The First Salute with Laura Leibman and Dan Tadmor

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.

“Had it not been for… this infamous island, the American Rebellion could not possibly have subsisted.”

On May 7, during Jewish American Heritage Month, we explore the little-known story of a small group of Jewish merchants in the Caribbean whose outsized contributions to the cause of American liberty helped tip the scales in the fight for independence. 

On the lush, windswept island of St. Eustatius, Jewish merchants supplied George Washington’s army with critical contraband and became part of the first international entity to recognize the United States. Their allegiance to the American cause came at great personal cost: targeted by the British, they were stripped of their homes and wealth, torn from their families, driven into exile, and even saw their graves plundered. It is ultimately a story of how these Jews helped win the war- and helped found America.

This webinar features Professor Laura Leibman, historian and author, alongside Dan Tadmor, President and CEO of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History. Leibman served as a historical advisor on the Weitzman’s new exhibition, The First Salute, which brings this remarkable and often overlooked story to life for visitors at the museum on historic Independence Mall. 

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.