Roger Williams and the Jews

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

This is not a statement from Roger Williams, but one written by Evelyn Hall about Voltaire’s strong belief in free speech. However, it perfectly expresses how Williams felt about Jews (and lots of others, too).

David Adelman, a founder of the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association (RIJHA), wrote about Williams in volume 1.3 (June 1955) of the RIJH Notes. According to Adelman, time and time again Williams referred to "Jews, Turks, Papists, Protestants and pagans," a strange mixture, as by “Turks” he means Muslims, “Papists” are Catholics, Protestants refers to those European Christians who separated from the Catholic church and pagans, well, are pagans. Adelman paraphrases another author when he says that while Williams believed these were “false religions,” he defended their rights to their own beliefs (of course, they could change their minds!).

But, Adelman continues, as for Jews in general, Williams worked to have them readmitted to England (they were expelled in 1290). In addition, he quotes many of Williams’ speeches, where he advocated for the rights of Jews. This example is especially strong:

Is there not more danger (in all matters of trust in this world) from an hypocrite, a dissembler, a turncoat in his religion (from the fear or favor of men), than from a resolved Jew, Turk or Papist, who holds firm unto his principles?

The RIJHA focuses on the history of Jews in Rhode Island, and, as its mission states:

To procure, collect and preserve books, records, pamphlets, letters, manuscripts, prints, photographs, painting and any other historical material relating to the history of the Jews of RI; to encourage and promote the study of such history by lectures and otherwise; and to publish and diffuse information as to such history.

Since 1951 the association has followed that mission, and in this, its 75th year, it continues to honor its founders and their vision. Visit them at the JCC or on its website, rijha.org

Submitted by the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association.