Archief van de Portugees-Israëlietische Gemeente Curaçao
Item
Country
NL
Name of institution (English)
Amsterdam City Archives
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
dut
Contact information: postal address
Vijzelstraat 32, 1017 HL Amsterdam
Contact information: phone number
0031 202511511
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
stadarchief@amsterdam.nl
Reference number
1156
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
Archive of the Portuguese-Jewish Community of Curaçao
Title (official language of the state)
Archief van de Portugees-Israëlietische Gemeente Curaçao
Language of title
dut
Creator / accumulator
Portugees-Israëlietische Gemeente Curaçao
Date(s)
1737/1899
Language(s)
dut
fra
Extent
50 storage units
Type of material
Textual Material
Scope and content
This collection comprises documentation produced by the Portuguese Jewish community of Curaçao in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is organised into two series: 1) Stukken van algemene aard (documents of general nature), and 2) Stukken betreffende bijzondere onderwerpen (documents on special subjects). The first series includes two volumes, one with incoming letters from 1780 to 1844, and the other containing extracts of decisions of the Raad von Politie (Police Council) of Curaçao concerning the powers of the congregation government (1826-1834). The second series is organised into six thematic subseries: 1) Benoemingen (Appointments), 2) Financiën (Finance), 3) Beheer ten behoeve van leden (Management on behalf of members), 4) Sociale zorg (Social aid), 5) Rechtszaken (Lawsuits), and 6) Varia (Miscellaneous). Some highlights are the following:
No. 3: letters received from Amsterdam regarding the appointment of Moseh de Daniël Benveniste as Hazan, 1784.
No. 4: letters of application for the position of Doctor of the Poor in place of the late Doctor Da Sola, 1817.
No. 5: ballot papers for the election of the Hazan David Namias de Crasto, 1840.
Nos. 14-16: waybills of various skippers commissioned by the Aron Jessurun & Zn. company in Amsterdam for goods destined for the Portuguese Jewish community in Curaçao (1763-1837) and accounts with this company (1763-80).
Nos. 18-32: documents concerning estates of members managed by the Parnassim (1738-1805): Aboab, Benveniste and De Lemos, Carrion, Dias da Silva, Dovalle, widow of Joshua Henriques, Leon, Isaac Henriques Faro, Lindo, Lopes da Fonseca, Pinto, Senior and Touro.
No. 34: statement of the auction of goods from the estate of Joseph Perera Brandon, administered by the Parnassim, 1757-1815.
No. 40: documents concerning the administration of the insolvent estate of Benjamin de Sola, 1763-1840.
No. 43: judgment ordering Mosses Solas to pay a bill with costs, 1752.
No. 44: documents concerning the case against Abraham da Costa d'Andrade, 1775-91.
No. 3: letters received from Amsterdam regarding the appointment of Moseh de Daniël Benveniste as Hazan, 1784.
No. 4: letters of application for the position of Doctor of the Poor in place of the late Doctor Da Sola, 1817.
No. 5: ballot papers for the election of the Hazan David Namias de Crasto, 1840.
Nos. 14-16: waybills of various skippers commissioned by the Aron Jessurun & Zn. company in Amsterdam for goods destined for the Portuguese Jewish community in Curaçao (1763-1837) and accounts with this company (1763-80).
Nos. 18-32: documents concerning estates of members managed by the Parnassim (1738-1805): Aboab, Benveniste and De Lemos, Carrion, Dias da Silva, Dovalle, widow of Joshua Henriques, Leon, Isaac Henriques Faro, Lindo, Lopes da Fonseca, Pinto, Senior and Touro.
No. 34: statement of the auction of goods from the estate of Joseph Perera Brandon, administered by the Parnassim, 1757-1815.
No. 40: documents concerning the administration of the insolvent estate of Benjamin de Sola, 1763-1840.
No. 43: judgment ordering Mosses Solas to pay a bill with costs, 1752.
No. 44: documents concerning the case against Abraham da Costa d'Andrade, 1775-91.
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: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
The collection is organised thematically.
Access, restrictions
Digital copies of some records are available online:
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Carla Vieira, 2023
Linked resources
Filter by property
| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Congregation Mikvé Israel-Emanuel (Willemstad, Curaçao) (Small Collections) | Existence and location of originals |
| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Stadsarchief Amsterdam | Collections (official language of the state) |