Gershom Mendes Seixas (1745 – 1816) was born in Newport, Rhode Island. His father was a merchant and supporter of the American revolution. His older brother Moses helped found the Bank of Rhode Island. A younger brother Abraham served as an officer in the Continental Army. Another brother Benjamin was one of the founders of the New York Stock Exchange.

Gershom moved to New York. He became the religious leader of Shearith Israel, New York City’s oldest Jewish congregation. He served as its leader for about 50 years. He is believed to be the first native-born Jewish religious leader and the first to deliver sermons in English.

Seixas was a Patriot. When the Birtish fleet sailed into the New York Bay in August 1776, he had the synagogue sealed and left New York. He moved to Philadelphia, where he helped found and lead Congregation Mikveh Israel.

In Philadelphia, Seixas was an advocate for religious liberty. In 1783, he addressed the Pennsylvania Council of Censors opposing the adoption of a Christian religious test for office holders. He stated that the test was “unjust to the members of a persuasion (Jews) that had always been attached to the American cause and given a support to the country, some in the Continental army, some in the militia, and some by cheerfully paying taxes and sustaining the popular cause.”

In 1787, he was among 14 clergyman chosen to participate in George Washington’s inauguration as president of the United States. The same year, he became the first Jew elected as trustee at Columbia College, the now oldest part of Columbia University. He served on the Board of Regents for what became New York University.

Gershom Mendes Seixas (1745 – 1816) was born in Newport, Rhode Island. His father was a merchant and supporter of the American revolution. His older brother Moses helped found the Bank of Rhode Island. A younger brother Abraham served as an officer in the Continental Army. Another brother Benjamin was one of the founders of the New York Stock Exchange.

Gershom moved to New York. He became the religious leader of Shearith Israel, New York City’s oldest Jewish congregation. He served as its leader for about 50 years. He is believed to be the first native-born Jewish religious leader and the first to deliver sermons in English.

Seixas was a Patriot. When the Birtish fleet sailed into the New York Bay in August 1776, he had the synagogue sealed and left New York. He moved to Philadelphia, where he helped found and lead Congregation Mikveh Israel.

In Philadelphia, Seixas was an advocate for religious liberty. In 1783, he addressed the Pennsylvania Council of Censors opposing the adoption of a Christian religious test for office holders. He stated that the test was “unjust to the members of a persuasion (Jews) that had always been attached to the American cause and given a support to the country, some in the Continental army, some in the militia, and some by cheerfully paying taxes and sustaining the popular cause.”

In 1787, he was among 14 clergyman chosen to participate in George Washington’s inauguration as president of the United States. The same year, he became the first Jew elected as trustee at Columbia College, the now oldest part of Columbia University. He served on the Board of Regents for what became New York University.