In order to mark the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's assassination and end of the Civil War, the New York Historical Society has organized an exhibition.

The exhibition displays never-before displayed original documents, artifacts, photographs, Lincoln’s writings. The exhibition will trace events from Lincoln’s life. The exhibition will focus on relationships and interactions between Abraham Lincoln and his Jewish friends and associates.

At the time, when Jews comprised less than one-half of 1% of the American population, Lincoln’s personal relationships with Jewish people helped improve the situation. There is no doubt that it had a meaningful and positive impact on the status of American Jews.

Lincoln stood for Jewish equality and acceptance. Their good ties can be proved through a number of experiences. One of them is of Abraham Jonas, a Jewish lawyer in Quincy, Illinois. Lincoln met him in 1843.

Jonas was a huge supporter of Lincoln. In fact, Lincoln has even called Jonas as ‘one of the most valued friends. Whenever situation has arisen and time has demanded, Lincoln has shown his support for Jewish community.

Lincoln also had Jewish colleagues among C.M.Levy, the son-in-law of Rabbi Morris Raphall of Congregation B’nai Jeshurun. He was a well known Orthodox Jew in New York. When he applied for the post of quartermaster, Lincoln noted to Secretary of War Stanton that Levy was a ‘capable and faithful man’.

Lincoln appointed Levy as Assistant Quarter-Master having the rank of captain. It has been found that around 50 other Jews had served as quartermasters in the Union army. Lincoln was also acquainted with at least three Jewish clothiers.

Dr. Charles Liebermann, a Russian-born Jewish ophthalmologist and a leading Washington physician, was present at Lincoln’s deathbed throughout the nine-hour coma.