Jews in Venezuela, numbering only 1,000 families, are taking a very active interest in world Jewish affairs and are developing their own communal and cultural life, Israel Sonnenschein, Venezuelan Jewish leader, now on a visit here, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency today.
Half of the Jews in Venezuela came to the country during the last ten years as refugees from Europe, but the basic component of the Jewish community are Sephardics who trace their existence in Caracas, Maracaibo and Valencia back almost 400 years, Mr. Sonnenschein said.
“The principal occupation of Venezuelan Jews is centered in the textile and furnishing industries,” Mr. Sonnenschein declared. “Jewish youths are admitted freely to all educational institutions where the policy is one of complete equality, and are welcomed into the student associations and activities. Among the organizations which benefit from campaigns carried on in Venezuela are the World Jewish Congress, Keren Hayesod and Keren Kayemeth,” He stressed that “very enthusiastic activity is carried on in behalf of Palestine.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
