The Jews in Jamaica are integrated into the general life of the country and are making contributions to the welfare of the nation as a whole. This was reported here by Rabbi Bernard Hooker at a meeting of the Guild of Jewish Journalists held at the Jamaican High Commission. Rabbi Hooker, who for the past 10 years has served as minister to the Jewish community in Kingston, said there is genuine cooperation between all faiths within Jamaica.
Jamaican Jews, which number some 500 of a total population of about two million, have established a Jewish school, the Hillel Academy. However, the rabbi reported, only some 10 percent of the pupils at the school are Jewish. The rest are Jamaicans and they include the Prime Minister’s son. The Jewish pupils receive instructions in Hebrew and Jewish religion, but this is not compulsory for the other pupils, Rabbi Hooker said.
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