page_title: Touro Synagogue
section_title: Restoration
hierarchical_section_title: Touro Synagogue / Restoration
caption_attribution_description: English: Newmans LTD Works to restore metal artifacts from Touro Synagogue
context_page_description: The Touro Synagogue or Congregation Jeshuat Israel is a synagogue built in 1763 in Newport, Rhode Island. It is the oldest synagogue building still standing in the United States, the only surviving synagogue building in the U.S. dating to the colonial era, and the oldest surviving Jewish synagogue building in North America. In 1946, it was declared a National Historic Site.
  The first congregation was made up of Sephardic Jews, who are believed to have come via the West Indies, where they participated in the triangular trade along with Dutch and English settlements. They practiced a Spanish and Portuguese Jewish liturgy and ritual. Later some early Ashkenazim joined the congregation. In the late eighteenth century, when warfare threatened, the congregation transferred the deed and Torah scrolls to Congregation Shearith Israel in New York for safekeeping. In the late 19th century, the congregation was primarily Ashkenazim, but they continued to practice the Sephardic liturgy at the synagogue.
context_section_description: During 2005 and 2006, Touro Synagogue invested in a restoration project for its valued antique metal artifacts. In total, one hundred-fifty metal objects, from eighteenth century hardware to European chandeliers and silver rimonim (ceremonial bells used on the Torah) needed to be rebuilt, have their surfaces stabilized, and have missing parts replaced. The project was carried out by the Newport-based restoration company Newmans' Ltd.
caption: Restoration of metal artifacts at Touro Synagogue
exif: {}