Mordecai M. Noah
Mordecai M. Noah, born on July 19, 1785, in Philadelphia, was a prominent figure in early American Jewish history, known for his multifaceted contributions as a writer, politician, and advocate for Jewish rights. The son of German Jewish immigrants, Noah faced personal tragedy early in life, losing his mother at a young age and moving to Charleston, South Carolina, where he pursued law and politics. He gained political recognition through his editorial work, leading to appointments as consul to foreign locations, although he ultimately declined and was dismissed from these positions due to conflicts with his religious beliefs.
Noah is notably recognized for his vision of a Jewish homeland, which he initially sought to establish in New York, envisioning a colony named Ararat. Although this endeavor failed, his commitment to advocating for a Jewish state persisted throughout his life. In addition to his political ambitions, he
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Mordecai M. Noah
Politician
- Born: July 19, 1785
- Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Died: March 22, 1851
- Place of death: New York, New York
Biography
Mordecai M. Noah was born July 19, 1785, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Manual Noah, a German Jewish immigrant, and Zipporah Phillips. At the age of ten, Noah’s mother died, and he went to live with his maternal grandfather. He later moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where he studied law and became interested in politics. At the age of twenty-six, he began writing editorials in a South Carolina newspaper.
As a result of Noah’s political writings, President James Madison appointed Noah to the position of consul to Riga, then a part of Imperial Russia, but Noah declined the post. In 1813, he was nominated as consul to the kingdom of Tunis. Although Noah was instrumental in releasing American citizens held as slaves in Tunis, he was dismissed from his post because his religious convictions interfered with his consular duties. Noah returned to the United States in 1815, settling in New York where he founded several newspapers including the National Advisor, the Courier and Enquirer, the Evening Star, and the Sunday Times.
In 1825, Noah helped to purchase a large tract of land on Grand Island, New York. It was his dream to establish a homeland for Jewish refugees. The colony was to be called Ararat, after Mount Ararat, the Biblical landing place of Noah’s ark. Unfortunately, the project was a failure, and Noah later realized that the only place to establish such a homeland was in Palestine. However, he continued to lecture and write about the need for a Jewish homeland for many years.
Noah was deeply involved in politics, and between 1827 and 1828, he led New York City’s Tammany Hall political machine. However, his connection to Tammany Hall was short-lived. By 1829 he was publishing articles against the organization in his newspaper. In addition to his political interests, Noah was a staunch supporter of education and medical care. He was one of the founders of New York University. He also envisioned a hospital which would treat Jewish patients; after Noah’s death, Mt Sinai Hospital was established in New York City.
Noah is perhaps best known for his patriotic plays, the most well known of which is She Would Be a Soldier (first produced and published, 1819). This play established Noah as America’s first important Jewish-American writer. Another play, Yusef Caramalli: Or, The Siege of Tripoli (first produced 1920), was produced many times, sometimes under a different title. In addition to his plays, Noah also wrote about his years as a consul in Tunis, and he wrote many political editorials in his newspapers. In addition, he wrote passionately about establishing a Jewish state, and the most famous of these writings is his Discourse on the Restoration of the Jews (1845). After his death in 1851, Noah was remembered for his contributions to American politics and his many accomplishments with a full front page obituary in the Boston Weekly Museum newspaper.