To celebrate the upcoming opening of our groundbreaking exhibition, Lincoln and the Jews on March 20, Harold Holzer, the Roger Hertog Fellow at the New-York Historical Society and Chief Historian to the exhibition, has signed on as this week’s guest blogger. In his post, he highlights the show and the exciting history it illuminates. So read on and don’t miss Lincoln and the Jews, opening a week from today here at New-York Historical!
“Some of my best friends are Jewish.” It’s an old cliché, but uttered in the mid-19th century, such a statement would surely have raised eyebrows—and, very likely, objections. Abraham Lincoln, however, never believed in “a house divided.” Though he is, of course, best known as a champion of black freedom, Lincoln had a remarkably liberal attitude—and record—when it came to Jews, a record that might be characterized by the words he used in his second inaugural address just six weeks before his death: “malice toward none.”
Lincoln’s relationship with Jews and Judaism is an overlooked subject that will be addressed in the upcoming New-York Historical Society exhibition, Lincoln and the Jews, opening March 20. The exhibition shares its title with the big, beautiful catalogue co-authored by the brilliant historian Jonathan Sarna and mega-collector Benjamin Shapell. Together the two have inspired a display of original documents and objects—many never-before-seen—that illuminate Lincoln’s little-known personal relationships with Jewish people of his day, and explore his landmark official actions designed to protect Jews in crisis and extend to them equal rights.
Visitors will meet Lincoln’s fellow lawyer and political supporter Abraham Jonas, who never lost Lincoln’s affection even when his sons fought for the Confederacy; the Springfield, Illinois, clothiers Hammerslough and Rosenwald, who later founded the Sears Roebhuck empire; Illinois photographer Samuel Alschuler, who took the first photograph ever to show Lincoln with whiskers; and Lincoln’s own Jewish doctor—the beguiling, mysterious, controversial chiropodist (podiatrist)-turned-political emissary Issachar Zacharie, who not only cured the president’s chronically aching feet, but served as Lincoln’s representative to Jewish communities in New Orleans and other cities.
Surprises abound: Louisiana Governor Michael Hahn, to whom Lincoln sent one of his most famous public letters (“Keep the jewel of liberty”) was Jewish-born; a Jewish officer helped quell the New York City draft riots and save its most innocent victims—the residents of the “Colored Orphans Asylum” on Fifth Avenue; Lincoln’s well-chronicled enthusiasm for the theater included attendance at slew of plays on Jewish themes; Lincoln quoted the Old Testament in his writings far more often than the New; and one of the physicians attending Lincoln at his deathbed was a Jewish ophthalmologist!
Most important of all, the show reminds visitors that Lincoln made humane decisions when they mattered most. Throughout American history, military chaplains were required to represent some “Christian denomination.” Lincoln advocated for Jewish chaplaincy rights, arguing that Jewish Union soldiers deserved the comforts of religion, and eventually signed the bill extending that right to Jews. He appointed the first Jewish army quartermasters, as well. And when General Ulysses S. Grant issued his infamous “General Order Number 11” expelling all Jews from his vast military command in the West, Lincoln rescinded the command—quietly enough to maintain Grant’s loyalty and morale, but loudly enough so American Jews understood and appreciated his resolve to allow no official discrimination.
This is a fascinating, complex, gripping story, and the exhibition a perfect way to mark the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s death (April 15)—by celebrating a little-known aspect of his life. The show should not be missed.
The 4th Geneva Convention does not apply to Gaza or the West Bank since at the time of ratification neehitr territory was under the jurisdiction of any state at the time. I am sure you are aware that Gaza was originally under control by Egypt while the West Bank was under Jordan’s control in which both at one point were invaded and occupied by IDF since the territories were used as platforms to launch attacks against Israel by Muslim states. Israel considers itself an authority in Gaza and West Bank as which is granted to an occupying power, is allowed and specified under the 4th Geneva Convention as well.In terms of the Six Day War that was not started by Israel but started by her neighbors. Prior to the conflict Israel was victim from attacks by terrorists it was discovered were being allowed to migrate through Syria. Egypt at first sent troops to the Sinai Peninsula due to an, admittedly, flase report that Israel was going to invade Jordan. Egypt later closed the Straits of Tiran considered an international water way at the time. Egypt then joined in the engagement due to a pact the country had with Jordan and Syria in which all 3 countries had military agreements with each other. Israel did start the fighting with an airstrike but the aggressions that lead up to the war were initiated by her Muslim neighbors. The reason for a lack of self determination by Gaza and West Bank Palestinians is simple, if they stop supporting terrorists and recognize Israel’s right to exist then the violence will stop. The Muslims not only refuse to but even reject any agreement geared to bringing peace to the region.To begin with I suggest you look up a man named Muhammad Amin al-Husseini. He was Yasser Arafat’s uncle and a Muslim cleric who ended up migrating to Germany and got a personal audience with Adlof Hitler. Husseini helped Hitler implement his Final Solution as well as raise Muslim regiments for the Nazis. When Nazi Germany fell he continued his activities helping to create groups like the PLO and Young Egypt Party which was a pro-Nazi organization. Among Young Egypt’s members were future Egyptian Presidents Gamal Abdel Nasser and Anwar Sadat.Nazism did not die with the defeat of Hitler but migrated to the Middle East thanks to Husseini in which you see Nazi influences in groups like Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood (whose founder Hasan al-Banna was a Nazi sympathizer) and Hizbullah.