Virtual library lecture illuminates history of first Jewish Americans

COPAKE — Area residents and history buffs were treated to the fascinating story surrounding the first Jewish Americans of the New World as featured in the New-York Historical Society’s recent virtual lecture on Wednesday, March 23, at 6 p.m.

Last Wednesday’s Zoom talk was the last in a series of New-York Historical Society lectures presented in partnership with the Columbia County Libraries Association; the Roeliff Jansen Community Library in Copake was among those that shared the talk with its patrons.

Eager to cover as much history that evening as possible, New-York Historical Society Docent Beth Skobel used archival documents, maps, portraits and other historic objects and images as visuals in her presentation.

Elaborating on the Jewish people’s expulsion from Europe and their migration to and settlement in the New World, Skobel shared tales of how Jews fled the Inquisition, only to find trouble in their travels.

Among the stories told, she talked about their leaving Recife, Brazil, after the Portuguese retook Recife and brought the Inquisition with them. While some returned to Amsterdam or else fled to the Dutch, French and English colonies in the Caribbean, Skobel said one ship carrying 23 Jews back to Amsterdam was captured by pirates.

Though they were rescued from pirates by a French ship, they were held hostage until they could pay the French ship’s captain. Some sold their belongings to raise the ransom.

Eventually, Skobel said pleas reached friends in Amsterdam, who sent the rest of the money and the 23 Jews were released.

However, their troubles continued when they arrived at the border of New Amsterdam (later named New York City after the British took over) and were refused admittance by the Dutch Governor Peter Stuyvesant until he could contact the Dutch West India Company.

Skobel explained the Dutch West India Company respected the Jews’ business acumen and told Stuyvesant to admit them. She mentioned it may have helped that there were Jewish members on the company’s board of directors.

As Jews settled into the New World, Skobel touched on their endeavors to carve a place for themselves and their culture in their new home.

She highlighted the building of the Mill Street Synagogue (the first Jewish synagogue in North America); Congregation Shearith Israel’s work as the overseeing body of Judaism; and several prominent Jewish figures who helped shape Jewish culture and history in the New World.

Recounting the start of the British army’s seven-year occupation of New York City in 1776, Skobel said it was around this year that two British soldiers vandalized Congregation Shearith Israel and burned the synagogue’s scrolls of the Torah. Projecting an image of the damaged scrolls, she said this type of damage would have normally made the Torah unfit for ritual use and the sacred scriptures would have been buried, but said it was likely because of its history that the congregation has chosen to keep it for all these years.

Focusing on a Jewish settlement in Newport, R.I., Skobel highlighted George Washington’s visit with Newport’s Hebrew Congregation in 1790 and his heartfelt letter to the citizen groups that addressed him during his visit. More than a simple courtesy, Skobel said Washington’s letter reflected the policy of the new government toward those whose religious beliefs were perceived as different.

“In 340 well-chosen words, the letter reassures those who fled from religious tyranny that life in their new nation would be different; that religious toleration would give way to religious liberty; and that the government would not interfere with individuals’ matters of conscious and belief,” Skobel said as she projected a quote from his letter.

Moving on to Philadelphia, Skobel spoke of the Female Benevolent Society and the Hebrew Sunday School Society, both founded by Rebecca Gratz and her colleagues. Both were seen as how philanthropic activity was an appropriate public undertaking for respectable women.

Elsewhere in the New World, Skobel highlighted the role Charleston, S.C., played as home to the largest Jewish community in North America until the 1830s.

Telling the story of the Reformed Society of Israelites, Skobel said a group of 47 Jewish members petitioned to make worship more accessible by introducing prayers in English; when their request was denied, they formed their own congregation. Skobel said many of their principles and practices have become part of today’s reformed Judaism.

Entitled “First Jewish Americans Columbia Counties Libraries Association 3 23 22,” a video of the New-York Historical Society’s presentation can be temporarily found online under the “VolunteerNYHS” YouTube channel and is worth watching.

As a prominent Jewish figure in the New World, the New-York Historical Society’s lecture touched on the work of Rebecca Gratz and her colleagues in founding both the Female Benevolent Society and the Hebrew Sunday School Society. Photo submitted