Why did the Hebrew congregation write to George Washington?

Answer 1

The Hebrew congregation wrote to George Washington to express their gratitude and support for his leadership and to seek assurance of religious freedom and equal rights for Jews in the newly formed United States. At the time, religious tolerance and freedom were not universally granted, and the congregation wanted to ensure that Jews would have the same rights and protections as other religious groups. The letter, known as the Touro Synagogue letter, was written by Moses Seixas, a leader of the Hebrew congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, and was delivered to President Washington in 1790. Washington's response, known as the "Letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport," is considered a landmark document in American history, as it emphasized the principles of religious freedom and tolerance inscribed in the Constitution.