05/29/2026
Hereβs a true story:
Itβs July 4, 1776. The ink on the Declaration of Independence is still wet. And the first thing Congress does is appoint a committeeβBenjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adamsβto design a national seal.
Franklin proposed a picture of Moses parting the Red Sea. Jefferson wanted the Children of Israel led through the desert by the pillar of cloud and fire.
Congress didnβt go with these designs, but the fact that they proposed them tells you something. These men were steeped in the Torah (they called it the Hebrew Bible). James Madison studied Hebrew at Princeton. Yaleβs logo still has Hebrew on it today.
Iβm teaching a course called Sinai and Civics that tells the story of how Jewish ideas shaped Americaβs founding, from the Mayflower Compact to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
You donβt need any background in Jewish studies or American history to enjoy this. You just need curiosity.
Youβll walk away knowing a story about Americaβs relationship with Judaism that you wonβt stop telling people about.
Iβd love to have you join us.
JLI - Sinai and Civics
Four Wednesday Evenings in Farmington starting June 10, 2026
Four Mondays Evenings in West Hartford starting June 8, 2026
