Anthea McGibbon, Religion Feature Co-ordinator
IN COMPARISON to that of Africa, our Jewish ancestry is hardly highlighted. What's even more interesting is that many of our leading professionals, businessmen and leaders can possibly trace Jewish ancestry in their genealogy.
Precious little is known of the origin of Jews in Jamaica, such as when they first landed here. Research shows that the Jewish presence in Jamaica has existed well over 500 years.
The first Jews were Sephardic, from Spain and Portugal after the expulsion at the founding of the Inquisition (1492). According to Ainsley Henriques, who figures he is about eighth or ninth generation in the Henriques lineage, the Spanish Inquisition was a test of faith.
"Spain expelled all Jews and Muslims to create a purity of that country.... if you were found not to be Christian (Catholic), or a good one, your property was seized and your family killed." Later in the 19th century mostly Ashkenazy Jews came to Jamaica. Spanish and Portuguese names date back to the Golden Age of Spain (8th-14th century).
Contrary to popular belief, Jews did not happen on the island with the advent of Christopher Colon or Columbus as he is more commonly known. Perhaps on his fourth visit (somewhere around 1497), he took with him children of "conversos", Jewish converts to Catholicism and possibly Marranos (secret Jews). After the Colon family (family of Christopher Columbus), headed by Diego Colon, settled here, the Portuguese Jews were brought in to grow sugar cane in the south of Jamaica, just outside Spanish Town, St. Catherine.
Generally Jamaican Jews today can trace their ancestry back through Amersterdam to London. In the 20th century, Jews from Syria and Germany joined the community.
Not much is written about these Portuguese Jews during the 150 years under the Spanish rule.
Early records of the British period reveal that Jews were allowed to settle and engage in limited trade from as early as 1662. Jews then whilst being permitted to own land and to carry out many activities could not vote or serve in the militia.
The 17th and 18th century saw Jews playing a significant role in foreign trade and shipping, whilst participating in sugar and vanilla industries. By the 19th century they gained much prominence in politics, social and cultural affairs. In 1849, eight of the 47 members of the House of Assembly were Jews, and the House adjourned for Yom Kippur.
In poetry and literature, business and commerce, manufacturing and farming, in art and music, Jamaican Jews have served Jamaica well, with many becoming ambassadors and ministers. They have been in the legislature, in the justice system, in elected political office.
Leading up to Emancipation Jews were allowed to own slaves, but within the Legislative constraints, mainly the purchasing of the recovering sick and/ or the infirmed.
Today, though not often in the public eye, and with their numbers dwindling, perhaps due to economic decline, emigration, and intermarriage, they are still prominent businesspersons.
The achievements of the Jews in the areas of trade, civil activities and their contribution to the modern development of Jamaica are immeasurable.
In 1881 the Jewish population numbered 2,535 out of 13,800 white citizens. Today the dwindled families include Levys, Asheneims, deSouzas, Lindos, Matalons, Solomons, Henriques.
In earlier times Jews participated in Sunday maret as their Sabbath was not Sunday.
Historically Jews have experienced much persecution worldwide. Rev Bevis Byfield, lecturer at the United Theological College, surmises that one of the main reasons has been because the Jews have always thought of themselves as God's chosen people for the world's redemption. Possibly another reason he offers is "that they don't see Jesus as the Messiah."
Today Jamaican Jews worship at sundown on Fridays and 10:00a.m. on Saturdays at the only standing synagogue on Duke Street.
Known as "the people of the book", education is one of the fundamentals of Jewish life. The Hillel Academy was founded by the Jewish community which also maintains a Jewish home for the aged and less fortunate members of the community. Services and religion school continue at the only existing synagogue on Duke Street, while the congregation is without a Rabbi.
The congregation's lay preacher is Stephen Henriques. For several years up to 2000 the congregation was headed by spiritual leader Rev Ernest deSouza.
Judaism, Christianity , Islam
A VISIT to any Friday service at sunset or to the Saturday morning's Shabat at the synagogue is like reliving experiences from the Bible, in particular the Old Testament.
The Ark is opened for special prayers, and, on Saturdays the Torahis removed and read to the congregation. Songs similar to some you learn in a Christian church peal in your ear, but in Hebrew, and at Passover unleavened bread is shared. You are also likely to be told "Shalom" translated "Peace Be Unto You." It is an amazing and humbling trip through history on the sand covered floors of the Duke Street synagogue.
Of the over 1,000 religions existing worldwide, Judaism, Christianity and Islam are the only three monistic ones. Biblically speaking it appears that Christianity arose from Judaism. Jesus Christ a central pillar of Christianity was Jewish. In fact many persons mentioned in the Bible were Jewish and originated in land of Israel.
Today Judaism is being taught in theology schools , but how relevant is Judaism in today's world? Theologian and Bible Scholar Rev Ernle Gordon says "it's relevant because both Christianity and Islam draw many of their instructions from Judaism. The present syllabus is the best in the world as it incorporates all religions ...whereas the children have to do research especially in the Caribbean where you have Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Rastafarianism and African religions," said Rev Gordon.
About the significance in churches, he noted that any Old Testament scholar have to deal with Judaism. "You can't just teach Passover (Communion, Eucharist, Lord's Supper) unless you have a knowledge of the Passover," he said. He further observed that many prayers used in Judaism resemble some of the ones existing in churches.
Muslims in Jamaica do not agree that Islam evolved from Judaism. "It is a religion of Moses - It has its own axis and principle," commented Imam Muhammad Islam, who said that all religions have a common ground - a divine value.
A course in Judaism, while not recommended for mosques or churches he felt was to be taught in schools. "So that everybody understands and appreciates each other's religion... bringing harmony, peace, tolerance, at least all major religions, Christianity, Islam, Judaism should be taught."
In Judaism, there are many symbols - the main ones being the Menorah and the star.
The Menorah, one of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith, is a seven-branched candelabrum (candlelight) used in the Temple. The seven-branched Menorah used on Chanukah which commemorates of the miracle that a day's worth of oil for this Menorah lasted eight days.
The Magen David (shield of David, or more commonly known as the Star of David) is the symbol most commonly associated with Judaism today. The Magen David, which in actuality is new, gained popularity as a symbol of Judaism when it was adopted as the emblem of the Zionist movement in 1897. The symbol is rare in early Jewish literature and the meanings offered as to its origin and use remains debatable. One meaning offered is as representation of the shape of King David's shield (or perhaps the emblem on it), but this claim is not supported by any early rabbinical literature.
TORAH - 5 books of the law from Genesis to Deutoronomy
