The "2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Haiti," published by the U.S. Department of State, estimates that the Haitian Jewish community is comprised of only 20 individuals.
Haiti
WJC Affiliate
History
The first Jewish visitor to Haiti was Luis de Torres, who acted as Columbus's converso interpreter. In the seventeenth century, following the French conquest of Haiti, the first Jewish immigrants arrived from Brazil. Jews from Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon immigrated to Haiti during the start of the 20th century. In the 1930s, Jews from eastern Europe arrived.
Demography
There has been steady emigration during the second half of the century. Most of the remaining Jews live in Port-au-Prince.
Community Life
The Jews of Haiti have never been able to establish a communal organization.
Religious and Cultural Life
Religious services are organized in a private home.
Kosher Food
For current information on Kosher restaurants and locations, please see the Shamash Kosher Database.
Relations with Israel
In 1947, Haiti voted for the United Nations’ partition of Palestine and the creation of the State of Israel. Many Haitians have a lot of admiration for Israel and its struggles. The Israeli ambassador in Panama represents Israeli interests in Haiti. Israel maintains an honorary consulate in Port-au-Prince. Currently, George Bigio is the honorary consul of Israel in Haiti and flies a massive Israeli flag outside his home.
Israel and Haiti maintain full diplomatic relations.
Contact address: P.O. Box 687 Port-au-Prince Tel. 509 1 20 638
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