The 100th anniversary of the death of Judah Touro, famous Jewish philanthropist who shortly before his death on January 18, 1854 bequeathed $500,000–an enormous sum in those days–to Jewish, Catholic and Protestant institutions, in addition to the many grants he made during his life time, will be observed this week in synagogues and by Jewish groups throughout the country.
Among his benefactions was a contribution of $10,000 to the building of the Bunker Hill Monument which made its construction possible. Known as “the merchant prince of New Orleans,” he was buried in the old Jewish cemetery at Newport, Rhode Island, near his cousin, Catherine Hayes, the girl of his choice whom he was unable to marry. He remained a bachelor throughout his life.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
