Touro Synagogue joyously celebrates Jerusalem Day

NEWPORT – On May 21, Touro Synagogue, in partnership with the Consulate General of Israel to New England, hosted a Jerusalem Day celebration to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of the reunification of the holy city following Israel’s victory in the 1967 Six-Day War.

About 100 people filled the synagogue  for “Celebrate Jerusalem.” Many Israelis were in attendance, including a former Israel Defense Forces soldier who fought in the Six-Day War.

Speakers included Matan Zamir, deputy Israeli consul general to New England; Yehuda Yaakov, Israeli consul general to New England; Rep. David Cicilline; and Touro’s Rabbi Marc Mandel.

“As we celebrate Yom Yerushalayim and the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem, we are grateful to God for this modern-day miracle,” Mandel said. “Three times a day, we pray for the welfare of Jerusalem, and we are so fortunate to live in an era where we witness the growth of this beautiful and holy city.”

All four men spoke of the importance of Jerusalem Day, agreeing that the reunification of the city in 1967 was crucial, and not only for Jews: after the war, Israel passed laws to protect holy sites and ensure freedom of worship for all.

 Yaakov spoke of the important role Judah Touro played in the creation of the Jewish community in Newport.  

“It was Judah Touro’s money that facilitated that neighborhood being created, and began the expansion of the Jewish part of the city,” he said.

The musical group that performed during the celebration was from that very neighborhood. Trio Yemin Moshe is named after the Jerusalem neighborhood of Yemin Moshe, which was developed on land purchased by Moses Montefiore with funds from the estate of Judah Touro in 1855. Their jovial and upbeat Ladino-style music filled Touro Synagogue with the sounds of voices, acoustic guitar and classical violin.

Congressman Cicilline offered the final remarks. He spoke of Israel’s past, present and future, saying, “Today, Israel is a strong, culturally vibrant and economically prosperous Jewish democratic state. It is strong because of men like Judah Touro and all those who served 50 years ago in the Six-Day War. And, now, following the passing of Israel’s last founding father, Shimon Peres, the torch falls to our generation to preserve the values that make Israel strong and prosperous.”

SAM SERBY is a freelance writer who lives in East Greenwich. He previously worked at the Peres Center for Peace, in Tel Aviv.