The sum of $55,000 toward a goal of $300,000 has been contributed for the restoration of Touro Synagogue here, the oldest Jewish house of worship in this country and a national shrine, it was revealed here yesterday Announcement of the sum raised toward the final goal–which is to be achieved by 1958–was made at a meeting of the Society of Friends of Touro Synagogue by William Zeckendorf, chairman of the Restoration Committee.
Mr. Zeckendorf outlined a three-stage plan for the renovation of the synagogue and the creation of an adjoining park site. The meeting also included ceremonies observing the 166th anniversary of the famed George Washington letter addressed to the congregation of the Touro Synagogue proclaiming religious tolerance.
New directors of the Society named at the meeting include Governors Abraham Ribicoff of Connecticut and Dennis J. Roberts of Rhode Island, Carl M. Loeb, William Levitt, Senator John O. Pastore of Rhode Island, Abraham Ziskind, George Alpert, S.H. Thal, Rabbi Norman Gerstenfeld and Philip Klutznick. Dr. Bernard Friedman, of this city, was re-elected president, as were all other officers and directors of the group.
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.