Commemrating the Rabbis Arrested in 1964

On Thursday, June 18, 2026, at noon, the St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society hosts the annual commemoration of the largest mass arrest of rabbis in the history of the United States. The event takes place outside the jail where they were held, the old jail annex at 4025 Lewis Speedway, near the St. Johns County Courthouse.

Presented by the St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society, this program will mark the anniversary of the 1964 arrests of 16 rabbis who came to St. Augustine to protest and march for civil rights for Black Americans. The event became known worldwide when the rabbis wrote and released a letter titled, "Why We Went to St. Augustine."

The commemoration, the reading of two documents, occurs on the steps of the old jail building. The event includes special guests and a public reading of "Why We Went," the letter the 16 arrested rabbis wrote while jailed. After the event, you can visit the Mobile Museum of Tolerance. This bus has seating for 30 people and presents educational modules on several topics relating to the tolerance theme. Modules include the Holocaust and the Civil Rights Movement, and Combating Hate.

Admission: FREE

When: Thursday, June 18, 2026, at noon.

Where: St. Johns County Jail Annex, 4025 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, Florida 32084