Touro Synagogue’s role in U.S. history
Last month I showed a couple of Hanukkah covers from my United States Judaica cover collections. Another of my collections is the 1982 Touro Synagogue stamp. Again, I collect first day covers of the U.S. stamp with different cachets.
The Touro Synagogue was built in 1763 in Newport, Rhode Island. It is the oldest synagogue building still standing in the United States, and the only surviving synagogue building in the U.S. dating to the colonial era. In 1946, it was declared a National Historic Site.
On August 17, 1790, George Washington visited Newport. The synagogue’s warden, Moses Seixas, wrote to Washington expressing the support of the congregation for his administration and good wishes for him. Washington sent a letter on August 21 in response, which read in part:
“…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 the other inhabitants; while everyone shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.
“May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.”
The letter is considered a seminal statement on religious freedom in American history.
Nearby is a cover with a Powell Cachet, featuring George Washington (Figure 1). Zoila Powell specialized in limited edition watercolors. Five copies were produced.
Another cover (Figure 2) shows an exterior view of the synagogue and is designed by Karen’s Cachet. Karen Sabinsky’s handcolored design features the synagogue with a Star of David and a Torah above. This was produced in a limited edition of 248.
The final cover (Figure 3) is a Dorothy Knapp cachet. It shows an exterior view of the synagogue with the wording, “A Tribute to Religious Freedom.” Dorothy Knapp’s hand-painted designs were usually in groups of 50 or less.
I hope all of you continue to enjoy your collecting and that you are enjoying the search for new material. Be sure to visit a stamp show this summer.
Don’t forget that our July and August meetings will be on Zoom. Links will be sent via email in advance.
Philatelically yours,
Howard S. Chapman