USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Newport > Touro Synagogue of Congregation Jeshuat Israel, Newport, Rhode Island > Part 2
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In the armed forces of the colony, there were Jewish soldiers from earliest times. Jacob Judah served in the French and Indian War in 1747. Michael Isaacs volunteered in the campaign of 1755. Isaac Moses marched in the company of Captain J. Whiting in 1757.
Thus in Newport, Christian and Jew, though worshipping separately in different forms and languages, had the same aspirations and met on equality in the street, in the home, in the club or society, at the library, in the factory, on the vessels, in the store, in the army, and in the assembly, throughout the early part of the eighteenth century. This mutual friendship, understanding and
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good relationship fostered at the time, were fruitful later of noble consequences.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
In the middle of the eighteenth century the fame of Newport attracted to its shores many important Jewish families, among them the Lopez family who fled to Rhode Island to find religious freedom. These families could live abroad only as secret Jews at the danger of losing their lives when found out. The story of Abraham Lopez, another brother of the famous Aaron, is typical of the dual life of these Marranos in Spain and Portugal and their escape to freedom in this land of liberty.
He was born in Lisbon, Portugal, where he was christened Michael. He married according to the Catholic rites, and his wife, Joanna, bore him three sons, christened Edward, Joseph and John, respectively. Having been threatened by the Inquisition, the entire family emigrated to America where they threw off the religious mask and openly avowed their Judaism. Michael and Joanna remarried according to the Jewish law, and changed their names to Abraham and Abigail respectively. The names of their three sons were changed to Moses, Samuel and Jacob.
However, so deep was the habit of the outward religion which they had before professed overseas that some of the Jewish women settlers in Newport would count beads like rosaries while they repeated their Hebrew prayers.
THE FIRST SYNAGOGUE
These Marranos who came to Newport and resumed the open practice of their secret Judaism soon planned the erection of a sanctuary dedicated to the God of Israel. They longed for a syna- gogue where they might freely chant the psalmodies, commune with the God of their fathers, and practice ancestral rites of which they had been deprived in the lands of their birth.
On August 1, 1759, the cornerstone of what is now the oldest synagogue in the United States was laid on a lot of land on Griffin street, now known as Touro street. In present exchange the land cost $187.50. Aaron Lopez and Jacob Rodriguez Rivera were honored with laying the first two stones.
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INTERIOR OF TOURO SYNAGOGUE
This photograph shows the interior of Touro Synagogue following the Restoration Program. Note the windsor settees and chairs; the candelabra and the candlesticks restored to their original brass lustre.
MUN
OPEN ARK OF TOURO SYNAGOGUE
This view shows the Torahs dressed in Sephardic type mantles and decorated with Rimonim and breastplates. Two sets of Rimonim are the work of Myer Myers, New York, famous colonial silversmith.
The building continued at a slow pace. It was not easy to get building material. The bricks had to be imported from abroad. The 196,715 bricks used for the structure were paid for on August 25, 1760.
CONSECRATION OF THE SYNAGOGUE
After practically four years of building, the dedication of the new synagogue took place on December 2, 1763. The ceremony of the dedication was planned to bring out all the beauties of the synagogue and its service. The invited audience consisted of both Jews and Christians, including a great number of notables of the city and guests from other localities. Early in the afternoon they began to gather in the synagogue, the men taking their places downstairs, the women seating themselves in the balcony.
The consecration service made a deep impression on all present. When the Newport Mercury appeared three days later it expressed the sentiments of those present when it described the ceremonies in the following words:
"In the afternoon was the dedication of the new Synagogue in this town. It began by a handsome procession in which was carried the Books of the Law to be deposited in the Ark. Several Portions of Scripture, and of their Service with a prayer for the Royal Family were read and finely sung by the Priest and People. There were present many Gentlemen and Ladies. The Order and Decorum, the Harmony and Solemnity of the Music, together with a handsome assembly of People, in the Edifice the most perfect of the Temple kind in America, and splendidly illuminated, could not but raise in the Mind a faint Idea of the Majesty and Grandeur of the ancient Jewish Worship mentioned in Scripture."
"Dr. Isaac de Abraham Touro performed the Service."
The synagogue, which has not been changed since either in the interior or on the exterior, measures but about forty by thirty-five feet. It stands at an acute angle to the street so that the Ark where the Scrolls are found is in the exact east. The plan of the interior is a miniature parallel to the ancient Holy Temple in Jerusalem and resembles closely the plan of a Masonic Lodge Hall.
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From the domed ceiling are suspended five large bronze candelabra, one of which according to tradition once adorned a monastery in Spain. In front of the Ark, also suspended from the ceiling, hangs the perpetual lamp which burns continuously. At the Reading Desk in the center of the synagogue the prayers are chanted in Hebrew in the old traditional melodies.
The balcony reserved for the women worshippers is reached from the side room adjacent to the synagogue at the outer northern wall. It is supported by twelve columns extending to the ceiling which are said to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. The entire structure has the richness of simplicity and the glory of sanctity. It is a miniature of the Temple in Jerusalem, where
"The weary ones, the sad, the suffering All found their comfort in the Holy Place, And children's gladness and men's gratitude Took voice and mingled in the chant of praise."
THE REVOLUTION
All this crashed with the approach of the British and their invasion of the city. Most of the Jews left the city. The few that remained, among them the Reverend Isaac Touro, were not in sufficient number even to hold religious services at the synagogue.
The Jews of Newport gave their full support to the Colonial cause. Moses Isaac, who later had the honor of entertaining George Washington in his home, Abraham Isaacs, Solomon Rophee, David Sarzedas, Abraham Seixas and many others joined the fighting forces. Many others contributed money, ammunition, boats and even cannon to further the Revolution.
When the General Congress in Philadelphia ordered the Continental Fast Day through the United Colonies, the Congrega- tion Jeshuat Israel, as the Jewish Congregation was called, gathered at the synagogue to join in prayer with the other colonists.
After the evacuation of the British, despite the attempted revival of commerce, the community never regained the prominence it occupied in pre-Revolutionary days. After the Revolution many Jews returned to the town, but Aaron Lopez, the most outstanding merchant on whom high hopes were set, met with an accidental
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משפטיתשפרו ייעשיתם אתם וישגם ע
ומתאמרומה נאכל בשנה השביאה ל ינתנה הארץ פריה ואכלחם לשבועיושבת
חשאבן איש מצירי בתוך בפ ישראל וש במרו רי בון ויצאבן אשה ישראייר.
אתתבואתו ייתן אתברכתי לכם נשר
הישראלירן ואיים הישראלי ויקב בן ראטה הישראלית
ואכלתם סן התבואה ישן עד השנה יילך" את התחלואה לשלש חשעם יועחום את
בתורכרי למסחרן ייעוזרו במשט לפרש להם על־ פי אתהשם ויקלי ויביאו את אי פשר ושם אמו שלסיה
תשואתה תאכלי ישן והארץ לאחבכרלא
"הרבי יהוה אלמשה לאסר היצא את המקלל אל מחוץ
ם נרים ותושבים אתם עמרי ובכל ארץ כיישך אין
למרעה, וסמס כל השמידים את ידיהם על ראשו ור־נבו
והשיב אתהערך לאיש אשרמכר לדום לוואל והשיות ירוום נא כדי נאלת וחשל
מכל רעייר כור באורח מרבי שם יומת ואישכי יכה כר של
לאמצאה יהודיהשיב לו והיה מספרוב
שווין היובל ויצא ביכל ושב לאהות!
הוש כיהן בים בזכייץ כאשר עשר כ "צעיר או שבר חית
פימכר בותמושב עיר חומה והיתה נאל
סמכרו ימים תהיה גארתי ואם לא ישאר״
תמימה וקם הבית אשר בעיר אשרלאה
אתן לדרהיי לאיצא כיכל ובתי החצרים
סביב על שדה הארץ יחשק ואלה תהיי
מן הלוים ויצא מסבר מח זעיר, אחסון ב הדוים בתיערי אחותם נאלת עולם
הוא אחותם בתוך בני ישראל ושייה מטו
מכר כ אחות שהם רואים
אהיך ומטה ירי עמיר והחזקת בני תו
באתי נשי ותרבות ייראה, מארקיר ודו
כספי לא התק די בני ובניבת לארץ
אלהיכם אישר הוצאתץ אתכם בארץ
את ארץ כנען להיות לכם יארדים
"כיך אריד אביך יוםכי לך לא יוזכרם
בתושב יתיר עמך עד שנת היבר ילכ״ץ
הוא יבשו עלי ועוב אר ביטפחתי ואר א
שבע פ ציים יהיו לך ימי שבע שבתת השעה השיג
מככרת, עבר לאחרדה בו בפרך "רץ
ואברך אשר יהולך מאה הנוים איטל
קרשתב את סות החמישים שנה, וקראים "ריי בארץ
הקט לכי ואמה וב בבני התושבים ון
לכלוכית יוכדי צו חריר יכם ושבתב א״ אי אותי
הקנו ובמשפחתם אטר עעליכם אישרה
ואיש אי משפחה השט יבר היא שנת רחמיטיב של"
"כב לאיזה והתנהלהס אים לבנים
תהיה לכם לא יייצי ייצ תס גרי את ספיחים "לא קבע"!
אהזה לעולם בהם תעסו ובאתיכם מן
אתנריה כי ייבל היא קרים תהיה לכם מי הברי א אכלו
לא תרדה כיבפרך
אתתביאהה. בשנת היובל הזאת השבי אים אל אדיקו
עכך וכך אחיךְ יגבי ינבכר לנר חושב
וכז תבברו כבכר י זמיתוך אי ריר. כִּידִ זְמִיֶּךָ אִל הינו
ני־ אירי נבבר נאלה ההיר יי אחדמ
איש את אחיו במספר שנים אחר היובל"קוד
אובי דרו ינאיני או משאר בשיי כסו
עםיתר בניספר, שם יב׳ואה, מכ־רך ישייב הישעום
השינה ידי ונאל וחשב עם קנהי מל
תרכה מקותו ולפ מגע הש בב תביניט בקניום מספר
היכל והיה כסף מככרו בכספי שגם
הבואת הוא מכר לך ול א תוני איש את עמיתי זיר את
אב ער רבים בטניס לפיהן ישיב נאי
סאלהיר ם אפ ירות אלהיכם "יעטיים. את הקת יאר,
Old Torah, over four-hundred years old, believed to have been brought to the New World from Spain.
האריץ שבת ליהזה שש שנים תרע שיך ושש שנים קצר ברסך ואספה אר, הסואחת ובשני השכינה שבה שבין היהלארץ שמת לירוי שיך לא יי ע יכרכר "אתיני
אתספה קברך לאחר צירואת בעלירי אק "ב.
שנת שסחזון ידיד לארץ וייוף שביניאיי/יוסיאליף
לך וליוברך ולאמתוך יישטיי ייתושבייים גבי
זלצרבתוך ישירות אוצי באר צך ידיד כר תביאקר לאכי וכפיתרד שכן טובהת שנים שים שנ
מיובדי הם אשר הוצאתי אתם בארץ
וארבעים שנה והעביר, שפר חריער במרץ היטב,
בעשור להרע כייב הכפיים הנסייו שופי ככל א־ צכב
ארן כר היעדר ואר כנ ישראל אלסף לאסר איש איש ב יקלל אלהי נשא חטאו תקב שב יהוה מית יומי, ישוסירובו
אדם בית יפה ומכרי ופש כתבה ישיבות נפש תחת ומשש
סוסכה בהפח שימנה יבבר אים יוסי, משפט אחר" שכר עיו תחת עץ שקרת שי כאשר ירי בים באדם בן יטיקן
יהיה לכם עוד כאזרח ירחם אעמוד אלייכס ירבו" משה אי כנ ישראל ויוציא׳ את המקלי אי מתון למחנה וידומו איץ אכן יבניישראל יבשי באטר ציה יהיה אתכיפה
וירכך יחזור אל משה כחר סים לאפר דבר אל בני ישראל" ואכת איתם כיתכאו אל הארץ אשר אפי נין לכם ישנתי
וכאנאלו הקרב אליו ואל את מסכר אל חתם לארץ ללא
ולנסון ואכלה במקום קדש כ קרש קדשים דוא לוסאש! זהצון דוק עולים
To the President of the United States of America
Sermit the children of the Stock of thaham hayqueas you with the most corocal affection and esteem for your person ymerls -and to Jour with our fellow citizens in welcoming you lo tulout
With pleasure we reflect on these days- these days of dificuly. Garnier when the Bed of frail, who olives David , hom the peril of the pro ,- Filder Your head in the day of Bath : - And we you lo think that the fame Spirul, une tesked in the Arom of the greatly beloved Danul calling him in preside over the Provinces of the Batelmich Compare. Les's and ever will last uron you, maling you's history I've arduous Duties of Chief Magistrate. in Mes States .
Deprived as we herlife have been of the invaluable tights of free Colinas. " im furth a dump fense of gratitude to the Homeofily disponer of all events Gints aGreenmont , creches by the Majesty of the People ... Government, which to bigotry que no function, to persecution no afistance_ but seniorin affrans to il Picorly of conscience, and immunities of Classinthis: - Timing very one of thelove Maken Honour, or Sanouage equal parts of the quat overmental Machine :- Je amule an extensive Federal Union wien Basis is Philanthropy, Mutual conference. and itisk Virtue , we cannot fut ackmontage to be the work of the Great Go the Mulch in the Armes OfHeaven and among the Inhabitants of the barik . Joins whatfois sumeth him good.
For all the Blefings of aid and religious liberty which we enjoy sonder an qut are benign administration , we Desire to find his own thanks to the content of Days . The qual presiever of rer. Brfucking him , that the Angel who consulis our forfathers Through this wilson's into the promise law may graciously contest you through al the Dificulties and danger of this mould life: _ an, when like joshua full of Caus and full of hommes , you are gatherw & you're waters, may you & armatis into the Heavenly Peraaux & partake of the water of lik , and the love of immortality Done and signed by order of the Hebrew Congregation in
CMores Seid as Wenden
Facsimile of letter written by Moses Seixas, Warden of the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, to President Washington on August 17, 1790, felicitating him on his election to the Presidency.
death on his return journey. Gradually the Jews left the town, and before the century was ended the synagogue was closed because of the lack of the quorum of ten men required to hold services.
WASHINGTON'S LETTER
It was destined however that even in this period history should record highly significant expressions on religious liberty and equality, which came from the pen of Moses Seixas and George Washington in 1790.
In that year President Washington visited Newport. He was presented with an address by Moses Seixas in the name of the Hebrew Congregation which read in part "With pleasure we reflect on those days, those days of difficulty and danger, when the God of Israel who delivered David from the peril of the sword-shielded your head in the day of battle-and we rejoice to think that the same Spirit who rested in the bosom of the greatly beloved Daniel, enabling him to preside over provinces of the Babylonish Empire, rests, and ever will rest, upon you, enabling you to discharge the arduous duties of Chief Magistrate in these states.
"Deprived as we heretofore have been of the invaluable rights of free citizens, we now (with a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty Dispenser of all Events) behold a Government erected by the majesty of the people, a Government which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance; but generously affording to all liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship, deeming everyone, of whatever nation, tongue, or language, equal parts of the great Governmental machine."
To this George Washington replied in the classic words recorded elsewhere in this pamphlet.
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the Government of the United States , which give to bigotry no sanction , to persecution no afistance requires only that they who live wonder its protections should demean themselves as good citizens , in giving it on all occasions their effectual support. It would be inconsistent with the franknet
of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable ofunion of my administration , and ferient wishes for my felicity. May the Children of the Stock of abraham , who dwell in this land , continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own wine and figtree, and there shall be none to make him a fracia . May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths , and make us all in our several vocations here , and in his own due time and way everlasting by happy . napension
The famous letter by President George Washington to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, August 17, 1790, in which religious freedom is laid down as a basic principle of the new republic.
In the Hebrew Congregation in Newport Rhode Island.
Gentlemen.
While I receive, with much satisfaction. your address replete with caponejours of affection . and esteem; Srejoice in the opportunity of afouring you , that I shall always retain a grateful remem: france of the cordial welcome & experienced in my visit to Newport, from all classes of Citizens. The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are kraft is rendered the more sweet, from a consciousnejo that they are succeeded by day. of uncommon prosperity and security. If we have weselom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored , we cannot fall , under the just administration of a good Government , tobecome a great and a happy people. The Butizons of the United States of america have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind compiles of an enlarged and liberal policy : a policy worthy of imitation. all projeto alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship . It is now no more that toleration is spoken of , as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people , that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights . For happily the
death on his return journey. Gradually the Jews left the town, and before the century was ended the synagogue was closed because of the lack of the quorum of ten men required to hold services.
WASHINGTON'S LETTER
It was destined however that even in this period history should record highly significant expressions on religious liberty and equality, which came from the pen of Moses Seixas and George Washington in 1790.
In that year President Washington visited Newport. He was presented with an address by Moses Seixas in the name of the Hebrew Congregation which read in part "With pleasure we reflect on those days, those days of difficulty and danger, when the God of Israel who delivered David from the peril of the sword-shielded your head in the day of battle-and we rejoice to think that the same Spirit who rested in the bosom of the greatly beloved Daniel, enabling him to preside over provinces of the Babylonish Empire, rests, and ever will rest, upon you, enabling you to discharge the arduous duties of Chief Magistrate in these states.
"Deprived as we heretofore have been of the invaluable rights of free citizens, we now (with a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty Dispenser of all Events) behold a Government erected by the majesty of the people, a Government which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance; but generously affording to all liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship, deeming everyone, of whatever nation, tongue, or language, equal parts of the great Governmental machine."
To this George Washington replied in the classic words recorded elsewhere in this pamphlet.
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JUDAH TOURO
BY LEON HUHNER, A. M., LL. B.
HE NAME TOURO has been commemorated by the city of Newport in several of its landmarks. There are Touro Street, Touro Park, and the beautiful Touro Synagogue, which has recently been designated by the United States Government as a national historic site.
The great Jewish merchants who brought colonial Newport to the height of its commercial prosperity, were of Spanish and Portuguese origin, and in 1759 they employed Peter Harrison, a prominent architect, to build the synagogue above mentioned. They had selected the Rev. Isaac Touro, a native of Holland, as their minister and he officiated at the synagogue consecration. In 1773 he married Miss Reyna Hays, the sister of Moses Michael Hays, who subsequently became a prominent merchant of Boston and one of its patriotic citizens.
The American Revolution put an end to Newport's com- mercial prosperity, for the city was occupied by the British and held by their victorious soldiers. Its great merchants removed to patriotic centers, particularly Boston and Philadelphia. The Rev. Isaac Touro went to Jamaica, West Indies, and died there in 1784. His widow with her children returned to New England, making her home with her brother in Boston.
The Touro children were very young at the time, the eldest Abraham, having been born in 1774. The second son, Judah, the subject of our sketch, was born on June 16, 1775, on the very eve of the Battle of Bunker Hill. The boys were brought up by their uncle, from whom they received a sound business training. Judah gave great promise and in 1798 was sent by Mr. Hays as supercargo with a shipment to the Mediterranean. The young man displayed considerable courage when the ship was attacked by a French
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privateer, and finally returned to Boston with the profits of the enterprise.
Tradition has it that Judah Touro had fallen deeply in love with his cousin Catherine Hays, but that her father would not permit them to marry because of their close relationship. Young Touro finally decided to leave Boston and start life anew in some distant part of the country. He had been impressed with the great commercial possibilities of the vast French territory of Louisiana, and accordingly went to its leading seaport, New Orleans, where he arrived in February, 1802.
New Orleans at the time was a small unattractive town of about 8000 inhabitants. It had no paved streets or any of the usual conveniences, but it already displayed considerable commercial activity. Touro opened a store for general merchandise and turned to good account the connections he had made in Boston. He was an incessant worker and his success was phenomenal from the start. Due to his ability and integrity, almost every vessel from New England brought him profitable consignments, so that within a few years he was numbered among the wealthy merchants of New Orleans.
When the War of 1812 broke out, Touro volunteered to fight in the militia under General Andrew Jackson for the defense of New Orleans. In the battle which ensued he was severely wounded and his life was despaired of. But he was found on the battlefield by his friend Rezin D. Shepherd, who brought him to a place of safety, where he was nursed back to life. An appreciative account of Touro's patriotism in this connection may be found in James Parton's "Life of Andrew Jackson." Touro finally recovered and the friendship between him and Shepherd continued throughout both their lives.
After the war, Touro resumed his commercial activities and expanded his ventures on a large scale. He became an extensive ship owner, and sent his ships loaded with cotton, sugar and other merchandise to distant parts of the world. They went not only to the West Indies and the British Isles, but even as far as India. Touro's enterprise was remarkable. He was one of the earliest
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merchants to appreciate the advent of steam navigation, and he figures as co-owner of several such vessels. He was over seventy when gold was discovered in California, yet one of his ships was among the earliest vessels going from New Orleans to San Francisco, where it arrived in 1849 after a voyage of 214 days.
In addition to these ventures, Touro had also become an owner of valuable real estate, which he improved with a number of fine buildings, the "Touro Block" being prominently mentioned in that connection.
From the start, Touro had become favorably known as a public spirited citizen. He was interested not only in beautifying New Orleans, but in improving its educational facilities as well. In 1824 he was associated with the Free Library Society and he offered to put up a library building at his own expense. The gift was gratefully accepted and the library named in his honor. "The Touro Free Library of New Orleans" became one of the great cultural influences of the city.
Judah Touro's name stands out most prominently as a philan- thropist. He was among the foremost American philanthropists before the Civil War.
In New Orleans his name is associated with various charities, irrespective of race or creed. A prominent example of his broad- minded spirit is recorded in connection with the First Congregational Church, which had suffered great reverses. Its church building had been sold by creditors at public auction. It was purchased by Touro who immediately gave the use of the building to its former owners, with practically no compensation, and refused many tempting offers for the property. This church later became one of the most fashionable in New Orleans, and Touro's generosity was gratefully recalled at an elaborate celebration in 1933.
In Boston, Touro's name is associated with the Massachusetts General Hospital, the Asylum for Indigent Boys, the Female Orphan Asylum, the Humane Society, and similar institutions.
For many years yellow fever had been the great scourge of New Orleans, claiming thousands of victims. Judah Touro not only contributed funds to combat the plague, but he established a hospital in that connection. He also established one of the foremost
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hospitals of the South, namely the well known "Touro Infirmary."
We have already mentioned his patriotism and public spirit. In his native Newport he did much to preserve its historic landmarks. He assisted the Redwood Library, and saved from demolition the "Old Stone Mill" also known as "Newport Tower", an ancient structure supposed to have been built by the Norsemen, centuries before the discovery of America by Columbus. By his will Touro beqeathed a fund to the City of Newport for the acquisition of grounds surrounding the mill to be laid out as a public park. This historic plot is now known as Touro Park.
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