1982 20¢ Touro Synagogue
US #2017 includes a portion of Washington’s letter to the synagogue.

On December 2, 1763, the Touro Synagogue was officially dedicated after four years of construction.

In the 1620s, Jewish settlers of Spanish and Portuguese origin fled their homes in Amsterdam and London in search of religious freedom. Over the years they traveled from Brazil to the Caribbean, particularly to Barbados. Then in the spring of 1658, fifteen Spanish/Portuguese Jewish families arrived in Newport, Rhode Island. They believed they would be able to practice their faith under the law of Governor Roger Williams. Williams established the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations on the basis of freedom of religion and conscience. This congregation was known as Nephuse Israel (Scattered of Israel).

1957 3¢ Religious Freedom
US #1099 was issued to honor the 300th anniversary of the “Flushing Remonstrance.”

For 100 years, this small congregation worshiped in private homes. Then in 1758, the congregation had grown in size so as to require a synagogue. Cantor Isaac Touro led the campaign to establish a synagogue. After soliciting funds from other congregations as far away as London, Jamaica, and Suriname, land was purchased in 1759. Construction began soon after with local philanthropist Aaron Lopez laying the corner stone. The renowned architect Peter Harrison, who may have donated his work, designed the synagogue. Inside, the synagogue had 12 Ionic columns, representing the 12 tribes of ancient Israel, each carved from a single tree. The structure was also built to face east toward Jerusalem.

2009 44¢ Hanukkah
US #4433 – Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that celebrates the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem and a miracle said to have occurred there.

Once completed, the synagogue was dedicated on December 2, 1763, during that year’s Hanukkah festival celebrations. Many people outside of the congregation came to celebrate the synagogue’s opening. These included clergy and dignitaries from around the colony, including Congregationalist Minister Ezra Stiles (future president of Yale University).

During the American Revolution, many of the town’s Jewish residents fled the city when the British occupied it. Isaac Touro remained to keep watch over the synagogue. The British used it as a hospital and assembly hall. Although they needed wood for burning during the winter, the synagogue’s importance as a hospital spared it from being destroyed. After the British left, the Jewish families began to return.

1982 20¢ Touro Synagogue Colorano Silk Cachet First Day Cover
US #2017 – Colorano Silk Cachet First Day Cover

In 1790, the congregation’s president, Mendes Seixas, sent President George Washington a letter expressing his support for his administration. He also shared his ideas about the importance of religious liberties and the separation of church and state in the new nation.

1861-62 90¢ Washington, blue
US #72 was often used on mail to China and France during the Civil War.

President Washington responded in part, “The Government of the United States … gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance… 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 vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.” In the years since, the synagogue has held an annual reading of Washington’s letter. Read the full text of Washington’s letter here.

1940 1¢ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
US #864 – from the Famous American Poets set

Over the years, the congregation dispersed and the synagogue closed. In July 1852, famed poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow visited the synagogue and its cemetery.  He was so moved by the experience, he penned a popular poem, “The Jewish Cemetery at Newport,” which you can read here.

Two years later, Judah Touro, son of the synagogue’s namesake, left a bequest for its restoration. By the 1880s, new Jewish families arrived from Europe and reopened the synagogue.

In 1946, the Touro Synagogue was made a National Historic Site. Today, it’s the oldest standing synagogue in the US.

Click here for a short video about Touro Synagogue.

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2 Comments

  1. Wow! George Washington writing a letter about religious freedom before it became part of one of our country’s standards.

  2. Back in 1967-77, when I served as Rector of Trinity Episcopal parish in Brooklyn, Connecticut, one of our church buildings called “Old Trinity”, established and built in 1771, designed by Peter Harrison, was financed by Godfrey Malone of Brooklyn and a sprinkling of others. Now this handsome building, featuring box pews and clear-glass windows, is blessed to be on the list of the National Register of Historic Buildings…all because of a letter discovered in a Newport attic from Mr. Malbone to architect Peter Harrison, thanking him for the “blueprints” of what would become Old Trinity, a handsome four-faced roof (no steeple) square clapboard building which used Truro Synagogue as a model! Old Trinity is a VERY simple version of the synagogue!

    In 1971 our parish celebrated its 200th anniversary! Imagine that! Always hoped an enduring stamp could have designed featuring Old Trinity’s construction in 1771. Oh well…perhaps in the future?!?

    The Rev. Richard G. M. Chambers

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