Touro Synagogue Foundation Reviews

Some say the oldest synagogue on the continent, built in colonial style, where there is hardly - lucky to have guests.

Synagogue is closed due to Covid19 but you can take a really interesting walking tour of Jewish Newport. Leaves at 1130am.

If you like history, you can't leave off this tour.

Must do the tour if your here and interested in early america jewish history

It's a very beautiful synagogue a part of the United States history.

Amazing history.

If you join the services you can enter the without a fee

Lew and Jullia are great passionate guides. great place to visit.

My Grandfather worked there for over 20years, Before the Renovations the Original Building

One of the oldest synagogues in the US - This building is as old as Newport. The historic district around it is well preserved. Great experience walking around.

Very cool place to visit. This is the oldest synagogue in all of America. And it actually is an active synagogue so if you re around for services you should come in and check it out. Very good historic place in a very cool story city. It s right in the center of town and it s a very short walk. After that you can just walk down division Street and check out all the old buildings there that are all historical monuments. There s a really cool black church that s for free black sleeves down on division Street it s not even mark any map it is very cool.

This is the oldest synagogue in the US. George Washington's letter on religious tollerence was addressed to the Touro Synagogue congregation.

Well worth a visit to learn about the history of the Synagogue and surrounding communities and religions.

Oldest in the USA , visit and take the tour if you can. I went to a wedding here and it was beautiful

Very well maintained and preserved. Oldest standing synagogue in the US and the only one ftom the colonial period remaining. Was constructed in 1763. This is the congregation that wrote a letter to President Washington when he visited to which Washington responded that they would be free to practice their religion in the USA

The synagogue is an amazing place to visit; not necessarily because of it's beauty, as it is quite simple, but rather because if the historical significance of it being (currently) the oldest synagogue building in the United States, and the subject of George Washington's famous letter in which he promised "to bigotry, no sanction, and to persecution, no assistance." A must-see!!

A spectacular piece of history wonderfully preserved.

Touro Synagogue is the oldest extant synagogue in the United States. It wasn't the first, but it's the oldest one that's still around. It's technically part of the National Park Service as a National Historic Site, but it does not receive any funding from the NPS system. For those interested, you can receive a National Park cancellation stamp from the staff at the Loeb Visitor Center, but you'll have to ask for it.

The synagogue itself is very beautiful, and was built in a colonial style. There is an active congregation that still worships here, so accessing the synagogue in a tourist capacity is limited. In January-April, for example, the synagogue is open from 1100-1330 on Sundays only. The normal cost for a ticket is $12 per adult, but there are discounts for seniors, military, students, National Park passport holders, and National Trust members. Children under 12 and Newport residents have free admission.

You cannot purchase your tickets for the tour ahead of time; they must be purchased in-person at the Loeb Visitor Center (which also functions as a museum), which is right next to the synagogue. The only way to access the synagogue (bar being a Jewish worshipper attending the services) is to go on one of the tours.

There is a lot of American history related to this one small synagogue, and today, it's remains a monument to tolerance, respect, and the freedom of religion.

Incredible experience. The first synagogue in the USA. Incredible tour experience, the woman who gave us the back story was great. Highly recommended.

Really amazing place! We did the informal tour but the guide inside was so knowledgeable and ready to answer our questions. I loved learning more about the history of the synagogue and the Jews in Newport. Very much worth the visit!!

If you want a ceremony filled with tradition, there can be no better place than the oldest synagogue in the United States. Touro Synagogue is small and there is no air conditioning. Time is limited to non-tourist hours. Parking is nearly non-existent. Location is a mile or so from the Newport Mansions. If your budget allows for a reception there you will have parking for your guests and will need to arrange for transportation to Touro Synagogue. Mazel Tov.

Its was beautiful, and a Great story how it was built

The first synagogue in the United States. Unfortunately it was closed. Looks pretty and well groomed

Very cool to visit and tour the facility. It was a Must visit place for me and my family. Historical place.

A fascinating piece of early American history. Excellent tour guide. I was only disappointed that they don't have the original of George Washington's letter.

Oldest synagogue in the United States. Small fee for touring inside the synagogue but there is also a park and information building. The information building begins the explanation of the history which will continue on the tour. The park is between the information center and the actual synagogue. I believe they stated services were still being provided. Amazing part of history.

A must visit for me. Love the letter from George Washington to the new Jewish immigrants assuring them of a safe place to worship & do commerce.

A jewel box of a synagogue. The visitor center sets you up with context to appreciate the building itself. The real treat is the very educational talk by the docent, Linda, as we viewed the building. Excellent!

Must see for all but, particularly all people of Jewish Heritage.

Absolutely fascinating building, tour, guide and history. A must-see when in Newport. Learn about Washington's letter to the congregation and think about that letter (assuring Jews' wellbeing and safety) within today's experience.

If not the oldest, one of the oldest Synagogues in the country!

Must stop in Newport for any history buff. This is the oldest synagogue in the United States. An interaction here in the 1700s between the congregation and President George Washington helped establish freedom of religion in the United States.

There is a small admission fee. It gets you into the synagogue, the grounds, andva very well-done museum.

Note: there is NO on-site parking.

Highly recommend the tour for the many stories that bring to life this important Synagogue. Yes, George Washington attended. The roles Touro played in the Revolutionary War is fascinating. Visitors center offers more information.

Oldest standing & operating synagogue in America where they offer a guided history tour and have a nearby welcome center.

Excellent presentation. Very well done and so glad we came. Thank you for the copy of Pres Washington's letter.

Moving history of early religious tolerance in that much of our world needs to learn from today. The Loeb Visitor Center is beautiful and we'll conceived, the staff knowledgeable, courteous and friendly.

A must experience.

I was given a personal tour of this beautiful space because I happened to be the only person there for that time slot. What an important part of America's religious history and a great group of people happy to share their story.

A beautiful historic building where George Washington really was.

Friendly Rabbi, short traditional services, history, beautiful building.

Must visit for history lovers and or judaica. Our guide Tess was phenomenal.

Or school visited today.
Let's rank touro synagogue
#1 tour guide. Rabbi mandel is awesome, explains everything in a very detailed, yet short way.
Place is super clean. Students were very happy!

Even though the inside of the synagogue is closed to the public right now, I am glad we stopped by for a very informative, guided tour at the outside grounds.
The guide was very knowledgeable and patiently answered to a lot of questions my two teens had about history of Jewish diaspora in the region.
The tour is free, but feel free to donate to the preservation center of the synagogue.
We also stopped by to purchase a memento to add to our refrigerator magnet collection.

Gorgeous, historic synagogue with wonderful congregants.

It was a
Historic and plesant visit with our best friend?

A very interesting place to visit with very knowledgeable guides. Am amazing part of Rhode Island's history and culture.

Tour is definitely worth it! Truth about American freedom!

Beautiful historic building and very spiritual synagogue with reach history. Great tourist attraction for Jewish and non-Jewish visitors alike!

Amazing visit. We did the informal tour but the guide inside (Deborah, I believe) was informative and knowledgeable. She gave a great overview of the history and allowed us to ask as many questions as we wanted. Such a fascinating place with great history. Definitely worth the visit -- make sure to also check out the exhibits in the building where you buy tickets and grab a copy of the Washington Letter (so cool!).

Amazing history and gorgeous synagogue! Truly appreciate the time and care each person took to share with us.

This is a great historic synagogue and a memorial to religious liberty

We did not take the tour just looked at the grounds and the grounds were very pretty.

Historical landmark honoring the American ideal of religious freedom.

A few years ago we visited the Touro Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in the United States, located in Newport, Rhode Island. On August 17, 1790, the day President George Washington visited Newport, the warden or person in charge of the synagogue wrote him a letter wishing him well and expressing support for his administration. Washington wrote back on August 21, thanking him and stating words that have become the cornerstone of religious pluralism freedom in the United States: ...the Government of the United States gives to bigotry...no sanction ...to persecution no assistance ...may the children of the stock of Abraham. Who dwell in this land, continue to enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants. while everyone shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid... Every August, President Washington s letter is read in a ceremony with guests that have included Supreme Court Justices, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elana Kagan. When we were there for this ceremony, the Senator or Rhode Island attended along with other important elected officials. The members of the synagogue get dressed in the clothing worn in Colonial Times. If you plan on attending, you need a ticket to enter. If you are interested, please contact the Touro Synagogue.

This was a profound experience that brought us back to the 16th ,17th & 18th centuries for us to understand what it meant for the Jews in those days who escaped religious prejudice & antisemitism from Europe. To discover the new world and flourish under the fear of the unknown, maybe.....