Last reported in 2022, there are currently only two Jews in all of Guyana.
In 1659, the Dutch West India Company nominated a refugee from Brazil, David Nassy, as a patron of an exclusive Jewish settlement on the island of Cayenne, named Remire.
Guyana
WJC Affiliate
History
In 1659, the Dutch West India Company nominated a refugee from Brazil, David Nassy, as a patron of an exclusive Jewish settlement on the island of Cayenne named Remire. The Portuguese Jewish refugees from Brazil were joined by Sephardi Jews from Leghorn, Italy.
The Years of the Holocaust
Before the outbreak of World War II, there were a handful of Jews in the capital, Georgetown, but there was neither an organized community nor a synagogue. Early in 1939, 165 Jewish refugees from Europe, who arrived on the S.S. Koenigstein, were not permitted to disembark and shortly thereafter the government barred immigration. However, 130 Jews found refuge in the country during the interwar years, although most of them eventually emigrated.
Demography
In 1992, a group of about 20 Jewish families from North Africa and Suriname refounded a community in Cayenne. In 2022, there were only two Guyanese Jews reportedly living in the region.
Religious and Cultural Life
Jews are aided in maintaining Jewish life by the Chabad organization.
Kosher Food
For up-to-date information on Kosher restaurants and locations please see the Shamash Kosher Database.
Relations with Israel
Israel is represented by its ambassador in Caracas, Venezuela.
Jewish Community Pilo Sav 19, Av D'estrees Cayenne 97300, BP 655 Cayenne Guyane Francaise CEDEX 97335 Tel. 594 30 39 34, Fax 594 31 78 93.
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