Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Says There is No Jewish Question in Costa Rican Republic

December 13, 1932
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

There is no Jewish question in the Central American Republic of Costa Rica. Jews live there in comfortable economic circumstances, but they suffer from cultural poverty.

The above statement is made to the correspondent of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency here by the Jewish Immigrant, Joshua Z. Efron, who arrived here from Costa Rica, where he lived for four years. He says that there are in the whole of Costa Rica, about four hundred Jews, mainly Polish and Russian, most of them engaged in the sale of clothing. According to Mr. Efron, there is no Jewish problem in Costa Rica. Aliens are generally held in high esteem and there are no special immigration difficulties. The sufferings of the Costa Rican Jews are not of a material nature, but spiritual. There is no Jewish social life whatever. Even Jewish newspapers do not reach the Jews there and their only association with Jewish affairs is through the newspapers which their friends send them from Europe. The only thing which the Jews in Costa Rica have succeeded in establishing during their five year sojourn, is a cemetery which was completed in 1930. The first Jewish death occurred a few months ago.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement