Jonathan D. Sarna

Jonathan D. Sarna is University Professor and the Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University and chair of the Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program. He is also past president of the Association for Jewish Studies and chief historian of the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia. Author or editor of more than 30 books, his American Judaism: A History won six awards. His most recent book is the award-winning Lincoln & the Jews: A History (with Benjamin Shapell).

World map spray painted in white on a red brick wall

Is Judaism Still a World Religion?

Jonathan D. Sarna

In a dramatic shift, the Jewish people has gone from being a worldwide people to being a first-world people.

White Star of David emrboidered on navy cloth alongside five pointed stars as if depicting an altered version of the American flag

How American Independence Democratized Judaism, Too

Jonathan D. Sarna

The values of the American Revolution – liberty, freedom, and especially democracy – profoundly affected the small colonial Jewish community and laid the groundwork for Reform Judaism.
Jewish History

The Redemption of Ulysses S. Grant

Jonathan D. Sarna
As a Union general, Grant expelled Jews from his war zone; as president of the United States of America, he set a new national tone that helped usher in a brief "golden age" in the history of the American Jewish community. This year-the 150th anniversary of the Civil War-is an