Title

Description

This rare synagogue constitution was printed in 1860 in New Orleans. In the early days of New Orleans’ settlement by Europeans, the first Jews to arrive in Louisiana were nearly all Sephardic Jews, generally descendants of Spanish and Portuguese Jews. In 1827, they founded  Shangarai Chasset (Sha’arei Chesed),  the very first synagogue in the country outside of the original thirteen colonies. By 1847, the Jewish population had become predominantly French and German (Ashkenazi). As a result, a Sephardi named Gershom Kursheedt convinced his fellow businessman Judah Touro (1775-1854) to establish a new Sephardic synagogue, which was called Nefutsoth Judah (The Dispersed of Judah). Kursheedt also tutored Judah Touro into becoming a practicing Jew and America’s first great philanthropist. Having never married and being the last surviving member of the Touro family of Newport, Rhode Island, Judah bequeathed in his will $500,000 (equivalent to some $2 billion today) to institutions around the country, including non-Jewish causes. This 1860 constitution includes a portrait of its benefactor. By 1881, the Portuguese Jewish community had declined to the point where it merged with another congregation. In 1937, the congregation changed its name to the Touro Synagogue, in honor of its original benefactor. Despite the constitution’s insistence on Jewish law being followed (see below), the synagogue eventually joined the reform movement.  

The constitution of the synagogues lists the names of its members and the dates that they joined the congregation. It also includes a long list of articles which the synagogue officers and members must uphold. Of note is the requirement in Article VIII that the congregation must always employ a shohet (kosher slaughterer). Article II states that the prayer and ceremonies shall forever be read and performed “according to the manner and customs of the Portuguese Jews, according to Minhag Sephardim.” Article V notes that any members who had at one time been baptized had to make “a public avowal of atonement for such act, according to our laws,” and “any member who marries in contravention to the laws of the Jews, shall forfeit all the rights and privileges of membership.” 

Category

Year of Publication/Creation

1860

Place of Publication/Creation

New Orleans

Language(s)

English

Geographic Places

Synagogue Constitutions (read online)

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA (read online)