The congregation was founded in by the descendants of Jewish families who had fled the Inquisitions in Spain and Portugal and who themselves left the Caribbean seeking the greater religious tolerance that Rhode Island offered. Therefore, Touro Synagogue stands as a symbol of religious freedom for all Americans not just Jewish Americans.
Touro Synagogue was designated a National Historic Site in The Ambassador John L. Loeb Jr. Visitors Center opened in with exhibits to further explore the history of Newport's early Jewish community and the origins of First Amendment rights. Each year, over 30, visitors cross the synagogue threshold to pray, see its magnificent interior, and hear its remarkable story.
All National Trust Historic Sites are open! We encourage you to check directly with each site for up-to-date information on available activities, ticketing, and guidelines if you are planning a visit. Phone In August , three months after Rhode Island had joined the United States by ratifying the Constitution, George Washington chose to visit Newport for a public appearance to rally support for the new Bill of Rights.
As part of the welcoming ceremonies for the President of the United States, Moses Mendes Seixas, then president of Congregation Yeshuat Israel , was one of the community leaders given the honor of addressing Washington. In his letter of welcome, Seixas chose to raise the issues of religious liberties and the separation of church and state. Following the Revolutionary War, Newport never regained its stature as a leading seaport.
The Jewish community, long active in commerce, dispersed. By the early 19 th century, the synagogue was closed for regular services, but opened as needed for funerals, high holidays services and special occasions.
Stephen Gould, a member of a local Quaker family and good friends to many of the former Jewish residents of Newport, was engaged as caretaker. Through the first half of the nineteenth century, even as the Jews of Newport dispersed, they did not relinquish their sense of responsibility to their synagogue or to their burial ground.
As members died, their bodies were returned to Yeshuat Israel for interment. Prior to his death he had seen to the replacement of the wall his brother Abraham had built thirty years prior, which was in disrepair. The brick wall was replaced with a granite and wrought iron enclosure. When Judah died, his will, which was published in several languages around the world, left bequests to both Jewish and non-Jewish charitable organizations in the United States and abroad.
Both brothers, Abraham and Judah Touro, are hailed as amongst the first great American philanthropists. The end of the nineteenth century ushered in new life for the Touro Synagogue with the arrival of the eastern European Jews to the United States. During and following this period, Congregation Shearith Israel in New York retained rights to the building but an independent Congregation Jeshuat Israel [sic] was re-established. The Friends of Touro Synagogue now the Touro Synagogue Foundation was established two years later to aid in the maintenance and upkeep of the buildings and grounds as well as to raise funds for and to publicize the history of the Touro Synagogue.
Each year, Touro Synagogue holds a public reading of the George Washington letter as a celebration and pronouncement of religious freedom. The synagogue remains an active house of worship and is also toured by thousands of visitors every year. Touro 2. Touro Synagogue Loeb Visitors Center. All Rights reserved.
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