Newport, Rhode Island, United States

0 Communities History

Here’s how American Jewish orgs are marking 250 years of independence

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA · 27 Jun

As the United States marks its 250th year of independence, various American Jewish organizations are commemorating the country's founding, reflecting on the Jewish community's contributions to American democracy and civic life.

0 Communities History

Celebrating 250 Years of America: The Orthodox Jewish Experience

JA Staff in Jewish Action · 2 Jun

As America approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, the Orthodox Jewish experience uniquely highlights gratitude for the country's acceptance and the ensuing religious and cultural flourishing.

0 History Communities

Why American Jewish History Matters: The Orthodox Experience

Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff in Jewish Action · 2 Jun

American Jewish history continues to be a pivotal field of study, especially for Orthodox Jews grappling with their place in American society.

0 History Jewish Law

Moses Seixas (1744–1809)—The Promise of Liberty

Dr. Jeanne Abrams in Jewish Action · 2 Jun

Moses Seixas played a pivotal role in advocating for religious liberty for Jews in the newly formed United States.

0 History Communities

Aaron Lopez (1731–1782)—Faith Before Fortune: Jewish Life in Colonial America

Saul Jay Singer in Jewish Action · 2 Jun

Aaron Lopez, a Portuguese Jewish émigré originally named Duarte Lopez, settled in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1752.

0 History Jewish Law

Rabbi Abraham Joseph Rice (1802–1862)—In Complete Isolation: The Struggle for Torah in America

Rabbi Dr. Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff in Jewish Action · 2 Jun

Rabbi Abraham Joseph Rice, born in 1802 in Bavaria, was the first traditionally ordained rabbi to settle in the United States, arriving in 1840.

0 Politics History

Reform Judaism helped craft the Voting Rights Act. Its evisceration gives Jews a new mission

Jonah Dov Pesner in Forward · 4 May

In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision further weakening the Voting Rights Act (VRA), Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner emphasizes the historical and ongoing role of Reform Judaism in shaping and defending voting rights in America.

0 History Holidays

Remembrances Of Slavery How Two Cultures Commemorate A Vital Part Of Their History

Steve Lipman in Lehrhaus · 30 Mar

In a reflection on the commemoration of slavery, Steve Lipman explores how Jewish Passover rituals and African American slavery museums both serve to remember and educate about past suffering.

0 History Communities

America’s oldest synagogue closed. Then an unlikely group tended its cemetery.

Austin Albanese in Forward · 29 Mar

The Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, is a revered landmark as the oldest surviving synagogue in the United States, dating back to 1763.

0 Antisemitism Ethics

The End of Jewish Apology Culture

Mitch Schneider in Future of Jewish · 17 Feb

Mitch Schneider's essay highlights the emergence of a new confident Jewish generation that no longer apologizes for its identity or beliefs.

0 Antisemitism History

America, Antisemitism, and J.D. Vance

Emes Ve-Emunah · 22 Dec 2025

This reflective piece discusses the historically positive integration of Jewish communities in America, influenced by the nation's founding principles and the embrace from figures like George Washington.

0 Politics Israel

The Future of Jews in America

Emes Ve-Emunah · 12 Nov 2025

The future of Jewish life and Israel support in the U.S. is experiencing shifts, as partisan lines blur and antisemitic sentiments rise on both extremes of the political spectrum.

0 Art Culture

The Jewish Museum has just completed a major renovation. Here are 7 highlights.

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA · 24 Oct 2025

The Jewish Museum on Fifth Avenue has reopened after a $14.5 million renovation, unveiling new exhibits and educational spaces.

0 Music Culture

The Newport Folk Festival imagined a more equitable world — can that dream be revived?

Olivia Haynie in Forward · 30 Sep 2025

"Newport & The Great Folk Dream," a new documentary by Robert Gordon, explores the Newport Folk Festival's pivotal years between 1963 and 1966.

0 Communities Education

The Erasure of Sephardic Jewry

Sruli Fruchter in 18forty · 1 Jul 2025

Sruli Fruchter discusses the marginalization of Sephardic Jewry within mixed Ashkenazi-Sephardic communities in the United States.

0 Culture Communities

The Erasure of Sephardic Jewry

Sruli Fruchter in 18forty · 1 Jul 2025

Sephardic Jewry and its rich cultural and historical contributions face erasure within broader Jewish communities, especially in places like the United States where Ashkenazi customs predominantly overshadow Sephardic traditions.

0 Philosophy Jewish Law

Passover Crossover - Rootless - Why Dual Loyalty is Good for the Jews, with Rabbi Nolan Lebovitz

Unorthodox · 16 Apr 2025

Rabbi Nolan Lebovitz discusses the concept of dual loyalty among American Jews, advocating for a proud embrace of loyalty to both the United States and Israel as complementary rather than conflicting identities.

0 History Politics

What was the Jewish record on slavery? It's (very) complicated.

Julia M. Klein in Forward · 11 Apr 2025

In "Fear No Pharaoh," Richard Kreitner delves into the complex relationship between American Jews and slavery during the 19th century, highlighting the diversity of Jewish perspectives based on various factors including geography, tradition, and political pressures.

0 History Ethics

American Pharaohs

Allan Arkush in Jewish Review of Books · 7 Apr 2025

Allan Arkush reviews Richard Kreitner's book "Fear No Pharaoh," which examines the complex and often uncomfortable role American Jews had in the institution of slavery.

0 Politics History

America (at Her Best)

Sapir · 3 Apr 2025

The article discusses the historically philosemitic foundations of the United States, highlighting notable Jewish contributions to American society and politics.

0 Television/Film Culture

Why Israeli TV Is So Good

Sapir · 3 Apr 2025

Israeli TV has become internationally acclaimed for its nuanced portrayal of religious characters, a shift marked by the success of shows like "Srugim" and "Shtisel."

0 Music Culture

Critics say Kendrick Lamar was too loud and hard to understand — they said the same thing about Bob Dylan in Newport

Olivia Haynie in Forward · 11 Feb 2025

Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime performance, rife with political commentary, ignited controversy akin to Bob Dylan's electric transition at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.

0 Politics History

Who were the most (and least) Jewish presidents?

PJ Grisar in Forward · 11 Feb 2025

PJ Grisar offers an intriguing exploration of the Jewish connections and legacies of American presidents, rating them on a playful Jewishness scale.

0 Communities History

They met at synagogue in 1961. They were buried together at Arlington National Cemetery in 2025. This is their story.

Benyamin Cohen in Forward · 29 Jan 2025

Elsie Adler and Edith Kaufman shared a remarkable friendship that lasted over six decades, beginning when they met at synagogue in 1961.

0 Politics History

As Trump takes the oath of office, remember its most famous phrase has roots in Christian nationalism

David B. Parker in Forward · 17 Jan 2025

David B. Parker explores the origins and implications of the phrase "so help me God" used during presidential inaugurations, tracing its ties to Christian nationalism and concerns about antisemitism.

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