Gershom Mendes Seixas - Jewish Patriot
Gershom Mendes Seixas (1745-1816) was born in Newport, Rhode Island. His father was a merchant and supporter of the American Revolution. His brother Moses helped found the Bank of Rhode Island. His brother Abraham served as an officer in the Continental Army, and his brother Benjamin cofounded the New York Stock Exchange.
Trailblazing Religious Leader
Gershom Seixas moved to New York, where he became the religious leader of Shearith Israel. Today, it is New York City’s oldest Jewish congregation. Seixas led the congregation for roughly 50 years. Historians believe he was America’s first native-born Jewish religious leader and the first to deliver sermons in English.
When the British fleet sailed into the New York Bay in August 1776, Seixas sealed the synagogue and moved to Philadelphia, where he helped found and lead Congregation Mikveh Israel.
Crusader for Religious Liberty
In Philadelphia, Seixas advocated for religious liberty. In 1783, he addressed the Pennsylvania Council of Censors, opposing the adoption of a Christian religious test for officeholders. He declared the test “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, Seixas was among 14 clergymen chosen to participate in George Washington’s inauguration as the first president of the United States. The same year, Seixas became the first Jewish trustee elected to Columbia College, now the oldest undergraduate college of Columbia University. He also served on the Board of Regents for what would become New York University.
Gershom Mendes Seixas - Jewish Patriot
Gershom Mendes Seixas (1745-1816) was born in Newport, Rhode Island. His father was a merchant and supporter of the American Revolution. His brother Moses helped found the Bank of Rhode Island. His brother Abraham served as an officer in the Continental Army, and his brother Benjamin cofounded the New York Stock Exchange.
Trailblazing Religious Leader
Gershom Seixas moved to New York, where he became the religious leader of Shearith Israel. Today, it is New York City’s oldest Jewish congregation. Seixas led the congregation for roughly 50 years. Historians believe he was America’s first native-born Jewish religious leader and the first to deliver sermons in English.
When the British fleet sailed into the New York Bay in August 1776, Seixas sealed the synagogue and moved to Philadelphia, where he helped found and lead Congregation Mikveh Israel.
Crusader for Religious Liberty
In Philadelphia, Seixas advocated for religious liberty. In 1783, he addressed the Pennsylvania Council of Censors, opposing the adoption of a Christian religious test for officeholders. He declared the test “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, Seixas was among 14 clergymen chosen to participate in George Washington’s inauguration as the first president of the United States. The same year, Seixas became the first Jewish trustee elected to Columbia College, now the oldest undergraduate college of Columbia University. He also served on the Board of Regents for what would become New York University.