Rabbi Theodore Lewis, emeritus of Congregation Jeshuat Israel (Touro Synagogue in Newport, RI), passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010, in Brooklyn, NY, at 95.
Born in August of 1915 in Dublin, Ireland, to the late Israel Joseph and Minnie Rose Lewis, Rabbi Lewis attended Dublin primary and secondary schools, graduated from Dublin University, and studied for the rabbinate in London, England, and Mir, Poland.
He barely escaped from Poland before the Nazis invaded it during WW II. He served as the rabbi of the Adelaide Road Synagogue, the largest congregation in Dublin, before immigrating to America.
He visited Touro Synagogue in 1949 and never left, serving the congregation for the next 36 years.
Rabbi Lewis was well known for his thick Irish brogue and sparkling eyes, quick wit, regal bearing and erudite sermons, which have been compiled and published in two volumes.
He officiated at the lifecycle events for two generations of Newporters as well as others who came from far and wide to the Touro Synagogue.
He played host to such distinguished visitors as Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower and the poet Robert Frost.
In 1959, Rabbi Lewis appeared on the TV show, To Tell the Truth, as the only Irish-born rabbi in the US.
He was arguably one of Newports most beloved citizens, a familiar fixture in Newport, as he and his dear colleague and friend of over 50 years, Rabbi Ely Katz, strolled around the streets of downtown Newport, a very tall Rabbi Lewis with a very short Rabbi Katz.
He received many awards and citations, including an honorary doctorate in Sacred Theology from Salve Regina University. Rabbi Lewis retired in October 1985. He lived for a brief time in Israel, where he was able to visit his childhood friend, Chaim Herzog, President of Israel.
Rabbi Lewis led Touro Synagogue through a period in which it was restored, received worldwide attention and was named a national historic site.
For 25 years he led a campaign to persuade the US Government to issue a postage stamp honoring the synagogue, which was built in 1763 and remains the oldest synagogue building in the country. In 1982, a stamp was indeed issued.
Rabbi Lewis was the brother of the late Barney Lewis and the late Bess and Rose.
He leaves a nephew, Arnold, in Ireland, and a great-nephew in England.
Rabbi Lewis was taken to Israel for burial.
A memorial service will be held for Rabbi Lewis on Sunday, Oct. 31, at 2:30 p.m. in the synagogue.
Contributions in his memory may be sent to Touro Synagogue, 85 Touro Street, Newport, RI 02840.
