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(CONTINUED.) In 1700 Jewa are referred to as having made at least three different settlements on the island, though Kingston, from the time of its formation, has been the most important. Spanish Town, Montego Bay, Falmouth and Lacovia have alao had Jewish settlements, and Jews are, in fact, to be encountered in all parts of the Island, though Kingston alone has now any Jewish synagogues Spanish Town had two Jewish congregations between 1840 and 1845. A synagogue is men tioned by local historians as having been estab lished about 1684 ; it is referred to in the journal of the House of Assembly in 1687. The Spanish and Portuguese synagogue of Kingston situated in Princestreet until the time of its destruction by fire in 1882, was consecrated in 1750. The English and Greiman synagogue was consecrated in 1789, a new synagogue taking its place in 1837. Hannah Adams, in History of the Jews,” written in 1812, refers to the two parties among the Jamaian Jews, one of which regarded the other as heretics because they had relaxed in the abeyance of the ritual and had intermarried with Christin. A third (German) synagogues was used for purposes of worship beginning at some time prior to 1840, but the congregation emerged in that year with the Portuguese. Rev M.N. Nathan was rabbi of the Fnelish and German synagogue at the time of the consecration of its new building in 1887, and for a number of years thereafter, and was active in various Jewish literary contrivances and undertakings, including the editorship of a Jewish monthly called ‘ First Fruita of the West (1845). Among other Jewish clerical leaders in Jamaica were Joshua Pardo (went to Jamaica as rabbi in 1683), Daniel Terael Lopez Laguna (Spanish Jewish poet, a contemporary of Pardo), Haham de Gor doz (went to Jamaica about the time of the American Revolution; died and was buried in Spanish Town in 1798), Rev A. P. Menden, Rev George Jacobs. After the disastrous conflagration in Kingston in 1882, an effort was made to unite all three of its synagogues, especially as the decrease of the Jewish population of Jamaica and its diminished commercial importance had made it desirable to concentrate religious energies. Difference as to ritual, however, induced a number of the mem bers of the Spanish and Portuguese congregation to withdraw from the movement; they conse crated a synagogue in Hast-street, in 1484. A number of members of the English and German congregation also withdrew, and finally conse crated a synagogue in 1884. A number of members of the English and German congrega tion also withdrew, and finally consecrated a synagogue in 1894. The majority of both, how ever, constructed a synagogue in Duke-street, under the name of “ Amalgamated Congregation of Israelitea’’ consecrated in 1888. The two principal congregations were merged in December 1900, since which they have worshipped under one roof, Rev Joseph M. Corees being their minister. Several communal charitable organisations are maintained in Kingston, the chief of which is the Hebrew Benevolent Society established in 1851. As we previously noted the Rev A. B Davis officiated at Kingston in 1854. His son, Mr Ernest L. Davis, (Chairman of Sydney Stock Exchange), was born in that city in January 2nd 1858. The Hon. Harmann Stern was born in King ston, August, 1940, Was Treasurer, Vice- President, and many times President of the Old English and German Synagogue, which was destroyed by fire in December 1882. Has been Vice-President, and several thea President, of the present United Congregation of Israelites. Has been for many years, and is now, President of the Hebrew Benevolent Society, and also
Newspaper Details
Sydney Hebrew Standard of Australasia
Sydney, New South Wales, AU
Fri, Jan 25, 1907
Page 12
Full Page
Clipped by
Jacob S.
USA 01 Feb 2026
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