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Gershom Mendes Seixas: a LEADER by Barbara Krasner-Khait IN

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Gershom Mendes Seixas: a LEADER by Barbara Krasner-Khait IN FLASH BACK MAP OF THE U. S. IN 1775 MYSTERY Diary Entry SYNAGOGUE From a letter, written in Yiddish in the 1790s, PROFILE by Rebecca Samuel in Petersburg, Virginia, to symbol of religious her parents in Hamburg, Germany, describing freedom in her experience as a first-generation Jewish A America, the oldest American. Like other religiously observant synagogue building still Jews in early America, Rebecca was somewhat being used in the United ambivalent about life in the New World. She States was dedicated on was disturbed by the assimilation of the Jews H. anukkah 1763, and still in her community, but pleased by the houses an active principle of religious tolerance that allowed Jews and non-Jews to live together in peace. “[Touro Synagogue] is not only the oldest synagogue in America, but also one of the “…On the Sabbath all the Jewish shops are oldest symbols of liberty.” open, and they do business on that day as — John F. Kennedy they do throughout the whole week. But ours we do not allow to open. With us there is still congregation. The Spanish- AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY, MUSEUM OF NATIONAL PHILADELPHIA some Sabbath. You must believe me that in Portuguese Jews who LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Touro Synagogue, Jeshuat Yisrael, Newport, , JEWISH WOMEN’S ARCHIVE our house we all live as Jews as much as we founded the Touro Rhode Island JEWISH LIFE IN 1776 can. As for the Gentiles, we have nothing to Synagogue sought haven in America, where they could practice Judaism openly and without JEWISH POPULATION: This bill of credit (scrip) was issued by South Carolina complain about….You cannot know what a fear. Nevertheless, when the famous colonial architect, Peter 1,000-2,500 during the Revolutionary War. If you look carefully at wonderful country this is for the common Harrison, built this synagogue, he constructed a modest and PERCENT OF TOTAL AMERICAN POPULATION: Less than 0.1% the four corners of the middle box, you’ll see four ordinary exterior that wouldn’t offend the surrounding Christian NUMBER OF SYNAGOGUES: 5 man. One can live here peacefully.” Hebrew letters! Do you think the Hebrew on this scrip: community. Inside, a lavish and extraordinary design glorifies the WHERE MOST JEWS LIVED: New York, New York; Newport, MAKING OUR WILDERNESS BLOOM MAKING OUR Jewish faith and tradition they cherished. Rhode Island; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Charleston, South a. indicates that this bill came from a Jewish banker? Carolina; Savannah, Georgia b. was a security measure taken to prevent counterfeit? COMMON JEWISH CAREERS: merchants and shopkeepers EXCERPTED FROM c. sent a secret war message through code? COST OF BREAD: 11.3 cents per pound ANSWER: b ANSWER: SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN JEWISH AND AMERICAN HISTORY 1620 1654 1655 1664 1730 1740 1752 1761 1774 1775 1776 1777 1787 1789 1791 1802 1803 1804 1812 1814 The Mayflower Twenty-three Jews win the The English America’s first Jews gain a Benjamin The first Isaac Abrahams Francis Salvador, Declaration of The Jews of Constitutional George A majority of The first President Lewis and Clark The War Francis Scott lands at Jews fleeing right to settle conquer New synagogue, the limited form Franklin English becomes the a delegate to the Independence New York are Convention in Washington the states Ashkenazi Thomas begin their of 1812 Key composes Plymouth Rock. persecution in New Amsterdam Mill Street of American conducts his translation of first Jew to legislature in and the granted full Philadelphia, is officially ratify the Bill synagogue in Jefferson expedition. begins. the Star from Brazil Amsterdam. and rename Synagogue of citizenship famous kite Hebrew prayers graduate from South Carolina, American rights under the where our inaugurated of Rights, America, nearly doubles Spangled arrive in New They establish it New York. Congregation through the experiment. is published. an American becomes the first Revolution New York State forefathers set as the first which grants Rodeph Shalom, the size of the Banner. Amsterdam. the first Jewish Shearith Israel British university, American Jew to (1775-1783) Constitution, out “to secure President of freedom of is established in United States community in (a Sepharic Plantation King’s College hold an elected which abolishes the Blessings the United religion to all Philadelphia. with the North congregation), Act. (now Columbia public office. religious of Liberty...” States. Americans. Louisiana America. is built in University). discrimination. Purchase. New York. 2 BABAGANEWZ H. ESHVAN SUPPLEMENT 5765 BABAGANEWZ.COM BABAGANEWZ.COM 5765 H. ESHVAN BABAGANEWZ SUPPLEMENT 3 Spotlight Gershom Mendes Seixas: A LEADER By Barbara Krasner-Khait IN ritish warships filled New York Harbor in early July 1776, and the clouds of DIFFICULT TIMES B war hovered over the city like a thick, suffocating blanket. Thirty-two H. AZZAN SEIXAS: Many of Shearith Israel’s have also helped raise funds to build synagogues and support members moved to Philadelphia. In 1780, I left Jewish communities throughout America. In all that I do, I thousand Redcoats marched towards New York Stratford to join them, and together, we established actively seek to fight for liberty and against intolerance. I travel City, and in response, General Washington Congregation Mikveh Israel. When the Revolution a great deal to perform circumcisions throughout the region, was over, some of the congregational leaders returned and everywhere I go, I try to teach others to be proud Jewish deployed 10,000 Patriots. As to New York and persuaded me to follow them. Americans. L IB R A danger loomed, Gershom R Y O F Did you return to your old synagogue? BABA: Thank you, Hazzan Seixas. History will remember your C BABA: . O Mendes Seixas (pronounced N G leadership well! R E S S Of course! I’ve been a part of say-shas) stood before his H. AZZAN SEIXAS: Shearith Israel for as long as I can remember—I even (Gershom Mendes Seixas lived from 1745 to 1816.) congregation, Shearith Israel, attended the Hebrew school here as a young boy. Our small Spanish-Portuguese community established this pleading with them to side with the rebels against synagogue in 1730—making it the oldest one in King George of England. SOCIETY,AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORICAL CENTRE, NEWTON YORK,AND NEW MA NY America! A LINK IN THE Though speaking out against the Crown meant BABA: And when did you become its CHAIN OF HISTORY rabbi? Jennifer Paress, 18, of Maplewood, risking death, this synagogue’s young leader argued New Jersey, is a direct descendant of it would be better to close the synagogue and leave H. AZZAN SEIXAS: Well, I’m not Gershom Mendes Seixas. really a rabbi. Although I the city rather than live under British tyranny. Not perform religious ceremonies BABA: How will you follow in Gershom’s footsteps? all of Seixas’ congregants, however, were prepared to BABA: It’s an honor to meet you, and help interpret religious H. azzan Seixas. Tell us what happened law for this community, I JENNIFER: Obviously, I can’t be the first American- S abandon their homes and businesses for the S on August 22, 1776, when the British E haven’t been ordained. born Jewish rabbi because that already happened. I R G N defeated General Washington and O America still doesn’t have any can, however, lead my life along the lines of all the revolutionary cause. Nonetheless, he persuaded a C F O occupied New York City. Y official, ordained rabbis. In fact, righteous things that Judaism encourages us to do. For R A R majority of them to leave with him before the B I I became the first American- L example, last summer I worked at a camp for kids with HAZZAN SEIXAS: Although it was British army advanced. Only a few days later, . born Jew to serve as a developmental problems. I ride in a rescue squad, and difficult to leave the synagogue and congregational leader when I was I’m vice president of my synagogue youth group. I community where I grew up, I felt strongly 1,300 Americans were captured, killed, or wounded elected H. azzan in 1768. involve myself in whatever I can. that we needed to stand firm against the British. in the fierce battle for New York City. We could no longer tolerate their tyranny; instead, BABA: What leadership roles do you take in BABA: What about your family heritage inspires you we needed to fight for the sacred cause of freedom. the community at large? the most? When we caught up with H. azzan Seixas in 1789, he The New World gives Jews a chance for a new life— Shearith Israel was built in 1730 in As you know, I serve as a was returning from George Washington’s one of real civil and religious liberty. Most Lower Manhattan H. AZZAN SEIXAS: JENNIFER: When I pray, I think of the fact that my congregants agreed with me, and they helped me move trustee to Columbia College, New York ancestors risked so much to come over here and be presidential inauguration. Seixas was invited to and is shown on this many of the Torah scrolls and ceremonial objects to 1755 map of New University, and the Humane Society. To help such active Jews. They were among the first Jews to participate as a “Jewish minister,” signaling Jewish Stratford, Connecticut. York City. Today, the the less fortunate, I have established a free experience religious freedom in America. Now, Judaism synagogue is on 70th burial society and an organization that gives in America is strong and vibrant thanks to their efforts. Street, near equality in the new nation and respect for Seixas’ tzedakah to the poor, sick, and needy in both BABA: Where did members of the congregation take Central Park.
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