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Spanish-Portuguese Jews in the United States

Ethnic group From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Spanish-Portuguese Jews, Western Sephardim, or simply S&P are the oldest Jewish community in the United States.[2][3]

Congregation Shearith IsraelUnknown
Congregation Mikveh Israel200 families[1]
Quick facts Regions with significant populations, Congregation Shearith Israel ...
Spanish-Portuguese Jews in the United States
Regions with significant populations
Congregation Shearith IsraelUnknown
Congregation Mikveh Israel200 families[1]
Languages
Modern: American English, Hebrew, Aramaic Historical: Spanish and Portuguese
Religion
Judaism (Sephardic rite)
Related ethnic groups
Other Spanish and Portuguese Jews, Balkan Sephardim, Paradesi Jews, American Jews, British Jews, Danish Jews, Irish Jews, Anglo-Israelis, and Western Ashkenazim
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History

Further information: History of the Jews in Colonial America, Jews in New Amsterdam, and Spanish and Portuguese Jews
Gomez Mill House in Newburgh, NY, USA. One of the earliest known residences of a Jew in the future United States of America.

Initial settlements

The first Jews to arrive in North America were 23 Sephardim fleeing the Portuguese conquest of Dutch Brazil in 1654.[4][5]

Issues with the Reform

Not all Spanish-Portuguese were as dedicated to tradition as their fellow congregants. Some, such as Isaac Harby, openly called for reform. Changes included English services, as he claimed that many could not even understand the Hebrew language. Much of his support for reform was due to his belief that his community was ill educated on their own religion and Spanish-Portuguese customs, therefore being defenseless against Protestant missionaries.[6]

Military contributions

Revolutionary War

Several Sephardim participated in the American Revolutionary War such as Francis Salvador, Haym Salomon, and Moses Seixas.[7]

War of 1812 and Barbary War

Culture, traditions, and customs

Language

Despite the name, most Spanish-Portuguese in the United States do not speak Spanish nor Portuguese, and any vestiges of either language remain only in the Hebrew pronunciation and traditional liturgy.[8] An example, Benjamin Nathan Cardozo, a notable Spanish-Portuguese lawyer and traditionalist, "confessed in 1937 that" after centuries in British North America, "his family preserved neither the Spanish language nor Iberian cultural traditions".[9] His ancestors had lived in England, the British colonies, and the United States since the 17th century.

Some Spanish table songs, most famously Bendigamos, are still sung by many Spanish-Portuguese.[10][11] However, Bendigamos is believed to have originated among the S&P community of Bordeaux, France and originally was sung in French.[12]

Clerical terminology

Hazzanim in the S&P rite are given the title of "Reverend". For much of the community's history in America, communities were led by hazzanim who were not ordained rabbis.[13]

Dress

R' Henry Pereira Mendes wearing the traditional robes of Spanish-Portuguese clergy.[14][15]

Traditionally, Spanish-Portuguese clerical attire consists of canonical robes, a top hat, and/or tricorn depending on the specific community and occasion.[16]

Silk prayer shawl

The silk tallitot used by the Livorno S&P community are similar to the American S&P.[17][18]

The traditional material used in the production of tallitot (prayer shawls) in Spanish-Portuguese communities in the United States, as well as others, is silk. It is theorized that the material contributed to the unique S&P way of donning the shawl.[19][20][21]

Traditionalism

Spanish-Portuguese communities place a heavy emphasis on the preservation of Western Sephardic liturgical customs and religious traditions, despite the fact that Spanish-Portuguese communities in the US have always included Ashkenazim.[22]

Thanksgiving service

Congregation Shearith Israel has been conducting Thanksgiving services since President George Washington first instituted the holiday in 1789.[23][24][25]

Architecture

Traditionally, Spanish-Portuguese synagogue architecture was based off of older structures, such as the Portuguese Synagogue of Amsterdam and the Great Synagogue of Livorno.[26]

Spanish-Portuguese Jewish youth place flags on the graves of fallen Jewish veterans at the First Shearith Israel Graveyard during Memorial Day 2026.

Memorial Day

Every year, Shearith Israel hosts a Memorial Day ceremony in honor of veteran members of the community, notably those who perished during the American Revolutionary War.[27] The event is attended by the Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York color guard.[28]

Cuisine

Spanish-Portuguese cuisine in colonial America largely mirrored that of their fellow colonists, albeit with alterations to follow the laws of kashrut. Commonly eaten foods included corn, beans, fish, preserved fruit, preserved vegetables, and pickled vegetables.[29]

Halakhic approach

Though there is no uniquely Spanish-Portuguese approach to halakha, historically the predominant stream of Judaism in the community has been rationalist and Maimonidean. Kabbalah is also notably absent from the S&P rite.[30]

By region

Northeast

Southeast

West Coast

The San Francisco Grandees

Spanish-Portuguese Jews began establishing themselves in California along with their fellow settlers in the 19th century. One such settler was Charleston-born, Abraham Cohen Labatt, who established several Reform communities throughout the southern states and San Francisco.[31]

Modern communities

Historical communities

Institutions and organizations

Theological

Historical

Philanthropic and charitable

Political

Educational

Namesakes

Publications

Websites

Liturgy, customs, and traditions

General

  • S&P Central- Information hub for Spanish & Portuguese / Western Sephardic Jewish Communities

Media

Notable individuals and families

Families

Individuals

Notable non-Jewish descendants

See also

References

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