Our beloved America celebrated her 250th over the weekend — but for Jewish communities across the country, the semiquincentennial party is far from over. Organizations nationwide are marking the milestone, and the long history of Jewish contributions to American democracy, with exhibits, service projects, lectures and civic education programs running through the summer and beyond. Here are seven ways to take part.
1. THE JEWISH MUSEUM (NEW YORK) — THROUGH AUG. 9, 2026
The museum’s «Circa 1776» exhibit explores Jewish life in colonial and postcolonial America through portraits, artifacts and documents. A companion exhibit features the famous 1790 correspondence between George Washington and Moses Seixas of Newport’s Touro Synagogue — the letters that became a foundational text of American Jewish belonging, with Washington’s promise that all would «sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree.» A June 29 lecture on colonial Jewish life is co-hosted with Congregation Shearith Israel. Admission is free on Saturdays.
2. WEITZMAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY (PHILADELPHIA) — THROUGH APRIL 2027
The Smithsonian-affiliated museum is spotlighting Jews of the Revolutionary era. «The First Salute» tells the little-known story of Sephardic merchants on the Caribbean island of Sint Eustatius who helped arm the Continental Army — and of a 1776 cannon salute considered the first foreign recognition of an American flag. The core exhibition (1654–1945) and the «Only in America» Gallery, honoring figures from Irving Berlin to Louis Brandeis, are also viewable online.
3. Center for Jewish History and American Jewish Historical Society (New York) — July 21 to Dec. 31, 2026
«All We Have Standing Between Us» traces Jewish political life in America across seven themes, from citizenship and immigration to voting rights and religious freedom. Highlights include letters from Washington, Jefferson, Nixon and Obama; Picasso drawings of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg; and material on Emma Lazarus, Henry Morgenthau Jr. and Betty Friedan. An eight-episode companion podcast launches July 1.
4. CONGREGATION MIKVEH ISRAEL (PHILADELPHIA) — JULY 26, 2026
Founded in 1740, the nation’s oldest continuous synagogue is throwing an all-ages Independence Day celebration from 4 to 10 p.m., with vendors, food, art and music. The congregation — once led by Gershom Mendes Seixas, America’s first native-born Jewish religious leader whose family started the New York Stock Exchange— has a «Faith and Freedom» exhibit on Jewish contributions to the Revolution.
5. SHALOM HARTMAN INSTITUTE — YEAR-ROUND
The Hartman Beit Midrash for America at 250 offers a digital library of Jewish texts, public programs, essays, holiday guides and podcasts, plus a special America 250 issue of its journal «Sources.» With A More Perfect Union, Hartman has also launched the American Jewish Civics Seminar, grounding civic and democratic questions in Jewish teachings.
6. PARDES INSTITUTE — YEAR-ROUND
The Jerusalem yeshiva has produced the Talmud of America, a free downloadable collection of commentaries inspired by the Declaration of Independence and Jewish texts, with source sheets suited for camps, synagogues or individual study.
7. TEMPLE EMANU-EL STREICKER CENTER (NEW YORK) — THROUGH 2027
New York’s largest synagogue is hosting a «Celebrate America at 250» series, including a July 3 Shabbat service and free lectures on the Jewish communities of Savannah, Charleston, Newport and Philadelphia — and on the Jewish imprint on American pop culture.
Adapted from reporting by Jackie Hajdenberg for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA).
Call for Submissions: Are you a Bukharian synagogue or institution celebrating America’s 250th? We would love to hear from you. Contact us at 2612315@gmail.com & levi.erin@gmail.com.
By Erin Levi
English Editor