We must be conscious of what is happening in Israel. But we are also all Americans, and the United States has a history from its inception of being good to Jews. While we may be seeing a change in that demeanor right now, it is appropriate on this day to remember the blessings of being Americans.

The actual name of this holiday is "Washington's Birthday", and it was created in 1879. In 1971, as part of The Uniform Monday Holiday Act, it became celebrated on the third Monday in February. Since many states had been celebrating Lincoln's Birthday on February 12, the holiday came to be known as Presidents' Day, and honors all past Presidents. But it's focus still remains on our Founding Father of George Washington... a man who recognized the importance of Jews to this nation.

Washington gave the greatest of honors and respect to his friend Hayim Solomon, who was the most important fundraiser and financier for the American Revolution. Solomon personally raised over $650,000 during the war (over 25 million dollars today) for the war effort; and Washington credited Solomon with the victory at the decisive Battle of Yorktown. When Washington realized that the revolutionary effort would be destroyed at Yorktown without more money for supplies, he said four words: "Send for Hayim Solomon". Solomon delivered, and Washington was eternally grateful, even making sure that the Magen David became part of the Seal of the United States (just look at a dollar bill to see it).

And Washington continued to support the free exercise and respect for Judaism throughout his life. In his famous letter to Congregation Mikveh Israel in Georgia in 1789 he wrote, "May the same wonder-working Deity who long since delivering the Hebrews from their Egyptian oppressors, planted them in the promised land — whose providential agency has lately been conspicuous in establishing these United States as an independent nation — still continue to water them with the dews of Heaven and to make the inhabitants of every denomination participate in the temporal and spiritual blessing of that people whose God is Jehovah.”

Washington appreciated what the Jewish citizenry gave to this nation; and understood the historical truth that there is a direct correlation between how any nation treated its Jewish citizens and how well that nation fared. As a biblical scholar, he always remembered these words of God to Israel:

"I will bless those who bless you. And I will curse him who curses you." (Gen. 12:3)

May all political leaders today remember these words; and choose to support Israel and the Jewish people in these challenging times.

Source - Rabbi Michael Barclay