Jewish history of God Bless America inspires patriotic applause against Jew-hatred at National Mall rally.
Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, the only non-Christian speaker at Sunday’s mass prayer rally on the National Mall, drew strong applause after declaring that antisemitism is fundamentally un-American.
Soloveichik, who leads Congregation Shearith Israel in New York City and serves as a senior fellow at the Tikvah think tank, addressed the “Rededicate 250” gathering, which seeks to place faith at the center of America’s semiquincentennial celebrations.
In his remarks, he highlighted the Jewish story behind “God Bless America,” written by Irving Berlin, a Jewish immigrant who had witnessed violent persecution in Russia before finding refuge in the United States. Soloveichik explained that Berlin revived the song in 1938, as Nazi hatred intensified in Europe, with its radio premiere coming just after Kristallnacht.
He said the song became more than music. It became a national prayer carried by American soldiers who fought tyranny, defeated evil, and helped liberate Europe. Soloveichik then connected that history to today’s rising hostility toward Jews, stating that antisemitism has no place in America’s identity or values.
The message received loud applause from the crowd, reinforcing a powerful pro-Jewish and pro-American theme at the event.
While some Jewish voices debated the rally’s religious and political tone, Soloveichik focused on unity, liberty, prayer, and America’s historic role as a haven for Jews fleeing persecution.
