American Values, Religious Voices: 100 Days. 100 Letters

In the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election, many Americans questioned how to respond to the results and the deep divisions in our country exposed by the campaign. Many people of faith turned to their religious communities for guidance and support. Many looked for ways to take action. In November 2016, biblical scholar Andrea L. Weiss and graphic designer Lisa M. Weinberger teamed up to create an innovative response: a national nonpartisan campaign that used letters and social media to highlight core American values connected to our diverse religious traditions.
 
American Values, Religious Voices: 100 Days, 100 Letters is a collection of letters written by some of America’s most accomplished and thoughtful scholars of religion during the first 100 days of the Trump presidency. While the letters are addressed to the president, vice president, and members of the 115th Congress and Trump administration, they speak to a broad audience of Americans looking for wisdom and encouragement at this tumultuous time in our nation’s history.
 
This unique volume assembles the 100 letters, plus four new supplemental essays and many of the graphic illustrations that enhanced the campaign.
 
Published near the midway point of the Trump presidency, this book showcases a wide range of ancient sacred texts that pertain to our most pressing contemporary issues. At a time of great division in our country, this post-election project models how people of different backgrounds can listen to and learn from one another. The letters offer insight and inspiration, reminding us of the enduring values that make our nation great.
 

American Values, Religious Voices: 100 Days, 100 Letters is the result of a unique partnership between a biblical scholar and a graphic designer who joined forces after the 2016 presidential election to start a public dialogue about American values.
Rabbi Andrea L. Weiss, PhD, is Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Provost and associate professor of Bible at the Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion and associate editor of The Torah: A Women’s Commentary (CCAR Press, 2008). Lisa M. Weinberger is founder and creative director of Masters Group Design, a design and branding studio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

After the election, Weiss and Weinberger created and coordinated the American Values, Religious Voices: 100 Days, 100 Letters campaign, with its website and social media outlets (@ValuesandVoices). Now they have edited this book as a way to expand the conversation and reaffirm the values that unite us as Americans.