225 years ago, George Washington wrote a letter "To the Hebrew Congregation in Newport", which is now known as the Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island. To mark the historic importance of the letter, the congregation and the Touro Synagogue Foundation conduct an annual "Letter Reading", around the time that the letter was sent. The setting is the beautifully restored Touro Synagogue, built in 1763.
The letter was only four paragraphs long, but they were four powerful and significant paragraphs and they are regarded as critical in the history of the Jewish people in the Colonial United States. The letter reading evolved into today's two hour event filled with greetings from dignitaries, announcements of scholarships and an award to Teny Gross, leader in the Institute for the Study of the Practice of Nonviolence. The colonial costumed color guards pumped up the pomp, as did the reception in the garden, where cherry pie was served.
George Washington wrote his letter as a reply to the August 17, 1790 note of thanks from Moses Seixas on behalf of the Jewish congregation in Newport at the time. Mr. Seixas had written to President Washington of gratitude for "a Government, which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance..." and "For all these Blessings of civil and religious liberty which we enjoy under an equal benign administration..."
George Washington replied that he rejoiced in the fact that the Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves, and "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...."
The program wrapped up with a singing of God Bless America. It was difficult to avoid get teary-eyed.
The letter was only four paragraphs long, but they were four powerful and significant paragraphs and they are regarded as critical in the history of the Jewish people in the Colonial United States. The letter reading evolved into today's two hour event filled with greetings from dignitaries, announcements of scholarships and an award to Teny Gross, leader in the Institute for the Study of the Practice of Nonviolence. The colonial costumed color guards pumped up the pomp, as did the reception in the garden, where cherry pie was served.
George Washington wrote his letter as a reply to the August 17, 1790 note of thanks from Moses Seixas on behalf of the Jewish congregation in Newport at the time. Mr. Seixas had written to President Washington of gratitude for "a Government, which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance..." and "For all these Blessings of civil and religious liberty which we enjoy under an equal benign administration..."
George Washington replied that he rejoiced in the fact that the Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves, and "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...."
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| Actor portraying George Washington, reading his letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island |
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| I loved this photographer with a Star of David stamped on his head. Note the paper fan with George Washington's picture, handed out to everyone on a hot August day without air conditioning. |