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{{Infobox ethnic group
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group            = Spanish and Portuguese Jews in the United States
| group            = Spanish and Portuguese Jews in the United States

Revision as of 07:33, 29 September 2026

Template:Infobox ethnic group

Spanish and Portuguese Jews, Western Sephardim, or simply S&P are the oldest Jewish community in the United States.[1][2]

History

Template:Further

Gomez Mill House in Newburgh, NY, USA. One of the earliest known residences of a Jew in the future United States of America.

Initial settlements

The first Jews to arrive in North America were 23 Sephardim who fled religious persecution in Brazil after the Portuguese took over and brought the Inquisition in1654.[3][4][5] They landed a few days before Rosh Hashana.[6] Among the prominent people who came were Asser Levy, Luis Moses Gomez, Moses and Samuel Levy.[6]

Issues with the Reform

Not all Spanish-Portuguese were as dedicated to tradition as their fellow congregants. Some, such as Isaac Harby, openly called for reform. Changes included English services, as he claimed that many could not even understand the Hebrew language. Much of his support for reform was due to his belief that his community was ill educated on their own religion and Spanish-Portuguese customs, therefore being defenseless against Protestant missionaries.[7]

Contributions to George Washington's success

Several Sephardim participated in the American Revolutionary War such as Francis Salvador, Haym Salomon, and Moses Seixas.[8] Haym Salomon is considered to be one of the main financiers of the Revolutionary War and key to the success of Washington's Yorktown campaign.[9][10][11]

Francis Salvador was the first Jew killed in the Revolutionary War.[12]

In 1790, Moses Seixas, the president of Touro Synagogue wrote to George Washington to praise the religious freedoms in the Bill of Rights.[13] Washington responded affirming that the U.S. government gives "to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance"—anchored Jews firmly within American religious liberty. [14][15][16][17]

Gershom Mendes Seixas, brother of Moses Seixas, was the cantor of Congregation Shearith Israel, in New York and participated in George Washington's inauguration. He was also one of the founders of Columbia College.[18]

Culture, traditions, and customs

Language

Despite the name, most Spanish-Portuguese in the United States do not speak Spanish nor Portuguese, and any vestiges of either language remain only in the Hebrew pronunciation and traditional liturgy.[19] An example, Benjamin Nathan Cardozo, a notable Spanish-Portuguese lawyer and traditionalist, "confessed in 1937 that" after centuries in British North America, "his family preserved neither the Spanish language nor Iberian cultural traditions".[20] His ancestors had lived in England, the British colonies, and the United States since the 17th century.

Some Spanish table songs, most famously Bendigamos, are still sung by many Spanish-Portuguese.[21][22] However, Bendigamos is believed to have originated among the S&P community of Bordeaux, France and originally was sung in French.[23]

Unlike the Eastern Sephardim, the Spanish-Portuguese do not traditionally speak Ladino, but rather standard Spanish and Portuguese.

Clerical terminology

Hazzanim in the S&P rite are given the title of "Reverend". For much of the community's history in America, communities were led by hazzanim who were not ordained rabbis.[24]

Dress

R' Henry Pereira Mendes wearing the traditional robes of Spanish-Portuguese clergy.[25][26]

Traditionally, Spanish-Portuguese clerical attire consists of canonical robes, a top hat, and/or tricorn depending on the specific community and occasion.[27]

Silk prayer shawl

The silk tallitot used by the Livorno S&P community are similar to the American S&P.[28][29]

The traditional material used in the production of tallitot (prayer shawls) in Spanish-Portuguese communities in the United States, as well as others, is silk. It is theorized that the material contributed to the unique S&P way of donning the shawl.[30][31][32]

Traditionalism

Spanish-Portuguese communities place a heavy emphasis on the preservation of Western Sephardic liturgical customs and religious traditions, despite the fact that Spanish-Portuguese communities in the US have always included Ashkenazim.[33]

Thanksgiving service

Congregation Shearith Israel has been conducting Thanksgiving services since President George Washington first instituted the holiday in 1789.[34][35][36]

Architecture

Traditionally, Spanish-Portuguese synagogue architecture was based on older structures, such as the Portuguese Synagogue of Amsterdam and the Great Synagogue of Livorno.[37]

Spanish-Portuguese Jewish youth place flags on the graves of fallen Jewish veterans at the First Shearith Israel Graveyard during Memorial Day 2026.

Memorial Day

Every year, Shearith Israel hosts a Memorial Day ceremony in honor of veteran members of the community, notably those who perished during the American Revolutionary War.[38] The event is attended by the Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York color guard.[39]

Cuisine

Spanish-Portuguese cuisine in colonial America largely mirrored that of their fellow colonists, albeit with alterations to follow the laws of kashrut. Commonly eaten foods included corn, beans, fish, preserved fruit, preserved vegetables, and pickled vegetables.[40]

Halakhic approach

Though there is no uniquely Spanish-Portuguese approach to halakha, historically the predominant stream of Judaism in the community has been rationalist and Maimonidean. Kabbalah is also notably absent from the S&P rite.[41]

By region

Northeast

Southeast

Midwest

John Jacob Hays and Samuel Judah were two prominent Indiana settlers, having migrated to the region from New York.

West Coast

The San Francisco Grandees

Spanish-Portuguese Jews began establishing themselves in California along with their fellow settlers in the 19th century. One such settler was Charleston-born, Abraham Cohen Labatt, who established several Reform communities throughout the southern states and San Francisco.[42]

Modern communities

Historical communities

Institutions and organizations

Theological

Historical

Philanthropic and charitable

Political

Educational

Namesakes

Publications

Websites

Liturgy, customs, and traditions

General

  • S&P Central- Information hub for Spanish & Portuguese / Western Sephardic Jewish Communities

Media

Notable individuals and families

Families

Individuals

Notable non-Jewish descendants

See also

Template:Sephardic Jews topics

References

  1. ↑ "Introduction: Origins of the American Jewish Community" (in en). https://jwa.org/article/introduction-origins-of-american-jewish-community. 
  2. ↑ "Congregational History | Congregation Shearith Israel- Manhattan Orthodox Synagogue" (in en). 2022-05-19. https://www.shearithisrael.org/about/our-history/congregational-history/. 
  3. ↑ "Jews in Colonial New York" (in en). https://www.philipsemanorhall.com/blog/jews-in-colonial-new-york. 
  4. ↑ "The New York Historical" (in en). https://www.nyhistory.org/blogs/new-yorks-first-jews-came-from-brazil. 
  5. ↑ "Sephardic Jewish Americans | Religion and Philosophy | Research Starters | EBSCOhost" (in en). https://www.ebsco.com/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Shargel, Baila; Drimmer, Harold (1994). The Jews of Westchester County: A Social History. Purple Mountain Press. 
  7. ↑ Feldberg, Michael. "Isaac Harby" (in en-US). https://www.myjewishlearning.com/history/Modern_History/1700-1914/America_at_the_Turn_of_the_Century/Sephardic_Immigration/Charleston/americanization.shtml. 
  8. ↑ U, Sephardic (2023-05-29). "The Sephardic Jews in the American Revolutionary War: Contributions to Independence" (in en-US). https://sephardicu.com/sephardic-history/the-sephardic-jews-in-the-american-revolutionary-war-contributions-to-independence/. 
  9. ↑ "How Haym Salomon Helped to Finance the American Revolution" (in en). ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/haym-salomon-biography-4178500. 
  10. ↑ "Haym Salomon: Biography & Facts" (in en). https://www.britannica.com/money/Haym-Salomon. 
  11. ↑ Feldstein, Zavi (2021-06-02). "One Jew's Financial Support for the Revolutionary War" (in en-US). https://www.americanjewisharchives.org/snapshots/one-jews-financial-support-for-the-revolutionary-war/. 
  12. ↑ nell_porter_brown@harvard.edu (2003-01-01). "A "portion of the People" | Harvard Magazine" (in en). https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2003/01/a-portion-of-the-people-html. 
  13. ↑ Manca, Joseph (2016-02-01). "The Touro Synagogue: Peter Harrison, George Washington, and Religious Freedom in America" (in en-US). https://allthingsliberty.com/2016/02/the-touro-synagogue-peter-harrison-george-washington-and-religious-freedom-in-america/. 
  14. ↑ "From George Washington to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island - Wednesday, August 18, 1790 | George Washington's Mount Vernon" (in en). https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/past-projects/quotes/article/for-happily-the-government-of-the-united-states-which-gives-to-bigotry-no-sanction-to-persecution-no-assistance-requires-only-that-they-who-live-under-its-protection-should-demean-themselves-as-good-citizens-in-giving-it-on-all-occasions-their-effectual-s. 
  15. ↑ "George Washington to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, 18 August 1790". https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-06-02-0135. 
  16. ↑ "George Washington’s Letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island | Loeb Institute | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University" (in en). https://loeb.columbian.gwu.edu/george-washingtons-letter-hebrew-congregation-newport-rhode-island. 
  17. ↑ GEFFEN, ByDAVID (2026-02-14). "George Washington’s role in Jewish freedom in US | The Jerusalem Post" (in en). https://www.jpost.com/history/article-886447. 
  18. ↑ "SEIXAS - JewishEncyclopedia.com". https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/13396-seixas. 
  19. ↑ "Shearith Israel, Oldest Synagogue Here, Rich with Hoary Memories" (in en-US). https://www.jta.org/archive/shearith-israel-oldest-synagogue-here-rich-with-hoary-memories. 
  20. ↑ Aviva Ben-Ur (2009). Sephardic Jews in America: A Diasporic History. New York: NYU Press. p. 86. ISBN 978-0-8147-8632-1. https://books.google.com/books?id=JZQwMhgF8VkC&pg=PA86. Retrieved on 2016-02-19. 
  21. ↑ "London Sephardi Music - Bendigamos" (in en-US). https://sites.google.com/site/londonsephardimusic/table-songs/bendigamos. 
  22. ↑ "Bendigamos | jewishmusic" (in en). https://jewish-music.huji.ac.il/en/node/23713. 
  23. ↑ "London Sephardi Music - Bendigamos" (in en-US). https://sites.google.com/site/londonsephardimusic/table-songs/bendigamos. 
  24. ↑ Levine, Dr Yitzchok (2013-09-11). "Reverend Henry Pereira Mendes: Orthodox Stalwart (Part I)" (in en-US). https://www.ou.org/life/community/reverend-henry-pereira-mendes-orthodox-stalwart-part/. 
  25. ↑ e, e (2016-05-19). "Kedoshim and Canonicals 5776" (in en-GB). https://www.sephardi.org.uk/kedoshim-and-canonicals/. 
  26. ↑ "'A Most Beloved Part of Our Service':The Slow Procession to the Ark in a Sephardic Synagogue – Covering Religion". https://coveringreligion.org/2023/03/06/a-most-beloved-part-of-our-servicethe-slow-procession-to-the-ark-in-a-sephardic-synagogue/. 
  27. ↑ "Our tradition" (in en-US). https://www.esnoga.com/en/traditions/. 
  28. ↑ Somekh, Simone (2018-12-11). "This $500 Pure Silk Tallit Is Produced In An Italian Village — Alongside Hermes Scarves" (in en). https://forward.com/life/415714/this-500-pure-silk-tallit-is-produced-in-a-village-in-northern-italy/. 
  29. ↑ shalommorris (2017-06-23). "Shelah – The Western Sephardic Talet" (in en). https://shalommorris.com/2017/06/23/shelah-the-western-sephardic-talet/. 
  30. ↑ Somekh, Simone (2018-12-11). "This $500 Pure Silk Tallit Is Produced In An Italian Village — Alongside Hermes Scarves" (in en). https://forward.com/life/415714/this-500-pure-silk-tallit-is-produced-in-a-village-in-northern-italy/. 
  31. ↑ "Silk Tallit - Jewish Tradition" (in en). https://talleddiseta.com/. 
  32. ↑ shalommorris (2017-06-23). "Shelah – The Western Sephardic Talet" (in en). https://shalommorris.com/2017/06/23/shelah-the-western-sephardic-talet/. 
  33. ↑ "Our Minhag | Congregation Shearith Israel- Manhattan Orthodox Synagogue" (in en). 2022-05-19. https://www.shearithisrael.org/about/our-minhag/. 
  34. ↑ "Thanksgiving at Shearith Israel | Congregation Shearith Israel - Manhattan Orthodox Synagogue" (in en). 2022-05-31. https://www.shearithisrael.org/programs/holidays/thanksgiving-at-shearith-israel/. 
  35. ↑ Zeffren, Tamar (2024-11-22). "Trustees of Congregation Shearith Israel Regarding Thanksgiving Day, 1847" (in en-US). https://ajhs.org/trustees-of-congregation-shearith-israel-regarding-thanksgiving-day-1847/. 
  36. ↑ Gilson, Grace (2025-11-28). "Oldest Jewish congregation in US launches Manhattan kosher food pantry on Thanksgiving" (in en-US). The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. https://www.timesofisrael.com/oldest-jewish-congregation-in-us-launches-manhatten-kosher-food-pantry-on-thanksgiving/. 
  37. ↑ Perelis, Ronnie (2019). "Jewish sacred architecture in the Spanish and Portuguese diaspora". https://repository.yu.edu/items/cc20b67e-6bac-43ca-b267-208a8510cfd4. 
  38. ↑ "Memorial Day | Congregation Shearith Israel - Manhattan Orthodox Synagogue" (in en). 2022-05-31. https://www.shearithisrael.org/programs/holidays/memorial-day/. 
  39. ↑ "Color Guard" (in en-US). https://www.sonsoftherevolution.org/color-guard. 
  40. ↑ Hausman, Judith (2016-02-25). "Foodways of Colonial Sephardim in the Hudson Valley" (in en-US). https://hvmag.com/life-style/news/foodways-of-colonial-sephardim-in-the-hudson-valley/. 
  41. ↑ Howard••, Aaron. "Jewish Herald-Voice". https://jhvonline.com/the-legacy-of-spanishportuguese-jewry-p934-89.htm. 
  42. ↑ Association, Texas State Historical. "Abraham Cohen Labatt: Pioneer of Jewish Reform in America" (in en). https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/labatt-abraham-cohen. 
  43. ↑ "Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue (U.S. National Park Service)" (in en). https://www.nps.gov/places/kahal-kadosh-beth-elohim-synagogue.htm. 
  44. ↑ "Touro Synagogue" (in en-US). http://tourosynagogue.com/about-us/ourhistory/. 
  45. ↑ "History of CMI - Congregation Mickve Israel". https://www.mickveisrael.org/history-of-cmi.html. 
  46. ↑ "The Touro Synagogue - Newport, RI" (in en-US). 2025-05-28. https://www.thetourosynagogue.org/. 
  47. ↑ "Our Historic Synagogue" (in en-US). https://synagogue.vi/our-historic-synagogue/. 
  48. ↑ "History - Congregation Beth Ahabah". https://www.bethahabah.org/heritage/history/. 
  49. ↑ Levine, Dr Yitzchok (2013-09-11). "Reverend Henry Pereira Mendes: Orthodox Stalwart (Part I)" (in en-US). https://www.ou.org/life/community/reverend-henry-pereira-mendes-orthodox-stalwart-part/. 
  50. ↑ Markovitz, Eugene (1966). "Henry Pereira Mendes: Architect of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America". American Jewish Historical Quarterly 55 (3): 364–384. ISSN 0002-9068. https://www.jstor.org/stable/23875623. 
  51. ↑ "About Us | jewishideas.org". https://www.jewishideas.org/about-us. 
  52. ↑ "Rabbi Marc Angel - MJHI" (in en-US). https://manhattanjewish.org/2023_hall_of_fame/rabbi-marc-angel/index.htm. 
  53. ↑ "Gomez Mill House: An American Treasure". https://www.gomez.org/about.html. 
  54. ↑ "Fiftieth Anniversary of the "Hebra Hased Va Amet" Hebrew Benevolent Society." (in en-US). The New York Times. 1852-11-12. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/1852/11/12/archives/fiftieth-anniversary-of-the-hebra-hased-va-amet-hebrew-benevolent.html. 
  55. ↑ by. "Meir Soloveichik" (in en). https://www.tabletmag.com/contributors/meir-soloveichik. 
  56. ↑ "History of JTS - Jewish Theological Seminary" (in en-US). 2015-09-29. https://www.jtsa.edu/history-of-jts/. 
  57. ↑ "PTTS Hebrew School | Congregation Shearith Israel - Manhattan Orthodox Synagogue" (in en). 2022-05-20. https://www.shearithisrael.org/programs/youth/ptts-school/. 
  58. ↑ "The Meaning of Trump's $10 Million Grant to a Jewish Nonprofit" (in en). https://jewishcurrents.org/the-meaning-of-trumps-10-million-grant-to-a-jewish-nonprofit. 
  59. ↑ "Sephardic Programs" (in en). https://www.yu.edu/JLL/Sephardic. 
  60. ↑ "About Us | The Ḥabura" (in en). https://www.thehabura.com/about. 
  61. ↑ Martinez, Nicole (2014-06-29). "First Trailer for Mini-Series of Acclaimed 'The Book of Negroes'" (in en-US). https://www.abhmuseum.org/first-trailer-for-mini-series-of-acclaimed-the-book-of-negroes/. 
  62. ↑ "Moses Ezekiel" (in en). https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/moses-ezekiel. 
  63. ↑ "An Exclusive Tour of the Shearith Israel Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue Cemetery on West 11th Street - Village Preservation" (in en-US). 2021-07-19. https://www.villagepreservation.org/event/an-exclusive-tour-of-the-shearith-israel-spanish-and-portuguese-synagogue-cemetery-on-west-11th-street/,%20https://www.villagepreservation.org/event/an-exclusive-tour-of-the-shearith-israel-spanish-and-portuguese-synagogue-cemetery-on-west-11th-street/. 
  64. ↑ Staff, ToI (2023-10-12). "Sgt. First Class Yosef Malachi Guedalia, 22: 'A very gentle, sweet person'" (in en-US). The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. https://www.timesofisrael.com/sgt-first-class-yosef-malachi-guedalia-22-a-very-gentle-sweet-person/. 
  65. ↑ "RABBI SHALOM MORRIS" (in en-GB). https://www.sephardi.org.uk/about/rabbis/rabbi-shalom-morris/. 
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