Several months ago, I did something a little bold—I had the chutzpah to send a blind email to someone who had never heard of me. That someone was professional genealogist and D.A.R. member, Ellen Shindelman Kowitt.
At the time, I was preparing to release a new book—a Jewish Colonial Love Story of the American Revolution. Connecting with a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) seemed the right course of action! By the way, the organization is a non-profit, non-political volunteer women’s service organization founded in 1890. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it is dedicated to historic preservation, education, and patriotism.
I had no introduction to offer, no mutual acquaintances, and no reason to expect a response. I simply hoped she might be willing to read Kindle the Light of Liberty, my novel about Jewish patriots during the American Revolution.
To my delight, she not only responded—she read the book. Her generous words meant more than I can adequately express:
“Often invisible to history, this imaginative tribute depicts the complexities of one young Jewish woman’s life in Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War. I enjoyed this engaging story transporting readers back in time.“
Receiving that endorsement from someone whose life’s work is devoted to Jewish genealogy and early American history was an honor.
As I explored Ellen’s work, I also became fascinated by another story entirely—her family’s remarkable journey, which inspired the creation of her company, Sole Searching. The story of Yosef Shindelman and the shoes he crafted immediately reminded me of Benjamin Wachsman and the candles he lovingly produced in my fictional novel. There is something profoundly moving about ordinary craftsmen whose work quietly illuminates extraordinary family histories.
But that is a conversation for another day!
Today, we’re turning our attention to the American Revolution—to the Daughters of the American Revolution, the organization’s Jewish Specialty Research Committee, and the often-overlooked Jewish patriots whose contributions helped shape the birth of our nation.
HOST: Ellen, you are very much welcome. It is an honor to have you on the blog.
GUEST: Thanks for having me, Mirta. Nice to be here. I appreciate you profiling Jewish patriots of the American Revolution. Before we get started, it is important to note that while most Jews supported the Revolution, there were notable examples of Jewish Tory and Hessian involvement during the same period.
HOST: That’s an important reminder. History is rarely as simple as Patriots versus Loyalists, and the Jewish experience during the Revolution was no exception. In light of that complexity, what inspired the creation of the DAR Jewish Specialty Research Committee, and what need did it fill?
GUEST: The Jewish area of specialty research began within DAR six years ago when I happened to know the Lineage Committee National Chair. When she learned that I was a professional genealogist specializing in Jewish research, she brought my name and idea for a Jewish Task Force to the National Board of Management headed by former DAR President General Denise Doring VanBuren.
The idea was immediately accepted. Other areas of specialty research have been around DAR for over twenty years to recognize under-represented patriots, and Jewish research may require unique evidence, naming patterns, and language other than English. Today, there are ten areas of specialty research: African American, Native American, Spanish, French, French-Canadian, Dutch, Melungeon, Creole, Female Patriots, and Jewish.
HOST: I have to admit, the existence of a Jewish specialty committee surprised me. I would have assumed that identifying Jewish patriots would be as simple as searching membership records. That’s apparently a misconception on my part. What are some other misconceptions people have about Jewish participation in the American Revolution?
GUEST: That religion is recorded by DAR. Religion of any kind has never been recorded by DAR. This makes it difficult to grasp how many “Jews” participated. Scholars estimate there were 2000 to 2500 Jews living in the colonies at the time of the Revolution, but defining who was a Jew is a gray area with intermarriage, baptism, and name profiling, which can be misleading.
HOST: So if religion isn’t recorded, how does DAR determine who qualifies as a patriot in the first place? Have recent genealogical discoveries changed our understanding of who qualifies as a Revolutionary patriot?
GUEST: It is important to understand that DAR qualifies “patriot” as more than simply military service. DAR “patriots” also qualify if they signed an oath of allegiance, served in a patriotic government role, provided goods and services, delivered a sermon, or paid taxes to the cause. Some examples even switched sides during the War, and if they ended up on the patriotic side by the end of the War, they qualify. If on the other side, they don’t. All lineage and service of any kind requires evidence submitted as part of a DAR application, though—so hearsay within a family is not proof.
HOST: I found this especially enlightening—and satisfying. It validates my storyline, doesn’t it? The Revolution depended on countless civilians whose contributions were every bit as vital—very much like my lead heroine, Rose Wachsman. I often think of Rose as sharing Elizabeth Bennet’s wit and determination as she charts her own course in Revolutionary Philadelphia. That broader understanding of who qualifies also helps explain DAR’s guidelines. Tell us how this approach of documenting overlooked patriots strengthened the organization, while remaining true to its mission as a lineage society.
GUEST: DAR has tried very hard over the last 30 years or so to be more inclusive. Earlier organizational activity and stereotypes continue to create misperceptions. By spotlighting and supporting efforts to recognize under-represented patriots and welcome more membership diversity, the organization continues to grow. Currently, there are around 197,000 DAR members.
HOST: It’s becoming clear to me that the DAR organization ought to be congratulated. It seems that its efforts have been focused on uncovering more complete history rather than changing its membership standards. I applaud the intention and the integrity behind that approach. But it also makes me wonder about stories still waiting to be discovered. What Jewish Revolutionary story would you like every American to know?
GUEST: Scholars say that 22 Jews were military officers, and while no women have been registered yet as patriots with DAR, at least two have been identified as eligible if a female descendant comes forward to register them. They are Abigail Minnes and Frances Sheftall.
HOST: Yes! I mention both women in my story. As historical figures, they played important roles in Rose’s life. But—you’ll pardon me, I hope—I’m curious about your story. As both a genealogist and a DAR member, you’ve spent years helping others discover their Revolutionary roots. Could you tell us about the patriot who made your own DAR membership possible and why that story is meaningful to you?
GUEST: DAR members who are descendants of Jewish patriots range; some are Jewish, some are not, as there was a lot of intermarriage in early American Jewish families. Another category is that some members who identify as Jewish came in through a non-Jewish patriot. That is my story. Samuel Tracy of Connecticut made me eligible.
HOST: Ellen, I am fascinated! Your lineage reminds us that every DAR member has a unique family story. Yet, your work extends far beyond your own ancestry, reaching thousands of researchers across the country. I know you have been busy; can you tell us about your projects or upcoming events?
GUEST: Wearing my other significant volunteer hat, I serve as Director of JewishGen’s USA Research Division. I have worked very hard over the same six-year period to add new collections indexing the names of colonial and Early American Jews. A list of the current collections that are searchable is available and several more EA collections will be added in the coming year.
HOST: I knew this interview would be jam-packed with interesting information and you, Ellen, did not disappoint! I can’t thank you enough for your generosity and kind spirit. But—before I let you go—let’s do a Lightning Round! Just for fun. Ready?
Austen or the Brontës?
Brontës
Who played Mr Darcy best: Firth or Macfadyen?
Firth
Fiddler on the Roof or Yentl?
Fiddler
HOST: And there you have it, everyone! From a woman in the know. Since you declared yourself a Brontë admirer, I’ll let Charlotte have the last word:
“And how do people perform that ceremony of parting, Jane? Teach me; I’m not quite up to it.”
“They say, Farewell, or any other form they prefer.”
So, farewell, dear reader and thanks, again, Ellen, for sharing your time, your scholarship, and your passion for preserving the stories of Jewish patriots of the American Revolution.
With love,
Mirta Ines Trupp~ Author 