America at 250: The Jewish Contribution to America's Independence

America's 250th birthday offers a chance to reflect on the ideals that shaped the nation—and the role Jews have played in its story from the very beginning. In this special Independence Day episode, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Jon Frankel discuss the significance of America's founding for Jewish communities seeking freedom, equality, and opportunity. From Jonas Phillips and the Declaration of Independence to family immigration stories and the enduring promise of religious liberty, they explore why America's founding remains deeply meaningful for American Jews today. Then, Dan Tadmor, President and CEO of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, joins the conversation to share the fascinating story behind the museum's new exhibition, The First Salute. He reveals how Jewish merchants on the Caribbean island of St. Eustatius helped supply the American Revolution, the little-known Jewish contributions to the Patriot cause, and how the Weitzman Museum is reimagining the American Jewish narrative for a new generation. As America celebrates 250 years, this conversation examines the intersection of faith, freedom, immigration, and identity—and asks what lessons the nation's founding still offers today.   The Weitzman Museum:https://theweitzman.org/   Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove: https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove https://x.com/RabbiCosgrove Park Avenue Synagogue:https://www.pasyn.org https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/# Jon Frankel: https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.