Isaac Touro

Isaac Touro was a prominent figure in colonial America, serving as a rabbi and spiritual leader. Born in Amsterdam, he later relocated to Jamaica in 1758, before ultimately settling in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1760. In Newport, Touro took on the role of hazzan and spiritual leader of Jeshuath Israel, a congregation of Portuguese Sephardic Jews.

Touro's arrival in Newport coincided with a significant development in the history of American Judaism. Soon after he began his tenure, the Jeshuath Israel congregation constructed the Touro Synagogue, which would become the oldest synagogue in the United States. Although initially noted for his role in the musical aspects of worship, Touro's legacy extends beyond his musical contributions, as he played a key part in establishing a thriving Jewish community in colonial America.