Oldest Synagogue In The Us

Visitors to the Museum at Eldridge Street often ask if our landmark site – the 1887 Eldridge Street Synagogue – is the oldest synagogue in America. The answer is no. I was surprised to learn that the oldest synagogue is not in New York City, merely in Newport, Rhode Isle. Discovering this fact ignited an urge to acquire more well-nigh the history of American synagogues.

While researching, I realized that the terms 'synagogues' and 'congregations' were not interchangeable. 'Synagogue' only refers to the building where Jews pray, and 'congregation' refers to a group of Jews who pray together.

Touro Synagogue – The Oldest Synagogue in America

The honor of oldest standing synagogue in the U.s.a. goes to the Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island. Sephardic Jews, a community originating from Spain and Portugal, built information technology in 1759. The congregation was office of the earliest wave of Jews to come to the United States, arriving as early on as 1654 from Recife, Brazil. Jews first arrived in Newport in the 17th century. Increased commercial activity and immigration encouraged the community to construct their own synagogue. Architect Peter Harrison drew inspiration from Venetian architecture, ironically the urban center that created the first Jewish ghetto. Prayer services are still held on the Sabbath and Jewish holidays. The congregation maintains the traditional Sephardic practice of the synagogue'due south founders.

St. Thomas – The Oldest Synagogue in Continuous Use

The St. Thomas Synagogue is not only the second oldest synagogue in the The states, simply also claims be to the "oldest in continuous utilize." Spanish and Portuguese Jews, who settled on the island to merchandise between Europe and the New Earth, built it in 1833. Today, it is spiritual dwelling house to permanent family members too every bit seasonal visitors.

Ansche Chesed/Affections Orensanz Heart – The Oldest Surviving NYC Synagogue Building

In New York Metropolis, the city with the largest Jewish population in the earth, the oldest surviving synagogue is on Norfolk Street on the Lower East Side. Built in 1849, the synagogue housed the Ansche Chesed Congregation, primarily composed of German Jews. This community began arriving in significant numbers in the mid 19th century and introduced Reform traditions into the prayer service. In 1986, the sculptor Angel Orensanz purchased the property and turned it into his private studio and events center, calling it the Affections Orensanz Eye. Today, the building has no religious affiliation and is primarily used as a space rental venue. Famous celebrity weddings include that of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick.

Shearith State of israel – The Oldest Congregation

While their building is not the oldest, the oldest congregation in the Us is New York Metropolis's Shearith Israel. Spanish and Portuguese Jews founded the congregation in 1654 after fleeing the Inquisition in the Portuguese colony of Brazil. Over the centuries, Shearith Israel moved around. The congregation first held services in a synagogue on Factory Street and relocated to diverse locations before settling on West 70th Street in 1897.

Museum at Eldridge Street - Historic Synagogues — Eldridge Street Synagogue – Photo by Peter Aaron

The Eldridge Street Synagogue

The 1887 Eldridge Street Synagogue is historically significant because it was the first synagogue congenital by Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe from whom approximately 80% of American Jews today are descended.

The Eldridge Street Synagogue was built during a period of mass clearing from 1880 to 1924 when more 25 one thousand thousand immigrants, including more than than two.v 1000000 Jews, came to the United States. Close to 85% of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe came to New York City; and approximately iii quarters of them settled initially on the Lower East Side.

Today, it is the only remaining marker of the one-time Jewish Lower East Side that is open up to the public. Tens of thousands of people visit the Museum for tours, exhibitions and cultural events. A small group of worshipers continues to meet for Sabbath and vacation services maintaining the Orthodox traditions of the synagogue'due south founding congregation.

Collectively these synagogues assistance us trace the early history of Jews in America from colonial times to the period of mass Jewish migration. In detail, because today most American Jews accept roots in the Lower E Side, the Eldridge Street Synagogue has not only shaped Jewish American culture, but also American culture.

By Julia Echikson, Museum at Eldridge Street Intern