What People Are Saying About Touro Synagogue

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Contributor

Contributor

In Short – With its Colonial American architecture, Touro Synagogue may seem an odd bastion of Jewish life on this side of the Atlantic. But situated on a quiet street and oriented to Jerusalem, Touro is, indeed, the oldest synagogue in the United States, and a national historic site. The tour-guide is often led by the congregation's rabbi who gives an enthusiastic and fast-paced lecture on the history of the synagogue and of the Jews of Newport.

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
You must join a tour--given every half-hour--to see the inside of Touro.
When to Go:
There are no tours on Saturday or Jewish holidays.
The Extras:
One highlight is a deerskin Torah from Amsterdam, nearly 500 years old.