Historical Society offers no-cost tour of Jewish St. Augustine

The St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society will mark the 452^nd anniversary of the founding of oldest European city in the U.S. with a 2 hour walking tour of Jewish St. Augustine, starting at 10 a.m. Friday, September 8^th, in the shade of the trees at the southeastern corner of the parking lot at Mission Nombre de Dios, 27 Ocean Avenue, at San Marco Avenue (State Route A1A).  The tour will end at First Congregation Sons of Israel, 161 Cordova Street and involves a walk of 1.5 miles.  Wear sunscreen and sturdy, comfortable walking shoes. Bring water.  There is no charge for this tour, all are welcome, no advance arrangements need be made.  For further information contact 804-914-4460.

The tour will introduce participants to the evidence of the presence of descendants of Jews in St. Augustine beginning with the founding on September 8, 1565.  Tour will also highlight the accomplishments of St. Augustine’s Moses Elias Levy in the early 19th century, his efforts as an Abolitionist and his participation in the establishment of free public education in Florida.  A visit to the site of the largest mass arrest of Rabbis in US history and a brief review of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s Jewish connections will be included.  Come and visit what is perhaps the oldest extant Jewish home in the US and the residence of David Yulee, the first Jew to serve in the United States Senate.  The tour will conclude in the oldest synagogue in continuous use in Florida, First Congregation Sons of Israel, built in the shadow of the Ponce de Leon Hotel where evidence abounds that no Jews were permitted as overnight guests!