American Jewry

Meet the Jews who played pivotal roles in American history

Jews have played pivotal roles throughout key moments in American history. Throughout 2026, monthly online conversations with Jewish historians will journey across American and Jewish history.

A group of young Austrian immigrants wave to the Statue of Liberty upon their arrival in America aboard the S.S. Harding. The 50 Jewish children, who were greeted by their new adoptive families, were fleeing Nazi persecution in their homeland.
Clergy of Congregation Shearith Israel in Texas perform the annual Purim spiel on March 1, 2026.

At this Dallas synagogue, Purim comes with fog machines, zip lines and Broadway flair

People protest against the nuclear deal reached with Iran before U.S. Vice President Joe Biden meets with Jewish community leaders at the David Posnack Jewish Community Center to discuss the deal on Sept. 3, 2015 in Davie, Florida.

Why trusting physics, not politics, once kept Iran in check - opinion

Rev. Jesse Jackson attends Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., August 20, 2024.

Jesse Jackson helped legitimize the antisemitism poisoning America today - opinion


Is antisemitism inevitable? A disturbing old-new view of Jew-hatred - opinion

We have to be prepared for the possibility that democracy will fail the Jews.

 A person holds a placard during a demonstration against antisemitism, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Brussels, Belgium December 10, 2023.

A defunct synagogue, reminder of a once-proud community, collapses in Pennsylvania’s coal region

Mahanoy City’s first Jewish congregation dates back to 1888, having laid the cornerstone for the former Beth Israel Synagogue in 1923.

Beth Israel of Mahanoy City, seen here in the 1950s, was built by Jewish merchants and businesspeople who served the area's burgeoning coal industry.

Frederick Wiseman, social institution documentary filmaker, dies at 96

Wiseman directed 45 films and some theatrical productions in France. His experiences of antisemitism greatly influenced his documentary career.

Frederick Wiseman attends the "Law And Order" Photocall at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 16, 2024 in Cannes, France.

Senior Jewish American leader William Daroff urges conservatives to confront Tucker Carlson

Daroff described what he called a deepened bond between Israel and the United States since the October 7 attacks

Tucker Carlson

Investigators continue search for Nancy Guthrie, analyze discarded glove

The New York Post on Wednesday posted video and photos of FBI personnel taking possession of a glove they had found discarded on a roadside about 1.5 miles from the elder Guthrie's home

Savannah Guthrie's elderly mother has been missing for more than a week.

Unredacted Epstein files, deposition plans bring Jewish philanthropist Leslie Wexner into spotlight

Federal documents and a looming deposition have intensified scrutiny of Ohio billionaire Leslie Wexner over his decades-long connection with Jeffrey Epstein.

Leslie Wexner, left, and Jeffrey Epstein were close for years. Epstein's scandal has dogged the billionaire Jewish philanthropist.

US synagogues face a terrible choice: Collaborate with ICE or risk our own safety - opinion

Synagogues must decide whether to comply with ICE's terms tied to DHS security grants or uphold their values by refusing to cooperate with enforcement actions.

Synagogue security funds and practices can come with tradeoffs, Jewish leaders say.

US Jews need an Identity Zionist intervention - opinion

American Jewish leaders, teachers, rabbis, and parents must go back to basics – learning what Zionism means, then teaching it to the next generation.

THE ANNUAL Celebrate Israel parade takes place along Fifth Avenue in New York City, in 2017.

Jewish leaders call for prayers for Nancy Guthrie after FBI releases man from interrogation

Leaders from Jewish communities across the US rallied prayers and awareness efforts for Nancy Guthrie, while some explained how the Torah prohibits kidnappings.

Savannah Guthrie's elderly mother has been missing for more than a week.

Anti-Israel mayor Zohran Mamdani challenges future of New York's Jewish community - opinion

With a mayor hostile to Israel now running America’s largest metropolis, Jewish groups need to take action

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during the Jews for Racial and Economic Justice’s Mazals Gala before his election in New York City. Despite his outspoken criticism of Israel, some Jewish groups supported his candidacy.