http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/novelists-view-world/2012/dec/12/its-good-be-jewish-christmas-or-any-day-america/
WASHINGTON, December 12, 2012 – Irving Berlin wrote White Christmas, the most popular Christmas song of all time. Berlin came from Russia. His original name was Israel Beilin.
Emma Lazarus wrote the sonnet The New Colossus that welcomes refugees seeking shelter: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” This is now enshrined in the Statue of Liberty, and remains a beacon to the world. Emma Lazarus was the daughter of Moses and Esther Lazarus.
Biblical Moses, in marble, stands throughout Washington’s government buildings as the model of justice, righteousness and freedom. From Moses in the flesh we have the call from Leviticus that tolls forth from our Liberty Bell: “Proclaim liberty throughout the LAND unto all the inhabitants thereof.”
The Jewish influence upon America is indelible. Upon this good American earth Jews and Christians live in harmony as in few other places. Throughout the generations, Jews overseas packed their bags as swiftly as did Christians to escape prejudice, intolerance and persecution. In so many places outside America it is best to keep silent lest you be overheard and denounced.
This place, America, is the House of Refuge.
The Puritans fled discrimination to embark upon an Exodus of their own. They viewed the Israelites as ancestors. King James I was their Pharaoh. The Atlantic Ocean was their Red Sea. They landed upon this, their New Canaan. Washington was their Moses. John Adams was their Joshua.