Arrival Day Observance is September 7th
Yesterday, I was reading the blog Absit Invidia (AI)-- a blog site that I just have to read once, twice, or three times a day. Over the holiday weekend, AI posted information regarding the upcoming observance of Arrival Day; it also included an invitation to participate in the observance from the blog The Head Heab. So I surfed over to The Head Heab, read more information, and signed up.
Arrival Day is a commemoration of the first Jewish Immigrant to America, Asher Levy, in 1654. His contribution to society was great--he and Jacob Barsimson took legal action against the governor of New Amsterdam who would not let them stand guard with the other citizens and forced an additional tax on all Jews. They won. This act moved other Jews to petition the government for other basic rights, such as "the right to buy homes, to trade, and to enjoy full rights."
In 1657, Asher Levy was able to purchase a small plot of land on William Street (currently the Wall Street financial district). He also became one of only six licensed butchers.
Despite the freedoms and liberties afforded these early immigrants, it would not be until 1730 that they would have their own synagogue. Until 1730, Asher Levy's home on Mill Street served as the first synagogue, home to the Congregation Shearit Israel, which had been meeting in private homes.
It will be an honor to participate in this event.
***Information obtained from Jonathan Likud's website about American Jewish History. If you would like to participate in this observance this Sunday, September 7th, please check out the blog The Head Heab.***
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