On July 4th, the United States of America will mark 250 years of independence. Beyond the flags and fireworks, this momentous milestone holds particular resonance for the 7.5 million Jews who call America home. Here are the top 10 reasons why:
1. A “Kingdom of Kindness”
While today the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”1 may seem self-evident, for the over three million Jews who found refuge on American soil after fleeing pogroms and persecution, America was nothing short of a miracle. Finally, there was a sovereign nation built on kindness, justice, and morality, where individual rights and freedoms were guaranteed to all.
In America, Jews weren't just allowed to survive; they thrived, and in the process, helped shape the country itself, becoming the world’s largest center of Jewish life.
The Rebbe, who lost immediate family members in the Holocaust and was himself welcomed to American shores after fleeing Nazi persecution, captured this perfectly when he dubbed America “malchut shel chesed,” a kingdom of kindness.2
2. Freedom of Religion
Beyond providing a physical safe harbor for Jews, America allowed its new citizens to finally practice religion freely. The Founding Fathers sought to safeguard against any form of religious intolerance, building a country whose institutions fundamentally enabled Jewish life to thrive.3
Between Lag B'omer parades celebrating Jewish identity, public menorahs in virtually every major American city, and the ability to walk the halls of power wearing a kippah, in America, Jews are finally free to live open and proud Jewish lives.
3. Abundance
Although the “Goldene Medina” (“Golden Country”) came with its own set of challenges, the material abundance and economic opportunity it offered—and continues to offer—provides people from all backgrounds the chance to achieve stability, longer life expectancy, and a higher quality of life.
These are not ends in themselves, but rather means to serve G‑d. In the conducive climate of America, Jews were afforded opportunities to perform many mitzvot that were near impossible in the countries they came from, including access to abundant kosher food, readily available Judaica, unprecedented amounts of published Torah material, and the ability to give tzedakah generously.4
4. Nation Under G‑d
The founding of America was predicated on belief in G‑d. Proud and unashamed, the Founding Fathers ingrained their deep-seated belief into everyday life and society, including the words famously inscribed on every piece of US currency: “In G‑d We Trust.”
The very basis of Americanism is that G‑d’s providence extends to all the minutiae of a person’s civic and mundane affairs.5
5. Superpower of Peace
As a global superpower, America has utilized its resources to promote peace, stability, and international cooperation, as well as to extend aid and support to countries in need. Beginning with the founding of the United Nations in New York, and continuing through its post–Cold War efforts to establish an “era of peace,” America has focused on preventing war, reducing weapons of mass destruction, and fostering global harmony.
The U.S. global aspiration toward a peaceful world is reflective of the Messianic era when “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation.”6 7
6. Role Model of Kindness
As a country founded on belief in G‑d and principles of morality, justice, and generosity, America is a role model of kindness and moral conduct for the entire world. Beyond its aid and assistance to impoverished and war-torn countries, as well as its response to major global crises, the United States encourages morality and justice throughout the world.
As a global superpower and energy leader, not subject to foreign manipulation, the U.S. can share its moral values, including the Seven Noahide Laws rooted in the belief of G‑d, with the nations of the world.8
7. Standing With Israel
While Israel can never rely on foreign support and must make its own security decisions, America has proven to be its strongest ally — vetoing hostile UN resolutions, supplying ammunition, and providing financial backing, often standing alone in a sea of international hostility.
8. Broadmindedness
Unlike other rigid and close-minded societies, Americans are known for their broad vision and openness of spirit that encourage people to innovate, take risks, and dream on a large scale.
The Rebbe empowered his followers to channel this uniquely American “breitkeit” — expansiveness and broad-mindedness — into spreading Judaism to the masses and inspiring global revolutions of Torah and mitzvot that would have otherwise seemed impossible.9
9. The ‘Lower Half’
The Giving of the Torah at Sinai took place in what is known in chasidic literature10 as the “upper hemisphere,” while the “lower hemisphere,” namely America, was a place where G‑d’s presence through Torah Judaism had never been revealed.
The settlement of Jews in America, climaxing with the Rebbe’s arrival in 1941 and the spiritual awakening he spearheaded, set in motion the purpose of Creation—to bring G‑d’s light to the entirety of the globe,11 heralding the Messianic age when “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of G‑d.”12 13
10. The Center of the Jewish Diaspora
After six generations of Chabad presence in Europe, it was ultimately in the United States where the Rebbe launched the movement that would change the face of world Jewry. From its headquarters in New York, over 6,500 couples set out to establish thousands of centers, schools, and educational institutions across more than 100 countries.
Home to one of the largest Jewish populations in the world, America is considered both the final stop of the Jewish exile14 and the place where the Redemption will begin.15
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