In a heartwarming ceremony held near the entrance to the Staten Island Ferry’s Whitehall Terminal, a small group of individuals gathered this week, not to embark on a

voyage but to celebrate a historic event that often goes unnoticed by most New Yorkers: the arrival of the first Jewish community in the United States in 1654. The 369th anniversary of this momentous event was marked with a "Landing Day" ceremony, an initiative led by Howard Teich, the founding chair of the Manhattan Jewish Historical Initiative, aimed at raising awareness and fostering a sense of pride among New York's Jewish population.

Back in 1654, a group of 23 Sephardic Jews arrived on the shores of New Amsterdam, the Dutch colony that once occupied Manhattan Island. Over the centuries, the Jewish community played a pivotal role in shaping the city's identity and culture, with notable figures like Emma Lazarus, Ed Koch, and Nora Ephron leaving their mark.

Howard Teich's vision for the "Landing Day" ceremony is to create an annual tradition that unites the city's Jewish population, celebrating their heritage and accomplishments. He believes that it's time to shift the community narrative away from fear and division and instead focus on highlighting the positive contributions Jews have made in America.

The ceremony took place at Peter Minuit Plaza, adjacent to a flagpole bearing a plaque that commemorates the arrival of the 23 individuals in September 1654 and the founding of the first Jewish community in North America. This monument, known as the Jewish Tercentenary Monument, was erected in The Battery in 1954 during the 300th-anniversary celebration of the Jews' arrival. Although numerous events took place across New York and the U.S. during that time, gatherings at the site have been scarce in recent decades.

Teich's goal is to rejuvenate this celebration, making it an annual event at the plaza every autumn. The event was organized in partnership with various organizations, including the Battery Conservancy, the New York Board of Rabbis, and numerous Jewish and historical groups. Several local and state politicians attended the ceremony, demonstrating their support for this cultural celebration.

The ceremony featured speeches, music performances, and a historical account of the Jewish arrival in New Amsterdam by Bradley Shaw, a historian at the Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy. Like many immigrants to New York, the Jews who arrived in 1654 were fleeing persecution, escaping the Portuguese who had conquered the Dutch colony of Brazil.

Teich's ultimate ambition is to build momentum leading up to the 400th anniversary of Landing Day, just three decades away. He emphasizes the need to appreciate the remarkable continuity of the Jewish presence in America, spanning over 5,000 years of history and nearly 400 years in the United States.

The "Landing Day" ceremony serves as a reminder of the rich tapestry of cultures and histories that have contributed to the diverse fabric of New York City. Photo by Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA, Wikimedia commons.