Do you know that the first Jewish congregation in North America is right here in New York City? It is the Congregation Shearith Israel. It is also known as the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue. We stand before a testament to the enduring spirit of Sephardic Jews. Their journey began far from here.
In 1654, twenty-three Jews arrived in New Amsterdam. They came from Recife, Brazil. They were of Spanish and Portuguese origin. The Portuguese had taken control of Recife. With them came the Inquisition. The Jews of Recife had to leave. Some went back to Amsterdam. Others sought refuge in the Caribbean. A group of twenty-three landed in New Amsterdam.
Governor Peter Stuyvesant did not welcome them. He did not want Jews to settle in New Amsterdam. But these pioneers fought for their rights. In 1655, they won permission from the Dutch West India Company to stay.
In colonial times, the Jewish community was small. They could only worship quietly in their homes. In 1655, a sefer torah arrived from Amsterdam. In 1656, land was granted for a cemetery.
In 1664, New Amsterdam became New York. Many of the original Jewish settlers returned to Holland. Only Asser Levy and a few others remained. By 1682, the Jews of New York were holding regular services again. They acquired more land for burial. This is now the Chatham Square Cemetery.
A synagogue existed on Beaver Street by 1695. By 1700, the synagogue was in a house on Mill Street. The first purpose-built synagogue was erected in 1730. It was known as the Mill Street Synagogue. Some of its furnishings are still in use today. They are in the Little Synagogue.
Shearith Israel adopted rules and regulations in 1705 or 1706. The earliest constitution dates from 1728. It is written in English and Portuguese.
Shearith Israel has always had Sephardic and Ashkenazi members. The service follows Spanish and Portuguese customs. But the membership is diverse. Sephardim and Ashkenazim work together. They ensure the well-being of the Congregation and community.
From 1654 to 1825, Shearith Israel was the only Jewish Congregation in New York City. All Jews in New York belonged to this Congregation. It provided for all their needs from birth to death. It offered education in religious and general subjects. It provided kosher meat and Passover provisions. It performed charitable functions for the Jewish people.
As the Jewish community grew, Shearith Israel was involved in communal enterprises. The Sisterhood ran settlement houses on the Lower East Side. These served newly arriving Sephardic immigrants. Shearith Israel was active in the New York Kehillah movement. It also supported the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. Other involvements included the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies and United Jewish Appeal.
Shearith Israel established a religious school in 1802. It was endowed by Meyer Polonies. This school still bears the Polonies name. It continues to provide Jewish education to children.
Rabbi Dr. Henry Pereira Mendes served Shearith Israel from 1877 to 1937. He founded the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. With Rabbi Sabato Morais, he co-founded the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Dr. Mendes also helped found the New York Board of Jewish Ministers. He was also involved in the Lexington School for the Deaf and Montefiore Hospital.
Rabbi Dr. David de Sola Pool served Shearith Israel from 1907 to 1970. He worked with newly arriving Sephardic immigrants. In 1928, he founded the Union of Sephardic Congregations. He prepared and published Sephardic prayer books. Dr. Pool and his wife Tamar led the Young Judea Youth Movement of Hadassah.
Members of Shearith Israel founded institutions. These include the New York Stock Exchange and Mt. Sinai Hospital. Others are the 92nd Street Y and the American Sephardi Federation. They also founded Sephardic House and the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals. They have been leaders on the boards of Yeshiva University. They also led the American Jewish Committee and the New-York Historical Society. Furthermore, they were leaders at the Metropolitan Opera and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s.
Today, Congregation Shearith Israel remains a vibrant center of Jewish life. It embodies the history. It also represents the traditions of Sephardic Judaism in New York City. Its story is one of resilience. It is also a story of community and faith. It continues to shape the landscape of Jewish New York.