Known as the Synagogue of the American Revolution, Congregation Mikveh Israel has stood at the heart of American Jewish history since its founding in 1740. As the oldest formal Jewish congregation in Philadelphia and the second oldest congregation in the United States, it has long served as a symbol of the enduring relationship between Jewish faith and American freedom.

The synagogue’s rich history includes one of the most treasured documents in American Jewish history: a letter from President George Washington affirming the promise of religious liberty in the newly formed United States. Displayed among the congregation’s historic artifacts, the letter serves as a powerful reminder that the freedoms enjoyed by American Jews today were among the ideals upon which the nation was built.

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Mikveh Israel has created a special exhibit highlighting artifacts that tell the story of Jewish life in America. Among the items selected for display is one of two Torah scrolls belonging to the family of Mark Fried, whose family history has become intertwined with both the congregation and the American Jewish experience.

For Mark Fried, the exhibit represents far more than a historical display. The Torah on view embodies generations of family history, immigration, faith, and continuity.

Rabbi Yosef Zarnighian who currently serves as the spiritual leader of Mikveh Israel, is also a chaplain in the United States Air Force. He joined the congregation in 2021, following the footsteps of Rabbi Albert Gabbai who served as Hazzan and Rabbi of the historic congregation for 35 years, after his immigration from Egypt. “I remember Mr. Samuel Isaac DeWolf as a big man with a booming voice and as big a smile. He would greet people with a saying I loved and repeated many times: ‘I am glad you met me.’ He passed away in the early 1990’s. The DeWolf family has been with Mikveh Israel for many generations. It is very inspiring to see that his grandson, Mark Fried continues to maintain the bond between........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)