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The story of Jewish life in America is one of perseverance, faith, and profound impact—stretching back centuries before Ellis Island. From persecution to promise, Jewish contributions have helped shape the very foundation of the United States.
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From The Lioness Writes:
The story of Jewish life in America didn’t start at Ellis Island. It didn’t start with the Lower East Side or the garment district or the families who packed onto steamships at the turn of the twentieth century. It started in 1654, in a Dutch harbor, with 23 people who arrived broke, got immediately sued by their own ship captain, and had two of their own thrown in jail.
What they built from that starting point changed the country.
New Amsterdam, 1654
On September 7, 1654, a French vessel called the St. Catrine pulled into the harbor of New Amsterdam, a small Dutch colonial town at the southern tip of what’s now Manhattan. On board were 23 Jewish passengers, described in the court records as “23 souls, big and little.” They had no money and no papers. What little they’d owned had been stolen by Spanish pirates somewhere in the Caribbean. The ship’s captain immediately sued them for unpaid passage.
Throughout this article, author Melissa Brodsky explains how Jewish Americans played a critical role in shaping the nation’s identity. Despite facing discrimination, legal barriers, and persecution, they stood firm—defending their rights, contributing to the economy, and helping establish the principles of religious liberty that define America today. Figures like Asser Levy fought for equal rights in the earliest days of the colonies, while others like Haym Salomon helped finance the American Revolution at pivotal moments.
Brodsky’s article also mentions Emma Lazarus, a young Jewish poet who wrote the iconic sonnet “The New Colossus” in 1883. As she wrote the words “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” she did so with the slaughter and flight of Eastern European Jews in mind. 20 years after Lazarus wrote this sonnet, it was affixed to the base of the Statue of Liberty in 1903.
This legacy is not only American—it is deeply connected to God’s covenant people, Israel. Scripture reminds us that God’s purposes for the Jewish people endure, and history consistently shows their resilience and influence across nations. From building synagogues in the New World to shaping laws, labor movements, and culture, the Jewish community has been instrumental in advancing both freedom and human dignity.
In a time when antisemitism is rising globally and even within the United States, remembering this history is more important than ever. The Jewish people have faced exile, persecution, and violence for generations—yet they have continued to build, contribute, and bless the nations around them. As Christians, we are called to stand with Israel and the Jewish people, honoring their role in both biblical history and modern society.
This story is a powerful reminder that God is faithful across generations. What began with 23 individuals arriving with nothing has grown into one of the most influential communities in the world. Their perseverance reflects not only human determination, but the sustaining hand of God.
Intercessors, let’s pray for the Jewish people and for the nation of Israel. Ask the Lord to protect them from rising hatred, to bless them abundantly, and to strengthen the bond between America and Israel.
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(Excerpt from The Lioness Writes. Photo Credit: Jason Krieger on Unsplash)
