(Virtual Attendance) Author Talk with Michael Auslin: The Hidden Jewish History of the Declaration of Independence

Michael Auslin, author of *National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America*, will discuss his new book in a virtual author talk hosted by the Capital Jewish Museum. Although no Jews signed the Declaration of Independence or served as delegates to the Continental Congress, Jews played a significant—and often overlooked—role in preserving and popularizing the document as America’s supreme symbol of freedom and equality. Auslin will explore the Jewish philanthropic, scholarly, cultural, and commercial efforts that helped bring the founding document closer to Americans. He will be joined in conversation by Professor Lauren Strauss, Director of Undergraduate Studies for American University’s Jewish Studies Program. The event is presented in partnership with the Haberman Institute for Jewish Studies.

When: Thursday, July 16, 2026, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm Eastern Time.

Showtimes: Single session from 6:30–7:30 pm.

Tickets: Free for Capital Jewish Museum members; $5 for general admission; $18 for “Chai” tickets, which help subsidize the cost of regular tickets and make the program more accessible.

Lineup: Michael Auslin, author and Payson J. Treat Distinguished Research Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution; Lauren Strauss, professor and scholar of American Jewish history, serving as moderator and conversation partner.

Run time: Approximately 60 minutes.

Ages: Not specified; content is appropriate for general audiences interested in history and Jewish studies.

Venue: This is a virtual event offered online; the in-person version takes place at the Capital Jewish Museum, 575 3rd Street, NW, Washington, DC.

Note: The talk is also available in person at the museum. Chai ticket purchases help offset costs for other attendees. Auslin’s book *National Treasure* was written during his tenure as a Distinguished Visiting Scholar at the Library of Congress and an American Heritage Partners Fellow at the Society of the Cincinnati.