From the Inquisition to the Caribbean:

The Jews of Jamaica

Sunday, January 14

USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET

UK 8:00 pm / France 09:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm

The talk will last approximately 90 minutes

About this talk

The history of Jews in Jamaica is rich and extensive. The first wave of arrivals were escaping the Inquisition. Among the latest immigrants were European refugees running away from Nazism.

Today the Jewish community is very connected with the local Jamaican population. Only one active synagogue remains, the sand floored Shaare Shalom, which hosts the United Congregation of Israelites in Kingston. Though the community today is but a fraction of its former size, its impact on Jamaica endures.

About Rivka

Rivka Campbell is a Canadian Jew whose parents immigrated from Jamaica. She is the co-founder of Jews of Colour - Canada, which seeks to build community among Jews of Colour in Canada while opening dialogue among the mainstream Jewish community.

She is the Executive Director for Beth Tikvah Synagogue and a Board Member of the North American Association of Synagogue Executives (NAASE).

Rivka is a recognized speaker and educator on Jewish Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). She is currently filming a documentary on Jewish Diversity and has a Canadian Jewish News (CJN) podcast called "Rivkush". Rivka has lectured at Limmud, synagogues, JCCs, community groups and Hebrew Schools.

Choose your contribution amount

With your contribution you will also be donating to Kulanu Canada, which was established in 2014 to support and assist Jewish communities that are isolated, new or re-emerging, and to educate
Canadians about these communities and the diversity of the Jewish people.

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