The National Archives Presents Program on Jewish Supreme Court Justices, May 4
Press Release · Thursday, April 20, 2017

Washington, DC

Jewish Justices of the Supreme Court: From Brandeis to Kagan

The National Archives will host a book talk and discussion titled: “The Jewish Justices of the Supreme Court: From Brandeis to Kagan,” on Thursday, May 4, at 7 p.m. This event will be held in the William G. McGowan Theater, and is free and open to the public. Attendees should use the Special Events entrance on Constitution Avenue at 7th Street, NW.  The building is Metro accessible on the Yellow and Green lines, Archives/Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter station. Reservations are recommended and can be made online.  The event will stream live on YouTube.  

Author David Dalin will speak about the eight Jewish men and women who have served as justices of the Supreme Court: Louis D. Brandeis, Benjamin Cardozo, Felix Frankfurter, Arthur Goldberg, Abe Fortas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, and Elena Kagan. Topics include anti-Semitism, the changing role of Jews within the American legal profession, and the justices’ views and judicial opinions. Former Solicitor General Seth Waxman will join the conversation. A book signing follows the program.  This event is Presented in partnership with the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington. and the Supreme Court Historical Society.

In Jewish Justices of the Supreme Court, From Brandeis to Kagan, David Dalin explores the relationship these Jewish justices had with the presidents who appointed them, examines the anti-semitism some of the justices encountered in their ascent within the legal profession before their appointment, and the role that anti-semitism played in the attendant political debates and Senate confirmation battles.

David Dalin, historian and rabbi, is the author, coauthor or editor of 11 books, including Religion and State in the American Jewish Experience (coauthored with Jonathan D. Sarna) and The Presidents of the United States and the Jews. His articles and book reviews have appeared in publications including: American Jewish History, Commentary, Modern Judaism, the Weekly Standard, the American Jewish Year Book, and, the Jewish Review of Books.

Seth Waxman is a partner at the firm of WilmerHale, where he specializes in Supreme Court, appellate, and complex civil and criminal litigation, and in advising clients with multifaceted legal and public policy challenges. He served as the 41st Solicitor General of the United States, from 1997 until January 2001. Prior to his confirmation as Solicitor General, Professor Waxman served in several other senior positions in the United States government, including Acting Deputy Attorney General.