Virtual Tours: From Spain and Portugal to the first Jewish congregation in North America

Aug 7, 2020 by Two Sues On the Aisle

By Sue Weston and Susie Rosenbluth, Two Sues on the Aisle

Everyone loves a good story, especially one with Jewish pirates. The history of Congregation Shearith Israel began with the history of Jews in Spain, dating back to 930 BCE the time of King Solomon. Civilization thrived until the Inquisition, when the Church push for conversion. This gave rise to marrano and conversos, Spanish and Portuguese Jews who converted by continued practicing in secret. Janet R. Kirchheimer, licensed NYC Tour Guide and long-time member of synagogue Congregation Shearith Israel shared the history which ended up with migration to the New World, beginning with an exodus to Holland referred to as New Jerusalem because of religious freedom, followed in the 1600s with a journey to Brazil (the site of the oldest synagogue in the Americas – Sinagoga Kahal Zur Israel)

They were on the move again in 1653 when the Portuguese took the colonies from the Dutch allowing only three months for the Jews to settle their affairs. 16 ships left Brazil and ended up in Jamaica, how they got there is unclear, one theory is that they were blown off course, another is that they were captured by pirates. Janet discussed the Jewish pirates of the Caribbean, who fought against the Spanish in the Inquisition based on the logic that ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’. She shared stories of the Rabbi pirate Shmuel Baylash, who donated10% of his booty to charity, hired a kosher cook, and did not work on Shabbos.

But we digress .. . While they were not the first Jews to arrive in North America, they were the first to receive a Torah in 1664. They joined forces with Asher Levy, and negotiated with Peter Stuyvesant for the right to protect the walls (surrounding the Wall Street settlement). Janet shared the colorful antics of Asher Levy, the first kosher butcher because he applied for a license which exempted him from slaughtering pigs, he pledged allegiance to Britain, and was the first Jew to serve on a jury.

The synagogue moved as the Jewish population grew and migrated uptown.

Originally located on18 Beaver Street
In 1728 land was purchased on Mill Street, and opened in 1730
1834 it moved to Crosby Street
1860 to 5th Avenue and 19th Street
1897 it moved to its current location on 70th and Central Park West

The story of the Congregation Shearith has a proud linage which includes:

Gershom Mendes Seixas (1745-1816) was the first American-born spiritual leader of Shearith Israel.
Maud Nathan (1862-1946) appointed by Theodore Roosevelt as head of the women’s suffrage committee in his National Progressive Party.
Benjamin Nathan Cardozo (1870-1939) appointed by Herbert Hoover to the United States Supreme Court.
Emma Lazarus (1849-1887) is best known for her famous poem, “The New Colossus,” written in 1883, and inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty in 1903.
Rabbi Dr. Henry Pereira Mendes (1877 – 1937) founder and first President of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.

No virtual tour is complete without a private behind the scenes exploration of the building and artifacts. Presenting a balance of opulence and simplicity, awe and splendor, a hidden treasure in the heart of New York City which is still an operating synagogue.

The Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy (LESJC) is 21 years young. It was created to preserve and share the Jewish history and heritage of the Lower East Side, and expanding to explore the migration of the Jewish population. The Conservancy is planning to resume in-person tours in the Fall. This organization is a treasure, dedicated to education, retelling stories, and keeping the legacy of Jewish history, landmarks, and people alive.

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Two Sues on the Aisle bases its ratings on how many challahs it pays to buy (rather than make) in order to see the play, show, film, or exhibit being reviewed. (5 Challah is our highest rating)