Conclusion
Manfred Anson (b. 1922)
Statue of Liberty Hanukkah
Lamp.
New Jersey, design 1985,
fabrication 2004
Cast brass
Gift of Dr. Aaron J. Feingold in loving memory of his father
Saul Feingold; and Peachy and Mark Levy.
Hebraic
Section (234)
|
Three hundred and fifty years ago
an ancient people first took haven in a new land. From those beginnings
until today, Jewish life in America has presented both opportunities
and challenges. In the early years, Jews fought to be treated like
everyone else, seeking the "equal footing" that was theirs by law
but not necessarily in practice. More recently, like other minorities
and ethnic groups, they have asserted their right to be different
and to have those differences accommodated and accepted by society-at-large.
Perhaps the greatest challenge faced
by the Jewish community has been to find ways of maintaining its
group identity in an open and free society. To this end, American
Jewry has created uniquely American Jewish religious movements,
institutions, and associations suited to an ever-changing American
scene. When millions of East European Jews arrived between 1881
and 1924, American Jews set up networks of organizations to settle
and "Americanize" the new arrivals. And when confronted with prejudice
and discrimination, Jews responded by creating organizations that
fought for tolerance and acceptance.
Fifty years ago, the American Jewish
community celebrated its tercentenary. At the culminating event
of that celebration, President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered a
stirring address in which he called the arrival of the Jews to
New Amsterdam in 1654 "an event meaningful not only to the Jews
of America, but to all Americans--of all faiths,
of all national origins." Then Irving Berlin, himself a Russian
Jewish immigrant, sang his patriotic hymn, "God Bless America." In
so doing, he put into words the deep gratitude that he felt towards
the United States, which had been to him, and to countless new
Americans like him, first a haven and then a home.
Irving Berlin (1888-1989)
"God Bless America"
Holograph lyrics
Irving Berlin Collection
Music Division (231A)
Copyright 1938, 1939 by Irving Berlin
Copyright renewed 1965, 1966
by Irving Berlin
Copyright assigned to Winthrop Rutherfurd, Jr., Anne Phipps Sidamon-Eristoff,
and Theodore R. Jackson as Trustees of the God Bless America Fund. International
copyright secured.
All rights reserved.
|
Irving Berlin's "God Bless America" in
His Own Hand
Irving Berlin, who emigrated from Siberia in 1893, originally
composed "God Bless America" in 1918, but set it
aside. In the fall of 1938, as war was again threatening
Europe, Irving Berlin decided to write a "peace" song.
He recalled "God Bless America" written twenty
years earlier. With some alterations to reflect the different
state of the world, "God Bless America" was introduced
by singer Kate Smith during her radio broadcast on Armistice
Day, 1938. Berlin told reporters he wrote "God Bless
America" to express his gratitude to America for the
opportunities it had given him.
|
The Statue of Liberty Hanukkah Lamp
This Hanukkah lamp incorporates Statue of Liberty figurines
as holders for the candles that are lit to mark the eight
days of Hanukkah, Judaism's annual commemoration of the second
century B.C.E. victory of the Maccabbees over the Syrians.
In linking America's quintessential symbol of freedom and
opportunity with Judaism's celebration of freedom from oppression,
this menorah represents a perfect metaphor for the twin sensibilities
that give American Judaism its unique character.
|
Manfred Anson (b. 1922)
Statue of Liberty Hanukkah Lamp.
New Jersey, design 1985,
fabrication 2004
Cast brass
Gift of Dr. Aaron J. Feingold in loving memory of his father Saul Feingold;
and Peachy and Mark Levy.
Hebraic
Section (234)
|
Three Annniversary Medals
Marking the 250th anniversary of Jewish settlement in America
a medal was presented to President Theodore Roosevelt "in
recognition of his humane endeavors on behalf of the Jews
oppressed in other lands." The medal commemorating the 300th
anniversary bore the inscription: "Man's Opportunities and
Responsibilities Under Freedom." On the obverse of this newly
created medal to celebrate the 350th anniversary
is an extended excerpt from George Washington's reply to
Newport's Hebrew Congregation: "May the Children of the Stock
of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and
enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants; while every
one shall sit under his own vine and fig tree, and there
shall be none to make him afraid."
|
Isidore Konti (1862-1938).
250th anniversary commemorative
medal
[1905].
Reverse side
Bronze struck medal
Courtesy of the HUC Skirball Cultural Center Museum Collection, Los Angeles.
Gift of Helen D. Golden (235)
|
Nancy Dryfoos (b. 1937).
300th anniversary
commemorative medal, 1954.
Reverse side
Bronze struck medal.
Hebraic Section (236)
|
Dana Krinsky
(b. 1969).
350th anniversary commemorative
medal, 2004.
Reverse side
Bronze struck medal.
Gift of Mel Wacks.
Hebraic Section (237A)
|
|
The
Library of Congress >> Exhibitions
