The story of Jewish settlement in the Caribbean goes back hundreds of years, and includes the Inquisition, New Christians and Conversos, explorers,  traders and merchants,  early pioneer/settlers, Jewish pirates and more. Immigrants came initially from Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, and other parts of Europe, and each overtime settled into the local community. The oldest Jewish community was likely that on Jamaica, a land originally given to Christopher Columbus, a Converso,  and bequeathed to his heirs. Much migration, intermarriage, war, travel etc and the communities evolved, sometimes disappearing. New Jewish communities have emerged, some through conversion, some re-emerging from decades of being “hidden Jews.”

The first program, presented by Wilfred Lindo, born and raised in Jamaica, will inform the audience of one family’s story, and the background to the Jamaican community, one of mixed heritage. The synagogue community now is small, but its history is extremely important. Wilfred Lindo is past chair of Pride of Israel Synagogue and his family is a well established Toronto family today.

Payment at the door will also be available. Register online to reserve your place.