Isaac Touro
Encyclopedia
The Reverend Isaac Touro (1738 – 8 December 1783) was a Jewish leader in colonial America
. Born in Amsterdam
, in 1758 he left for Jamaica
. In 1760, he arrived to serve as hazzan
and spiritual leader of Congregation Jeshuath Israel in Newport, Rhode Island
. Soon after his arrival the congregation built the Touro Synagogue
, which is today one of the oldest synagogues in the USA.
When the American Revolution
broke out, Touro was a Loyalist
, and when the British captured Newport in 1776, he remained in the city with his wife Reyna and their children, while many of his Whig
congregants fled. In 1779, he moved with the British to New York
, but he had no means of supporting himself there, and was dependent on British charity, so in 1782 he moved to Kingston, Jamaica
, where he died in 1783.
His sons Abraham and Judah
were renowned philanthropists.
, chartered in New York State in 1970, takes its name from the Touro family of Judah Touro
and his father Isaac Touro. Judah Touro and Isaac Touro were Jewish community leaders of colonial America
, who represent the ideals upon which Touro College bases its mission. Inspired by the democratic ethos enunciated by founding US President
George Washington
at Newport, Rhode Island
when he visited the Touro Synagogue
in 1790, the Touro family provided major endowments for universities, the first free library on the North American continent, community health facilities in the United States, and pioneering settlements in Israel.
Colonial America
The colonial history of the United States covers the history from the start of European settlement and especially the history of the thirteen colonies of Britain until they declared independence in 1776. In the late 16th century, England, France, Spain and the Netherlands launched major...
. Born in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, in 1758 he left for Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
. In 1760, he arrived to serve as hazzan
Hazzan
A hazzan or chazzan is a Jewish cantor, a musician trained in the vocal arts who helps lead the congregation in songful prayer.There are many rules relating to how a cantor should lead services, but the idea of a cantor as a paid professional does not exist in classical rabbinic sources...
and spiritual leader of Congregation Jeshuath Israel in Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
. Soon after his arrival the congregation built the Touro Synagogue
Touro Synagogue
The Touro Synagogue is a 1763 synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, that is the oldest synagogue building still standing in the United States,the oldest surviving Jewish synagogue building in North America, and the only surviving synagogue building in the U.S...
, which is today one of the oldest synagogues in the USA.
When the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
broke out, Touro was a Loyalist
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
, and when the British captured Newport in 1776, he remained in the city with his wife Reyna and their children, while many of his Whig
Patriot (American Revolution)
Patriots is a name often used to describe the colonists of the British Thirteen United Colonies who rebelled against British control during the American Revolution. It was their leading figures who, in July 1776, declared the United States of America an independent nation...
congregants fled. In 1779, he moved with the British to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, but he had no means of supporting himself there, and was dependent on British charity, so in 1782 he moved to Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
, where he died in 1783.
His sons Abraham and Judah
Judah Touro
Judah Touro was an American businessman and philanthropist.-Early life and career:...
were renowned philanthropists.
Touro College named for the Touro family
Touro CollegeTouro College
Touro College is a sponsored independent institution of higher and professional education, in New York City, New York, United States. Founded by Dr. Bernard Lander, the College was established primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage, and to serve the larger American community...
, chartered in New York State in 1970, takes its name from the Touro family of Judah Touro
Judah Touro
Judah Touro was an American businessman and philanthropist.-Early life and career:...
and his father Isaac Touro. Judah Touro and Isaac Touro were Jewish community leaders of colonial America
Colonial America
The colonial history of the United States covers the history from the start of European settlement and especially the history of the thirteen colonies of Britain until they declared independence in 1776. In the late 16th century, England, France, Spain and the Netherlands launched major...
, who represent the ideals upon which Touro College bases its mission. Inspired by the democratic ethos enunciated by founding US President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
at Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
when he visited the Touro Synagogue
Touro Synagogue
The Touro Synagogue is a 1763 synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, that is the oldest synagogue building still standing in the United States,the oldest surviving Jewish synagogue building in North America, and the only surviving synagogue building in the U.S...
in 1790, the Touro family provided major endowments for universities, the first free library on the North American continent, community health facilities in the United States, and pioneering settlements in Israel.