More Than Religious Freedom

More Than Religious Freedom examines Maryland’s “Jew Bill,” a landmark 1826 law that allowed Jewish men to hold state and local office for the first time. The program considers why the legislation was controversial and how its debate exposed enduring questions about race, religion, Jewish identity, citizenship, and belonging in the United States.

Presented as part of the Jewish Museum of Maryland’s Core Connections series, the event features historian Eric Eisner, an advisor to the Museum’s exhibition *Jews of Maryland at the Crossroads of Identity*. Guests can view a copy of the Jew Bill in the exhibition, participate in a question-and-answer session, and contribute their own perspectives in the Museum’s production studio.

When: November 11, 2026

Showtimes: Doors open at 6:00 PM for exhibition exploration in the Meyerhoff Gallery. Eisner’s presentation begins at 6:30 PM, followed by audience questions and answers. The program closes at 7:30 PM, and the event ends at 8:00 PM.

Featured presenter: Eric Eisner is a Ph.D. candidate in history at Johns Hopkins University specializing in American legal history and a law clerk for the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. He holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Cambridge, and Yale Law School. His research, including work on the Maryland Jew Bill, has appeared in *American Jewish History*, *Law and History Review*, and the *Yale Law Journal*.

Program context: Maryland’s debate over Jewish citizenship lasted from 1818 to 1826 and drew national newspaper attention, even though only about 150 Jews lived in Maryland when the law passed. The discussion also reflected the era’s expanding definition of political rights as belonging to white men, while political rights for Black men were being withdrawn.

Refreshments: Complimentary kosher non-alcoholic beverages will be served.

Tickets: Available on a sliding scale; exact prices are not listed.

Accessibility: The Museum building is wheelchair accessible, including the family and all-gender single-stall bathroom. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided. Masks are welcome but not required, and complimentary masks will be available. Noise-reducing headphones and earplugs can be requested at the front desk. Guests with additional accessibility needs are encouraged to contact the Museum in advance.

Parking: Street parking is available, as is the parking lot directly across from the Museum. Visitors should follow posted parking signs and space markings.

Venue: Jewish Museum of Maryland

Contact: Questions can be directed to info@jewishmuseummd.org or 410-732-6400.