JLS | From the Inquisition to Religious Freedom: The Story of Jews and the U.S. Constitution

From the Inquisition to Religious Freedom: The Story of Jews and the U.S. Constitution

As the United States commemorates its 250th anniversary amid rising antisemitism, Dr. Amon explores the historical roots of American religious freedom and the Jewish experience that preceded it. From the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisitions to the emergence of Jewish communities in early America, he will trace the journey from religious persecution in the Old World to liberty of conscience in the New. Drawing on correspondence, constitutional debates, and the Jewish presence in colonial America, this program examines how this legacy informed the Founders and helped shape the Bill of Rights.

Speaker:
Dr. Isaac Amon, WashU Law