Touro Synagogue (1763)

Victor Ries (Germany 1907-California, USA 2013)
USA, 1977
Bronze, h. 1 ¾ x w. 1 ¾ in.
Cincinnati Skirball Museum, Jewish-American Hall of Fame Collection, gift of Mel and Esther Wacks, Debra Wacks, and Shari Wacks, 2019.7.17 & 2019.7.18

The oldest synagogue building still standing in the United States, the Touro Synagogue, or Congregation Jeshuat Israel of Newport, Rhode Island, was declared a National Historic Site in 1946. The congregation was founded in 1658 by descendants of Jewish families who fled the Inquisitions in Spain and Portugal and who themselves left the Caribbean seeking the greater religious tolerance that Rhode Island offered. The building was designed by Peter Harrison, who combined Georgian Colonial style with the traditional synagogue architecture of Spanish and Portuguese Jews. A structure of exquisite beauty and design, steeped in history and ideals, the synagogue is considered one of the ten most architecturally distinguished buildings of 18th century America and the most historically significant Jewish building in the United States. President George Washington visited Newport on August 17, 1790 and was presented with a letter from Moses Seixas, president of the congregation, extolling the new government, “which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance.” In his reply, Washington repeated this moving phrase, which has been credited to him ever since. Touro Synagogue stands as a symbol of religious freedom for all Americans. Isaac Touro was named religious leader of Congregation Jeshuat Israel even before construction of the building began in 1759. His son, Judah Touro (1775–1854), made a generous bequest to the congregation, which has been known as the Touro Synagogue ever since.