Hebron Rabbi Spoke on Shavuot in 1773 Newport
The Israeli rabbi spoke on the holiday at the then decade old Touro Synagogue.
The Touro Synagogue, built in 1963, is America’s oldest synagogue.
Here is a piece I first wrote 40 years ago (unbelievable). The story once known, now forgotten.
The date was May 28, 1773, the first day of Shavuot 5533. The place: the Touro Synagogue in Newport, R.I. The rabbi who delivered the sermon was a visitor from Hebron, Palestine. The synagogue was filled for the holiday, not only with the members of Congregation Yeshuat Israel (initially called Nefutse Yisrael), but also the governor, a number of judges and the well-known minister Reverend Ezra Stiles.