The colonies were overwhelmingly Christian, with Jews representing just one out of every 1,000 colonists and 0.1 percent of the population. When Congress issued the call for prayer and fasting, it invoked the name of Jesus Christ. Yet in addition to the churches that held services that day, a synagogue did so as well: Shearith Israel in New York City. Its cantor, Gershom Seixas, a member of a prominent and extensive Sephardic family, recited Jewish prayers for the patriot cause.
In the following decade, after the colonies had won independence, Seixas continued to insist that Jews be included with their fellow citizens. Having relocated to Philadelphia, he opposed a practice common in multiple states, including Pennsylvania: Public officeholders had to swear an oath to uphold Protestant Christianity. Though his advocacy was initially unsuccessful, Pennsylvania ultimately broke with the practice in 1790, as did other states before and after.
Read Full Article »