Forging a More Perfect Union: American Jews and Democracy with Professor Lauren Strauss

Journey through the history of American Jewish political activism in the 20th and 21st centuries.

In this 250th year since American independence, Professor Lauren Strauss goes beyond theoretical discussions about the nation’s founding to focus on the many ways that Jewish Americans have engaged politically. From the streets to the courts to Capitol Hill, Jews in the U.S.—especially in Washington, DC—have helped to redefine what it means to live in a democracy. 

Presented in partnership with Moment Magazine.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Lauren Strauss teaches Jewish history and literature at American University in Washington, DC, and is Director of Undergraduate Studies for AU’s Jewish Studies Program.  A scholar of American Jewish political and cultural history, Strauss is completing her book Painting the Town Red: Jewish Visual Artists, Yiddish Culture, and Radical Politics in Interwar New York.  Her next book will explore the political activism of DC Jews and the relationship between American Jews and democracy.  She lectures widely, is a commentator at Jewish cultural events and in the press, and has served as historian for several museum exhibits.  She is also active in “shared society” groups that focus on Arab-Jewish relations in Israel, and in Black-Jewish dialogue groups in the DC area.