New York City has long been home to the largest Jewish community in the United States, but did you know it was the first? This tour traces the remarkable journey of the very first American Jewish community: a small group of Jewish refugees from Brazil who arrived in New Amsterdam in the 1654, established the first synagogue, and fought for the rights and freedoms of future generations.

We’ll begin at the mouth of New York Harbor, where we’ll explore the broader story of Jewish life in the Caribbean before following the refugees’ path to New Amsterdam. At the monument honoring these first arrivals, we’ll uncover the struggles they endured to remain in the Dutch colony. From there, we’ll walk the old streets of New Amsterdam, tracing the lives of these early pioneers and their impact on the city’s and country’s development. Along the way, we’ll stop at the site of New York’s first synagogue, Shearith Israel, and learn about its enduring legacy. Our journey concludes at the oldest Jewish cemetery in the United States—now tucked within the bustling heart of Chinatown.

Your guide for this tour is Svetlana Kershtein, a professional tour guide who has worked on three continents and holds a Masters Degree in History, specializing in the history of the ancient world. Born in the Soviet Union, she emigrated to Israel where she worked as a licensed tour guide for 11 years. Svetlana’s passion for Jewish history, art, music, and cuisine is reflected in her popular tours for the Conservancy. She is fluent in three languages (English, Hebrew, and Russian).