State of New York Honors Memory of First 2 Jewish Settlers

A flagpole commemorating the arrival in New York over 300 years ago of the first group of 23 Jews was presented to the city this week-end by the New York Joint Legislative Committee to commemorate the tercentenary of American Jewry. The presentation of the 72-foot flagpole set in a seven-foot high granite base was made by Gov. Averill Harriman.

A bronze plaque on the base reads: “Erected by the State of New York to honor the memory of the 23 men, women and children who landed in September 1654, and founded the first Jewish community in North America.” The legislative committee, appointed by Gov. Thomas E. Dewey last year, is headed by Judge Joseph M. Proskauer. Present at the ceremony were civic leaders and representatives of the three major faiths.

Addressing the dedication ceremony. Gov. Harriman declared. “The 23 whose arrival we commemorate today were Jews fleeing persecution caught up in the most persistent, most cruel injustice of western civilization. There was no H’AS here to welcome them, and Peter Stuyvesant ordered them to jail. But his superiors in Holland overruled him and gave asylum to the refugees. They set to work put down roots, and prospered.

“When a century later our republic was taking form the Jewish community was one of the oldest in America, contributing as always with the Jews, its share of the blood and treasure that won our independence. Today their successors comprise nearly a third of New York City’s eight million people. Our city has been immeasurably enriched by their contribution to every aspect of our life.

“As I stand here today. I cannot help but thing how much poorer, in every respect, America would be if the small group of 23 Jews in the 17th Century and those that followed, had been refused admittance to our land. How much poorer we will be in generations to come if we should now dim our beacon light of hope for the oppressed of the world.”