Touro Synagogue Foundation Statement
We, members of the Board of the Touro Synagogue Foundation, express our profound shock, grief, and anger over the heinous and despicable terrorist attack on Israel and its citizens and residents. Antisemitic hatred has once again caught the world’s attention, and we condemn these atrocities in the strongest words possible. Religious extremism and hatred cannot be a part of modern society. Every person has the right to practice their chosen religion freely and without fear. No one should be silent; everyone must call out antisemitism, hatred, and racism wherever it exists. The Touro Synagogue Foundation will do exactly that by strengthening its mission to promote and teach about religious diversity and freedom.
Touro Synagogue
Genesis of Religious Freedom in America
In 1663, King Charles II of England granted a Royal Charter for the colony of Rhode Island. This charter which the King called “a lively experiment,” took twelve years to obtain but ultimately gave the colonists the official right to pray freely and self-govern. Rhode Island was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams on the principle of “soul liberty” – the right not only to choose your own religious beliefs but to openly practice those beliefs (or to not practice religion at all) without interference. Elsewhere in colonial America, minority religious practices were discouraged and frequently banned, and attendance at “official” church services was often mandatory.
In his 1790 letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, President George Washington stated that religious freedom was an inherent natural right. Rhode Island’s history of “liberty of conscience” or freedom of religion and Touro Synagogue standing as a symbol of religious freedom for all Americans reflect two fundamental tenets of American democracy: the separation of church and state and the right of individuals to practice (or not practice) their religion.
Touro Synagogue Foundation
Originally known as “The Society of Friends of Touro Synagogue,” the Touro Synagogue Foundation (TSF) was established in 1948 following the designation of Touro Synagogue as a National Historic Site. The Touro Synagogue Foundation is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit, nonsectarian organization dedicated to promoting and teaching religious diversity, colonial Jewish history, and the history of Touro Synagogue. The Foundation provides public access to the historic site, award-winning history tours, lectures, and educational programs for adults and youth. The Touro Synagogue Foundation operates public programs in partnership with the George Washington Institute for Religious Freedom, the National Park Service, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The George Washington Letter Reading
Every summer on the third Sunday in August, Touro Synagogue Foundation partners with Congregation Jeshuat Israel to host The George Washington Letter Reading, an event honoring our nation’s heritage of religious freedom. George Washington’s 1790 letter to “To the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island,” was written during his first trip to Rhode Island as President and affirmed the new national government’s absolute commitment to the free exercise of religious choice.
Slom Scholarship Guidelines & Application
The Aaron and Rita Slom Scholarship Fund for Freedom and Diversity was created in March of 2003 in honor of Aaron and Rita Slom’s 50th wedding anniversary by their friends and family. The fund provides a minimum of two college scholarships for high school seniors. Those interested in applying must submit an interpretive written work focusing on the George Washington Letter in context with the present time. Learn more.
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of the Touro Synagogue Foundation will take place on August 20, 2023.
Click to view the 2023 Nominating Committee Report
