Thursday, October 1, 2026
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in Newport, |
Rhode Island
One of the handsomest buildings
in Newport, Rhode Island, after its recent renovation, is the Touro
Synagogue. It is the oldest house of Jewish worship in North
America and the only surviving synagogue dating back to the
colonial era. It has also been designated as a National Historic
Site. Jews and Quakers were early settlers in the colony, which was
noted for its religious tolerance. It is still an active Orthodox
synagogue with services at 6 p.m. on Friday evenings this time of
the year.
The Touro Synagogue was
built in 1759 for the Jeshuat Israel congregation in Newport under
the leadership of Isaac de Touro of Amsterdam, Holland, and was
completed in 1763. Actually, the Jeshuat Israel congregation dates
back to 1658, when Sephardic families arrived from Spain, Portugal
and the Peter Stuyvesant Dutch colony of New Amsterdam, which
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became New York City. It was designed in 1759 by
noted architect and colonial master builder Peter Harrison in the
Georgian style after Sephardic Jewish temples in Portugal and Holland.
It is believed that the building’s simple elegant lines may have
influenced Thomas Jefferson’s plans for Monticello.
Thomas Jefferson, George
Washington and other prominent men of he time were visitors to the
synagogue, and it was to this Jewish community that George
Washington pledged religious freedom in the following proclamation
– “the government of the United States …gives to
bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance… May the
children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land continue
to merit and enjoy the good will of other Inhabitants; while
everyone shall sit in safety under his own vine and figtree, and
there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all
mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and makes us
all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own time and
way everlastingly happy.” This is read each year at Touro.
After the Revolution, the
building served as a temporary home for the General Assembly and
the state Supreme Court while the Colony house was repaired. I was
told that the synagogue’s interior is one of the most
beautiful in any colonial house of worship and also
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learned that a trap door under the tebah (bimah) is
believed to have been used as a temporary shelter for runaway slaves
while the synagogue was a stop on the Underground Railroad. A short
walk up the street, there is Touro Cemetery with headstones dating back
to the 1640s and inscribed in Hebrew, Spanish, Portuguese and English.
In past summers I have marveled
at the spectacular mansions that dot the landscape of Newport and
in this holiday season, I’m looking forward to their gilded
splendor. In addition to the Touro Synagogue, the mansions are the
most famed attractions and will be in the spirit of the season
starting in late November through Jan. 1. More than two thousand
poinsettia plants, approximately 20 decorated Christmas trees,
hundreds of yards of garlands, and dining tables set with period
silver and china will decorate the Breakers, The Elms and Marble
House in full holiday regalia.
Also in the spirit of the
season, the Astors’ Beechwood mansion invites guests to
celebrate Christmas traditions of the past, such as the waltz,
parlor games and classic carols on the special Victorian Christmas
tours. In addition to the tours, the Astors’ Beechwood
mansion will be hosting the premiere dinner party of the holiday
season with Victorian Christmas Feasts and festivities dating back
to 1891. At the front entrance, Mrs. Astor and her family will be
greeting and welcoming you to their home on Dec. 1, 8, and 15 at 7
p.m. and Dec. 3, 10, and 17 at 1 p.m. Wrapping up the holidays,
visitors can ring in the New Year with the talented Beechwood
Theatre Company at the New Year Gala held in the Beechwood
ballroom. Reservations are required. Additional information and
charges for all these events are available on
www.AstorsBeechwood.com
I also learned that new
this year will be a special holiday tour of Doris Duke’s
Rough Point mansion showcasing a Newport mansion as it really
looked at Christmastime. It is billed as “Undecked Halls: A
Glimpse Behind the Shutters at Rough Point.” Visitors will
see the few remaining staff at Rough Point decorating a small tree
in the servant’s wing and see a Newport mansion shuttered and
shrouded for the winter. They will hear about Miss Duke’s
tropical holiday in Hawaii and see the almost deserted mansion that
she left behind and where they will learn of winter cleaning
rituals that have remained the same for nearly a century.
Newport is also the home of
the Tennis Hall of Fame with a marvelous shop for tennis buffs,
where you can literally shop till you drop a bundle for Chanukah
and Christmas gifts.
Copyright by Marcia Abramson
E-mail: mascribe@verizon.net
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