The oldest synagogue in the United States is Touro Synagogue in Rhode Island. Incidentally, Rhode Island also has the oldest Tavern in the United States - White Horse Tavern established in 1673 - nearly a century before the Touro Synagogue.
Newport is a stunning old city with a lot to explore about America's early colonial history. Newport is famous for its charm and its waterfront eats. It boasts some of the United States' earliest colonial history with many secrets of the past that will surprise many.
Oldest Synagogues In The United States
When it comes to defining which synagogue is the oldest, the definition here is the building. Other definitions may measure the oldest congregation or something else. Also, it should be noted that some synagogues have been converted for other purposes and even the Touro Synagogue was shuttered for many decades.
All of the oldest congregations in the Americas were founded by Sephardi Jews and have followed the Sephardic liturgy.
- Congregation Shearith Israel: Oldest Congregation in The USA - Founded in 1654 In New York City
- Congregation Jeshuat Israel: The Congregation That Built Touro Synagogue Was Founded circa 1658
- Congregation Rodeph Shalom: Considered One of the Oldest Existing Ashkenazi Congregations In The USA, Established in 1795
The Touro Synagogue
The Touro Synagogue or Congregation of Jeshuat Isreal "קהל קדוש ישועת ישראל" is regarded as the oldest synagogue building in the United States still standing. It is one of the very few which date from colonial times having been built in 1763 - in fact, it is the only synagogue in the United States dating from the colonial era.
Touro Synagogue is in Newport, Rhode Island, and was declared a National Historic Site in 1946.
- Built: 1763
- Colonial: It is The Only Surviving Colonial Era Synagogue in The United States
- Listed: As A National Historic Site Since 1946
The founding congregation was made up of Sephardic Jews and practiced a Spanish and Portuguese Jewish liturgy and ritual. They are also believed to have come to Rhode Island via the West Indies.
Later on, some early Ashkenazim joined them and by the late 19th century the congregation was mostly Ashkenazim. But they have continued to practice the Sephardic liturgy in the synagogue.
During the American War Of Independence, the British occupied Newport and many of the Jewish residents in the city fled. They moved to Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. Isaac Touro remained behind to watch over the synagogue as it became a hospital for the British military as well as a public assembly hall.
- Declined: The Synagogue Declined After Independence
After the British withdrew, many of the Jewish returned, but after independence life had changed in Newport. It never regained its colonial stature as a leading seaport. The Jewish community here had long been active in commerce and so dispersed. By the early 19th century the synagogue had entered its quiet years with it being closed for regular services.
- 19th Century: For Much of the 1800s the Synagogue was Quiet
It did reopen as needed for funerals, high holidays, and other special occasions. Throughout these quiet years, it was always maintained.
A fresh breath of life for the synagogue camp at the end of the 19th century with the arrival of many eastern European Jews. In 1881 the "new" Jewish community of Newport petitioned to reopen the town's synagogue for services. In 1883 Abraham Pereira Mendes of London was called and served as the Rabbi to the Congregation for the next 10 years.
Touring The Touro Synagogue
Today the synagogue remains active and is toured by thousands of visitors every year. The schedule for prayer services can be found on their website.
One can visit the synagogue. There are tours of the synagogue where one will learn why Touro Synagogue is considered one of the most architecturally distinguished American buildings of the 18th century and why it is a symbol of American religious freedom.
Presentations In The Park: The next tour season will resume in mid-April. The tours for the last season were (note details may change for the next season):
- Presentions: Offered Every Half Hour From 10.00 am to 1.30 pm
- Days: Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays (No Tours Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Jewish Holidays)
- Ticket Fee: $8 Per Person (Free For Children Under 13)
- Reservations: Not Necessary And All Tickets Purchased On-Site
Colonial Jewish Walking Tours: In addition, they also offer a Jewish Walking tour of Newport's colonial-era Jewish community to see how they lived and worshipped in the 1700s.
- When: At 11.15 am On Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays (Weather Permitting)
- Cost: $15.00 Per Person
- Reservations Are Required: Email tours@tourosynagogue.org to reserve a space
- Duration: Around An Hour To Tour Newport's Old Quarter