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Our family can trace its Jamaican roots back to the 18th
century. In 1655 the Island of Jamaica was captured by the
British from the Spanish. From that date the secret Jews (or
conversos) who were then living on the island disguised as
Christians, along with thousands of Sephardic Jews who migrated
to the island over the years, were able to practice their
religion openly and without fear of persecution. The British
Government encouraged Jewish settlers and other colonists
by granting them land and so a large Jewish population grew
in numbers to some 2,500 by 1881, representing about 17.5%
of the total white population of Jamaica at that time.
After 250 years the island's Jewish population, due to migration,
inter-marriage and lack of religious commitment has dwindled
to only about 300 Jews. My wife and I were concerned with
the future Jewish identity of our three sons, Guy, Simon and
Jeremy, given the limited facilities on the island for Jewish
education. Migrating to Toronto in 1976 we were able to provide
our children with a more comprehensive Jewish education and,
on the secular side, give them the opportunity to attend and
graduate from their respective universities.
Today our three children are all married and participate
in an active Jewish-oriented life with their children receiving
a thorough Jewish education at day schools. We have seen how
indifference and neglect can weaken the Jewish chain of which
we are all a part and we are fortunate to have been able to
strengthen our own link.
In setting up our Charitable Fund we are mindful of the advice
of Michah:
"To do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly
with your God."
We are privileged to be part of the UJA Federation and to
be able to provide some assistance for needy causes now and
for the future.
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