Tolerance and Identity: Jews in Early New York

Tolerance and Identity tells a quintessentially New York story of immigration, diversity, and opportunity in a pluralistic society. Emboldened by Dutch ideals of religious tolerance, New York's early Jewish community gained the right to participate fully in the city’s political, economic, and social life while maintaining its own sense of identity. Through original documents, artifacts, and portraits, the exhibition brings into focus the power of New York's tradition of tolerance to create opportunity.

The exhibition is staged in celebration of the 350th anniversary of the arrival of the first group of Jews in North America. A related exhibition, Greetings from Home: 350 Years of American Jewish Life, will be on view at the American Jewish Historical Society.

Major funding for Tolerance and Identity is provided by the John L. Loeb, Jr. Foundation, and Roger and Susan Hertog. Additional support comes from the Roy J. Zuckerberg Family Foundation, The David Berg Foundation, The Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation, John L. Vogelstein, Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Goelet, the Golden Family Foundation, Donald L. Saunders, Betsy and Wally Stern, the Zilkha Foundation, the Gilder Foundation, Norman S. Benzaquen, and others.