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Newport's Congregation Yeshuat Israel, led by warden Moses Seixas, was reluctant to offend the Rhode Island legislature by addressing the president before the state had ratified the Constitution. When Rhode Island finally ratified on May 29, 1790, the congregation could act. President Washington visited Newport in August of 1790, and Moses Seixas presented the congregation's letter. Newport's Jews wrote of their hope that the new government would accept them as full citizens, despite having been denied civil liberties in the past. "Deprived as we heretofore have been of the invaluable rights of free Citizens, we now (with a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty disposer of all events) behold a Government, erected by the Majesty of the People—a Government, which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance—but generously affording to All liberty of conscience, and immunities of Citizenship: deeming every one, of whatever Nation, tongue, or language, equal parts of the great governmental Machine." Washington's response to their address was sent August 21, 1790. As in other letters to Jewish congregations, the President explicitly acknowledges Jewish participation in the new nation. However, the Newport letter stands out for its clear and unequivocal language. "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." He goes on to oppose the mere "toleration" of religious differences and instead emphasizes religious liberty in "the exercise of inherent natural rights," echoing the words of the Declaration of Independence. "All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support." |
In 1658, the small but growing colony of Newport, Rhode Island received its first Jewish residents. These fifteen families came from Barbados, where a Jewish community had existed since the 1620s. Upon their arrival they formalized a new congregation in Newport (the second oldest Jewish congregation in the United States) calling themselves Yeshuat Israel(Salvation of Israel). By 1677, the community realized the need to acquire land for a Jewish cemetery. In 1763, the congregation dedicated Touro Synagogue, where Congregation Jeshuat Israel still holds services. |
