In the musical ‘Fiddler on The Roof’ Tevye’s wife, Golda, recites a long list of fulfilled domestic commitments, as proof, she loves her husband. Though Tevhe sheepishly acknowledges her testimony he remains unconvinced concluding,” it doesn’t change a thing…. but it’s nice to know”
Having read The Jewish World of Alexander Hamilton by Andrew Porwancher I identified with Tevye. It doesn’t change a thing but after two hundred years, it’s nice to know Alexander Hamilton was possibly Jewish.
There is no doubt, throughout his short life Hamilton, “the country’s favorite founder” and financial wizard, did not present himself as a Jew not even on his deathbed. But author Porwancher makes a case for Hamilton’s Jewish roots that colored his political career.
Hamilton’s mother Rachel Faucette, a Christian Huguenot was born in in 1729 on the British Caribbean Island of Nevis. In the 18th century Nevis was a hub for merchants invested in its lucrative sugarcane industry. One quarter of its population was Jewish; it had a synagogue, a cemetery and even a “Jew Street.” In Nevis, 1745, Rachel met Johan Levine, “a rich Danish Jew”. For the sake of the marriage, Rachel ‘probably’ converted to Judaism. Soon thereafter Levine accused funloving Rachel of “an unholy way of life” and threw her into prison for infidelity. The marriage ended! Once free, Rachel cohabited with James Hamilton father to baby Alexander born in 1754, ‘55 or ‘57 depending whose history book you read.
As befits a good Jewish Mom, Rachel registered little Alexander in a Jewish school where he learned Torah and read Hebrew books. Alexander was thirteen when Rachel died. Curiously, she was not buried in a Christian cemetery. Rachel’s death seems to have ended Hamilton’s Jewish identity. However Porwancher contends, throughout his life, Hamilton supported human rights policies especially favorable to Jews. Did young Hamilton, “who rarely alluded to his personal history” intentionally disguise his Jewish identity? Porwancher turns to the antisemitic climate in colonial America to support his speculative theory.
Though not as ubiquitous as its virile European iteration, 18th century America was riven with antisemitism. Few in number, American Jews were marginalized. The had little to no civic nor political clout seen as “crafty swindlers” and ‘fundamentally different.” Some founding fathers disdained Jews. They characterized them as “a hated and despised race,” considered its religion “defective.” And yet despite its inhospitable milieu, the politically ambitious Hamilton exalted Jews in the courts, had a long relationship with hazzan Gershom Seixas of Shearit Israel Synagogue, defended the rights of Jewish merchants and trading firms. Hamilton exercised justice and equal rights not only for Jews but for all. And that’s why I’m with Tevye the dairyman, “ it doesn’t change a thing… but, it’s nice to know” Hamilton may have had some Jewish DNA that nourished his wisdom.
