Three hundred and seventy years ago, a group of 23 Sephardic Jews arrived in what was then New Amsterdam, forming the city’s first organized Jewish community. Fast forward to today, and New York City now boasts the largest Jewish population of any city worldwide.
This week, the City Council voted to officially recognize this historic moment by establishing “Landing Day” as an annual commemoration. The resolution celebrates the arrival of the first Jewish community in 1654 and acknowledges the ongoing significance of New York’s Jewish population.
Landing Day has been marked several times in the past, most recently at a ceremony commemorating the 369th anniversary of the community at the Jewish Tercentenary Monument in Battery Park. The monument, erected in 1954, honors the memory of the 23 Jewish men, women, and children who laid the foundations for Jewish life in America.
Despite its historical importance, Landing Day has remained relatively obscure among New Yorkers and the Jewish community. This is why Gale Brewer, the Upper West Side City Council member, sponsored the bill to give it formal recognition. “When the City Council passes something like this, it’s official,” Brewer said. “It becomes part of the city’s history. It’s not a holiday, but it is recognized, and that gives it legitimacy."
* The Jewish Telegraphic Agency contributed to this article.
