A very short history of the Jews of Singapore

Humble beginnings...

• 1830: First recorded entry referring to the presence of Jews in Singapore
• 1873: Manasseh Meyer obtains permission to build a synagogue in Waterloo Street
• 1881: Ashkenazi Jews seek refuge in Singapore after the assassination of Tsar Alexander II
• 1882: Saul Jacob Nathan sets up a firm of share and exchange brokers in Change Alley

Untitled Slide

A COMMUNITY GROWS...

• 1905: Jewish residents in Singapore number approximately 500, Chesed El synagogue built
• 1920: Joe Elias appointed Municipal Commissioner
• 1937: Jewish Lads' Brigade formed
• 1939: Jewish population reaches 1,500

Untitled Slide

Untitled Slide

Untitled Slide

TRUE OR FALSE?

• Indian cooks were specially trained in the laws of kashrut
• The Chesed El synagogue was set up because of a disagreement
• Jewish students were granted leave of absence to observe High Holidays
• Arabic was frequently spoken at home
• Families liked to train their own amahs

JAPANESE OCCUPATION AND INTERNMENT

• 1942: The fall of Singapore and evacuation to Bombay
• 1942-1945: Occupation, "Syonan-to" (Light of the South) and internment
• 1945: Japanese surrender

Untitled Slide

Untitled Slide

BUILDING A REPUBLIC... AND BEYOND

• 1955: David S. Marshall becomes first Chief Minister of Singapore
• 1996: Jewish day school established
• 2007: Jacob Ballas Centre opens
• Present day: Small but active community of about 2,000

Untitled Slide

Untitled Slide

Untitled Slide

Untitled Slide

Untitled Slide

Untitled Slide

Untitled Slide

Untitled Slide

TRUE OR FALSE?

• The synagogues often brought in Arab-speaking hazans from Baghdad
• David S. Marshall was a great advocate for Jewish causes and an ardent Zionist
• Jewish detainees found ways to entertain themselves while they were interned
• The Jewish population returned to pre-war levels after the Japanese surrender
• There is no anti-Semitism in Singapore today

KNOW YOUR ARABIC!

• Awafi
• Booma
• Mijnoon
• Hadoosh
• Hajem

Untitled Slide

Untitled Slide

Untitled Slide

Untitled Slide

Untitled Slide

Untitled Slide

Untitled Slide

Untitled Slide

Untitled Slide