Records of the Curaçao Jewish Community Collection
Item
Country
US
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
eng
Contact information: postal address
15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011
Contact information: phone number
001 2122948301
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
RCMiller@cjh.org (archive and library services)
Inquiries@cjh.org (research inquiries)
Inquiries@cjh.org (research inquiries)
Reference number
I-112
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (official language of the state)
Records of the Curaçao Jewish Community Collection
Language of title
eng
Creator / accumulator
American Jewish Historical Society
Date(s)
1672/1982
Language(s)
deu
dut
eng
heb
por
spa
others
Extent
1 box and 4 reels (microfilms)
Type of material
Textual Material
Scope and content
This collection contains Dutch and Portuguese documents pertaining to the Jewish community of Curaçao and dealing especially with the Congregations Mikvé Israel and Neve Salom. It is divided into three series. The first one is composed of primary sources dating from 1683 to 1934 and contains the following documents:
folder 1: document from the city government to the Jewish community promising non-interference, 1683;
folder 2: document signed by David Abentar and David Israel Athias, 1716;
folder 3: fragment signed by Raphael Jesurun, 1716;
folder 4: document regarding the Neve Salom congregation, 1733;
folder 5: letter from the Dutch government recognising ketubah as a valid legal document, 1741;
folder 6: David Aboab controversy, 1746;
folder 7: permission to build a new synagogue, 1746;
folder 8: controversy over obtaining a permit to build Neve Salom, 1746;
folder 9: communal regulations, 1750;
folder 10: re-establishment of peace in the Jewish community, 1751;
folder 11: Misheberach prayer, circa 1760, mentioning Aaron Lopez, Jacob Rodriguez Rivera, Daniel Gomez, and the congregations Shearith Israel of New York, Shaar Hashamayim of Jamaica, and Neve Salom of Surinam;
folder 12: permission to change the Mahamad, 1771;
folder 13: brochure of Sir Moses Montefiore centenary in 1885;
folder 14: "Rapport van de reis naar Europa..." by H. J. Cohen Henriques, 1914;
folder 15: regulations of Mikvé Israel, 1886-1919;
folder 16: regulations of Alivio del Pobre (Mikvé Israel's welfare fund), 1879-1934;
folder 17: cover letter addressed to Abraham Haim Fidanque, undated;
folder 18: document fragments, undated;
folder 19: documents regarding David Nunes Torres, undated;
folder 20: handwritten notes on the history of Jews in Curaçao, undated;
folder 21: prayer times and synagogue honours, undated.
The second series is composed of secondary sources dating from 1944-1982. It includes miscellany articles and publications, photographs, translations of blessings used by the Curaçao congregation, and documents regarding the Caribbean Conference of Liberal Congregations (1966) and the 250th anniversary of Congregation Mikve Israel-Emanuel (1982).
The third series includes four rolls of microfilmed documentary and printed materials, containing: lists of births (1723-1854; 1854-1891), deaths (1883-1912), community members and synagogue officials; copies of communal regulations; a pastoral letter of Chief Rabbi Chumaceiro (1864); miscellaneous correspondence relating to synagogue affairs; printed copies of sermons, discourses and occasional prayers (including one for the Moses Montefiore centenary); printed invitations and announcements; miscellaneous newspaper clippings; and copies of numerous publications dealing with communal affairs and Curaçao Jewish history.
Digital copies of some documents of the first series are available online:
folder 1: document from the city government to the Jewish community promising non-interference, 1683;
folder 2: document signed by David Abentar and David Israel Athias, 1716;
folder 3: fragment signed by Raphael Jesurun, 1716;
folder 4: document regarding the Neve Salom congregation, 1733;
folder 5: letter from the Dutch government recognising ketubah as a valid legal document, 1741;
folder 6: David Aboab controversy, 1746;
folder 7: permission to build a new synagogue, 1746;
folder 8: controversy over obtaining a permit to build Neve Salom, 1746;
folder 9: communal regulations, 1750;
folder 10: re-establishment of peace in the Jewish community, 1751;
folder 11: Misheberach prayer, circa 1760, mentioning Aaron Lopez, Jacob Rodriguez Rivera, Daniel Gomez, and the congregations Shearith Israel of New York, Shaar Hashamayim of Jamaica, and Neve Salom of Surinam;
folder 12: permission to change the Mahamad, 1771;
folder 13: brochure of Sir Moses Montefiore centenary in 1885;
folder 14: "Rapport van de reis naar Europa..." by H. J. Cohen Henriques, 1914;
folder 15: regulations of Mikvé Israel, 1886-1919;
folder 16: regulations of Alivio del Pobre (Mikvé Israel's welfare fund), 1879-1934;
folder 17: cover letter addressed to Abraham Haim Fidanque, undated;
folder 18: document fragments, undated;
folder 19: documents regarding David Nunes Torres, undated;
folder 20: handwritten notes on the history of Jews in Curaçao, undated;
folder 21: prayer times and synagogue honours, undated.
The second series is composed of secondary sources dating from 1944-1982. It includes miscellany articles and publications, photographs, translations of blessings used by the Curaçao congregation, and documents regarding the Caribbean Conference of Liberal Congregations (1966) and the 250th anniversary of Congregation Mikve Israel-Emanuel (1982).
The third series includes four rolls of microfilmed documentary and printed materials, containing: lists of births (1723-1854; 1854-1891), deaths (1883-1912), community members and synagogue officials; copies of communal regulations; a pastoral letter of Chief Rabbi Chumaceiro (1864); miscellaneous correspondence relating to synagogue affairs; printed copies of sermons, discourses and occasional prayers (including one for the Moses Montefiore centenary); printed invitations and announcements; miscellaneous newspaper clippings; and copies of numerous publications dealing with communal affairs and Curaçao Jewish history.
Digital copies of some documents of the first series are available online:
Administrative / Biographical history
The history of the Jewish community of Curaçao dates back to the conquest of the island from Spain in 1634 and the arrival of the first Jewish settlers, probably from Holland, shortly after. In 1650, twelve Sephardic families (De Meza, Aboab, Pereira, De Leon, La Parra, Touro, Cardozo, Jesurun, Marchena, Chaves, Oliveira, Henriquez Coutinho) were granted permission by Prince Maurice of Orange to settle there. The land assigned to these early settlers was located on the northern outskirts of the present district of Willemstad, which is still known as the "Jodenwyk" (Jewish quarter).
After the conquest of Brazil by the Portuguese in 1654, a large number of Jewish refugees came to Curaçao. This circumstance led to the effective Jewish settlement in Amsterdam. Two years later, the local community established the Congregation Mikvé Israel under the direction of the Spanish and Portuguese community of Amsterdam. In the same year of 1656, the land originally granted to the first twelve Sephardic families was appropriated for a burial ground and was consecrated to its purpose. Also, a small wooden building was rented to house regular daily services. It was only in 1692 that a synagogue was erected and consecrated on the eve of Passover. The services were read by hazzan David Raphael Lopez de Fonseca. The building, enlarged and reconsecrated in 1731, still stands at present.
A period of substantial prosperity for the Jews of Curaçao began early in the 18th century. In 1715, they established a benevolent society for the care of the sick and needy. By 1750 the number of Jews living in Curaçao had increased to about 2,000, most of them merchants and traders. By the end of the 18th century, Jews owned most of the property in the district of Willemstad.
By 1740, two communities had come into existence. A new community occupied a tract across the harbour from Willemstad, known as "Otrabanda". In order to avoid crossing the water on the Sabbath to attend divine services, those who resided in this outlying district formed themselves into the Neveh Shalom (Dwelling of Peace) congregation, and in 1745 consecrated their synagogue. For a time, this was regarded as merely a branch of the older congregation, remaining under its direction. However, after a series of disputes, the congregation became independent in 1870.
After the conquest of Brazil by the Portuguese in 1654, a large number of Jewish refugees came to Curaçao. This circumstance led to the effective Jewish settlement in Amsterdam. Two years later, the local community established the Congregation Mikvé Israel under the direction of the Spanish and Portuguese community of Amsterdam. In the same year of 1656, the land originally granted to the first twelve Sephardic families was appropriated for a burial ground and was consecrated to its purpose. Also, a small wooden building was rented to house regular daily services. It was only in 1692 that a synagogue was erected and consecrated on the eve of Passover. The services were read by hazzan David Raphael Lopez de Fonseca. The building, enlarged and reconsecrated in 1731, still stands at present.
A period of substantial prosperity for the Jews of Curaçao began early in the 18th century. In 1715, they established a benevolent society for the care of the sick and needy. By 1750 the number of Jews living in Curaçao had increased to about 2,000, most of them merchants and traders. By the end of the 18th century, Jews owned most of the property in the district of Willemstad.
By 1740, two communities had come into existence. A new community occupied a tract across the harbour from Willemstad, known as "Otrabanda". In order to avoid crossing the water on the Sabbath to attend divine services, those who resided in this outlying district formed themselves into the Neveh Shalom (Dwelling of Peace) congregation, and in 1745 consecrated their synagogue. For a time, this was regarded as merely a branch of the older congregation, remaining under its direction. However, after a series of disputes, the congregation became independent in 1870.
Access points: locations
Access points: persons, families
Access points: corporate bodies
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
The collection is divided into three series according to the type of documentation and support: Serie I, Primary sources (1683-1934); Serie II, Secondary source (1944-1972); Serie III, Microfilms (1672-1976). Units of each series are arranged chronologically.
Access, restrictions
The collection is open to all researchers, except items that may be restricted due to their fragility, or privacy. Folders 1, 2, 4, 7, 8 and 12 have been digitized as part of an ongoing digitization-on-demand program at the Center for Jewish History.
Finding aids
A typed inventory of the microfilmed material is included in the collection (folder 27).
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Carla Vieira, 2022
Bibliography
Linked resources
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| American Jewish Historical Society (Center for Jewish History) | Collections (official language of the state) |