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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
The American Hebrew Medal
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

The American Hebrew Medal

Artifact IDMO 1945.32.47
Object Type Medal
Artist (American, 1876 - 1959)
Date1939
Mediummetal (bronze)
Dimensionsoverall (medal) H 5 in x W 3 3/8 in x D 3/8 in (12.7 cm x 8.6 cm x 1 cm )
 box/case H 1 in x W 4 7/8 in x D 6 3/4 in (2.5 cm x 12.4 cm x 17.1 cm )
Physical Descriptiona) The American Hebrew Medal in the form of a small, oblong, bronze plate. The medal features a relief image of two men, hands clasped, standing atop a mount and looking up towards stars in the sky. A bas-relief inscription below and surrounding the image reads: THE AMERICAN HEBREW MEDAL / FOR THE PROMOTION OF BETTER UNDERSTANDING / BETWEEN CHRISTIAN AND JEW IN AMERICA / PRESENTED TO / FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT. The artist's name is inscribed in the lower right of the image: E.W. KEYSER. The reverse side of the medal is blank.

b) The medal is stored in a navy blue box that is original to the piece.
Historical NotePresident Roosevelt was presented with the American Hebrew Medal on March 6, 1939 in Washington, DC. The two figures featured on the medal personify Jew and Christian together ascending the steep mountain of misunderstanding toward heights of mutuality. In making the presentation, General Hugh S. Johnson, a member of the committee of award, characterized the president as the most distinguished champion of democracy "in this dangerous world."

The American Hebrew Award was established on November 21, 1929 at the fiftieth anniversary celebration of the founding of the weekly publication, The American Hebrew.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDeposited at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Franklin D. Roosevelt on November 22, 1944. It was donated as a bequest of FDR to the Library in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesStamp Collecting Materials (National Archives Identifier 749938)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view