George Washington Institute for Religious Freedom

News

Here are a few stories in the news about the George Washington Institute for Religious Freedom and on the topic of religious freedom in general.

George Washington’s birthday reconsidered

By John L. Loeb, Jr.
Courtesy: The Star-Telegram
Published February 6, 2015

Let’s give his birthday back to George Washington.

Is there some timely reason? Yes.

Since 1879, Washington’s Birthday, February 22, has been celebrated as a Federal Holiday—although, in 1968, as part of a grand plan to create three-day “holiday” weekends, it was pegged to the third Monday of the month.

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Hanukkah’s “Don’t Tread On Me” Message Is Universal In Its Appeal

By Eric Rosenberg
Courtesy: Forbes Magazine
Published December 12, 2012

The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, which is celebrated this week, is compelling for Jews and non-Jews alike because of its clarion call to religious liberty. Anyone remotely versed in American political thought will recognize the spirit of the Hanukkah story, with its “don’t tread on me” quest to worship as one chooses without fear of retribution, in the language of the U.S. Constitution.

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Washington’s Letter Is Star of Show

Missive to Jews Highlights Exhibit on Religious Freedom

By Paul Berger
Courtesy: The Forward
Published June 29, 2012

Imagine a country where Jews are prevented from serving as lawyers, where men must swear on the New Testament to enter public office and where people are denied the vote because of their faith. Welcome to America during the late 1700s, when a republic was forged in the heat of revolutionary ideas such as liberty and freedom, but where such freedoms could often be strictly limited.

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National Museum of American Jewish History Announces Loan of Original George Washington Letter to Jews of Newport from Morris Morgenstern Foundation

Courtesy: The National Museum of American Jewish History
Published May 21, 2012

Philadelphia, PA – Next to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, it may be the most important 337 words in American history, and beginning next month, it will be on public display for the first time in decades – right here in America’s birthplace.

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