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A Forgotten Founding Father and America’s Uptick in Antisemitism

Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2024
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by Outside Contributor
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Americans remain strongly divided about the conflict in and around Israel. However, is that reason enough for 42 percent of us to either have friends or family who dislike Jews or find it socially acceptable for a close family member to support Hamas? For antisemitic assaults to increase by 360 percent after the attack in Israel? For nearly half of Jewish Americans to feel compelled to change their behavior last year for fear of antisemitism?

Maybe too much education about the Holocaust has included both “denial and distortion,” as one study found, with some people even believing Jews were responsible. Or perhaps we are forgetting that, free from the oppression of individual tyrants or collectivist governments, Jews have played a significant part in the success of the United States. Like Founding Father Haym Salomon.

Salomon, born in Poland in 1740, came to America because of Russian aggression and became a broker for international merchants. Philadelphia’s historic district has a street sign dedicated to him. He joined the Sons of Liberty, a secret society devoted to undermining the British. He was captured and, during his 18 months in prison, helped countless American prisoners escape. Later, after being sentenced to death, he escaped.

In 1781, Congress was broken, and George Washington’s troops were starving. The troops were ready to desert because they had not been paid (American paper money was worthless at this point). Robert Morris, the finance chief for the colonies, told Washington that Congress didn’t have the money, so Washington contacted Salomon. Within days, Salomon raised $20,000 ($13 million today) and Washington could go to Yorktown and win the decisive battle of the Revolution.

In short, it’s possible that no Salomon, no United States.

It can be argued that Jews have contributed disproportionately to their numbers to America’s success, in sports terms, “fighting above their weight.”

Perhaps it’s because ever since the Israelites — led by Moses — escaped Egyptian slavery, Jewish culture has emphasized that the best way to accumulate capital is in the mind. They could not be forbidden to own this type of capital, and it did not need to be carried during their difficult diaspora throughout the world.

Yet, Americans have not always treated them well, partly due to our educational issues. In 1939, the United States turned 937 desperate Jewish passengers from the German ocean liner St Louis away from Miami. President Franklin Roosevelt argued it was a threat to national security. At the end of World War II, with millions more Jews looking for new homes, Americans allowed in only 12,849 under President Harry Truman’s directive.

While Truman is mainly regarded by history as a supporter of the new nation of Israel, he was known behind the scenes for antisemitic comments like “I am put out by the Jews. Jesus Christ couldn’t please them when he was here on earth, so how could anyone expect I would have any luck?” 

Apparently, attitudes like these haven’t changed much among some Americans.

That would help explain why antisemitism is growing even amid contributions from Jews who have founded Amazon, Comcast, Groupon, Estee Lauder, Dell, Lyft, Open AI, Budget, LinkedIn, Google and Facebook. Or from some of our most famous scientists: Albert Einstein, Richard Feynman, Robert Oppenheimer and Carl Sagan. There are Supreme Court justices and one of the world’s greatest economists, Milton Friedman.

Jewish movie directors have given us “12 Angry Men,” “Ghostbusters,” “Casablanca,” “Spider-Man,” “Men in Black,” “Cool Hand Luke,” and “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.” Stan Lee created Marvel Comics, leading to a host of popular movies. Many famous actors have Jewish heritage, including Harrison Ford, Elizabeth Taylor, Natalie Portman, Jack Black, Jake Gyllenhaal, Scarlet Johansson and Seth Rogen.

As for Salomon, he died in 1785, his family penniless, while owed hundreds of thousands of dollars by the government. Legend has it that when George Washington asked him what he wanted in return for his selfless sacrifices, Saloman said nothing for himself but rather something for his people. Thus, the story goes, the first American flag had 13 stars arranged in the Star of David.

Antisemitism ought to be 100 percent unacceptable in this country, no matter the reason — including ignorance.

Richard Williams is the board chairman of the Center for Truth in Science. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.

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Spitfire?
Spitfire?
1 month ago

There are many Jews in politics who bring disdain upon themselves.Schumer,Nadler,Fife,Bloomberg,SOROS,Adorable Doug,Kamala husband and I believe our current A G is a son of Abraham.The afore mentioned will not even support Israel in it’s hour of need.Dispicable!!!

Spitfire?
Spitfire?
1 month ago

“I will bless those who bless you,I will curse those who curse you”.THE LORD JESUS.

e brown
e brown
17 days ago

I found a children’s book and so “accidentally” learned about Haym Salomon as an adult (don’t remember hearing about him in school). I was impressed and had my son do a report on him in elementary school. He was a true hero and patriot, and yes, probably did save our nation in its infancy. His family was never repaid by the government. However, he was in good company with many of the early patriots who died penniless and whose families suffered for the greater cause.
As far as shiploads of Jews being turned away from American ports during and after WW2, again, I only learned of this as an adult. It is an embarassing shame to our nation. Beyond being simply bigotry/prejudice, we do well to remember that God blesses those nations that bless Israel’s people.

J. FARLEY
J. FARLEY
17 days ago

What happened to America’s founding principle that ALL MEN (Women) —- We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men/women created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights etc., the left is making a mockery of our Constitution, We need to get America back to believing in Life, Liberty, and Justice for all, and soon or we will fall into darkness for a thousand years.
God bless America and God Bless President Trump!

Diane
Diane
17 days ago

Great article! Well done!

Paul
Paul
17 days ago

The Jewish people were in the Military fighting against the NAZIS.
GOD BLESS ISRAEL!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Robert Zuccaro
Robert Zuccaro
17 days ago

Buy all these terrorist-loving, antisemitic college kids a cell phone… courtesy of Israel!

Vanessa
Vanessa
17 days ago

This is a wonderful article. And it is a shame that our children are not learning about people in history anymore. In fact I don’t hear any mention about history in our schools anymore either. Last I remember hearing about history is that it’s been rewritten, deleted, and replaced with attitudes and actions that we are seeing now on the news. So sad. I stand with Israel and pray for our country and theirs. I’m glad to hear that the Ten Commandments are going to be displayed at our schools again. I remember when prayer was removed from my school and the loss of saying Our pledge of Allegiance to our Nation. God please help our country to keep the commitments to Israel.

kit
kit
17 days ago

jealousy of jews success

Jeff
Jeff
17 days ago

I would not be so quick to call out Truman for that comment on Jews; Truman was likely referring to one person in particular, Morgenthau, who he had some tough negotiation with.
Do not forget that the State Dept advised Truman NOT to recognize Israel but Truman did back in 1951.

Steve Greenwell
Steve Greenwell
17 days ago

You forgot all the comedians: Jack Benny, George Burns, Ed Wynn, Bert Lahr, Woody Allen, among others.

Jeannie Huppert
Jeannie Huppert
5 hours ago

To love or hate Israel ~ This is NOT a “popularity contest”. “Peer pressure”, as in “I will like/follow who my friends do” hold ZERO, NADA, ZILCH WATER! God Gave us COMMANDS, NOT “suggestions”. With lots of God’s Promises & Commands He Included, “IF you obey me you will be blessed. IF you DISobey me you will be cursed.” DEUTERONOMY 28:1 – 68; LEVITICUS 26:1 – 46; & MANY other Passages in God’s Bible.

papaYEC
papaYEC
16 days ago

Amen

Howard
Howard
17 days ago

The posting on the article appears to be incorrect also.

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