The Founding Father, and the Children of Abraham

What his admirers received from Washington—in particular, his replies to three separate groups of American Jews—were timeless and moving decrees of the American essence, succinct and gorgeous articulations of the unalienable expectations to be had in this unique land. Marked by artful expressions of the Creator, Washington’s letters to “Hebrew Congregations” repeated the confident assessment: that what was being experienced was a genesis of decency and palpable goodness, foretelling a future of “a great and happy people.” What gave all of this promise-making credence was that it came from the Great Man himself—a man of war whose pen proved as mighty as his sword.