a companion volume on the Confederacy.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

So how does this all work? 

• By purchasing our 250 Years of Jewish Life in America series, you are gaining access to a year’s worth of events with the nation’s top Jewish historians. You will be able to watch them all live on Zoom, and they will also be recorded for later viewing. Each event will be one hour long.

Can I purchase a ticket to individual events if I don’t want to buy the full package? 

• Yes. (But the entire package for just $54 is quite a deal!)

How many events will there be?

• At least eight, spread out throughout the year.

What if I have more questions about how this works? 

• You can email events@70facesmedia.org.