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Jews in Curacao: A Remarkable History (PART TWO)
A look inside the exhibit “Longing for Freedom. The World of Anne Frank” opening at the Jewish Museum Curacao. Photo: Anne Frank House
Part One of this article appeared here.
Mother Congregation of the Americas
With strong leaders, the Curacao Jewish community grew both spiritually and financially. By 1750, about 2,000 Jews lived on the island, likely more Jews than in all thirteen American colonies combined.
During the 1700s and 1800s, the rabbis encouraged the community to share their wealth with Jewish communities worldwide, especially in the Americas and the Land of Israel. The community gave generous donations to help build the Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, the Shearith Israel Synagogue in New York, and shuls in Kingston, Jamaica, Charleston, and Philadelphia.
Until today, every Yom Kippur, the Touro Synagogue and Shearith Israel in New York say a prayer of thanks to Curacao for the help they gave over 200 years ago. Because of their generosity during this period, Curacao became known as the “Mother Congregation of the Americas.”
Signs of Assimilation
After 200 years of a strong Jewish community, things began to weaken. When Chacham Jacob Da Fonseca died in 1815, the community chose Jacob Hain de Abraham Curiel, a 60-year old merchant who was not knowledgeable of Jewish law, to replace him.
After some time, the community realized that his lack of knowledge was a problem, and they asked the Amsterdam community to send them a chazzan who would also serve as a temporary rabbi. Rabbi Jeosuah Piza, a student of Yeshivas Eitz Chaim, arrived in 1815. However, minor issues regarding things Rabbi Piza did (such as using a different wording to end kiddush) upset some in the community, and in December of 1818, Piza was honorably suspended from his position.
This suspension created a deep divide in the community, and a large group left. The separatists organized their own services and bought land to make their own cemetery. At the behest of the Machamad, which wanted to retain control over the community, the government once again became involved, trying to force the community to reunite, but the peace was very shaky.
The situation kept getting worse.
At the time, the Reform movement was spreading amongst German Jews in America, and the Curacao community, already weakened by strife, began to copy them. In 1864, one-third of the Jewish community broke away because they wanted to use an organ in shul on Shabbat. They built a new building that they called Temple Emanuel, and they established their own cemetery at Berg Altena.
Looking to cut his losses and appeal to the masses, the Chacham of Mikveh Yisroel, Rabbi Aron Mendes Chumaceiro, decided to make changes as well to liberalize the congregation.
Rabbi Isaac Leeser of Philadelphia, a prominent and vocal fighter against Reform, strongly criticized these changes in his periodical “The Occident.” He wrote, “We deeply regret that the rabbi should have found himself compelled to yield to the introduction of instrumental music in the synagogue…and it is futile to have this work done by a non-Jew.”
By 1964, due to assimilation, intermarriage, and emigration, neither Mikveh Israel nor Emmanuel could gather a minyan. They decided to reunite as Mikveh Israel-Emmanuel.
Today, Mikveh Israel-Emanuel still holds 18 Torah Scrolls that are centuries old. They are kept in the beautiful shul, built with great devotion. However, the strong Torah community that once thrived here, rooted in Spanish-Portuguese tradition, is now gone.
The Ashkenazi Community
Ashkenazi Jews started coming to Curaçao in the 1920s and 30s. Many did not plan to settle there, but when their ships stopped in Curacao, some decided to stay. Most were poor and earned a living by selling goods in rural areas, often buying from the Sephardi Jews already on the island. Over time, they opened shops and later larger stores.
As the Ashkenazi Jews became more successful, they formed their own community called Shaarei Tzedek. In 2006, they dedicated a new shul with a stunning glass dome. Today, the shul follows Ashkenazi customs, but Sephardim also pray there. The Chabad of Curacao uses the shul for its services and programs.
No Visa Required: Escaping Lithuania for Curacao (Sort of)
In 1939, two-thirds of Poland had been conquered by Germany, and one-third was under the rule of the Soviet Union. For a brief period at the end of 1939 and in early 1940, Lithuania was a neutral country. Recognizing a window of opportunity, Reb Chaim Ozer Grodzensky, leader of European Jewry, sent urgent telegrams to the yeshivas he could make contact with in Soviet-controlled Poland, urging them to escape to Lithuania en masse, hoping they would be saved in that manner. They followed his directive. However, when the Soviets invaded Lithuania in June of 1940, the haven of Lithuania was no longer safe for Jews.
Nachum Zvi (Nathan) Gutwirth, originally from Holland, was a student at Telshe Yeshiva and he joined the yeshiva as it fled to Lithuania. After the invasion, he too was desperate to escape Soviet rule, yet he could not return to his native Holland, because the Nazis had already taken it over. Nachum Zvi remembered from his school years that the Dutch owned an island called Curacao, 60 miles north of Venezuela. He thought that, as a Dutch citizen, he might be able to travel there and find freedom.
To leave the Soviet Union, a person needed an exit visa from Russia, a transit visa through Japan or another country, and a final destination. Knowing he could only get the first two if he had a destination, Nachum Zvi wrote to the Dutch Ambassador in Riga to ask for a visa to Curacao. The Ambassador replied that he did not need a visa for Curacao, just permission from the island’s governor, and only the governor could give that.
After thinking it over, Nachum Zvi had an idea that would later save thousands, including the students and teachers of the famed Mir Yeshiva. He asked the Ambassador to write on his passport, “No Visa to Curacao required,” hoping this would help him get the Russian exit visa and the Japanese transit visa.
To his great joy, the Ambassador was amenable to that and wrote to Nachum Zvi that he could go to the Dutch honorary consul, Jan Zwartendyk, based in Kovno, to have the words written on his passport.
On July 24, Zwartendyk, who was an acquaintance of Nachum Zvi, wrote “No visa to Curacao required” on Nachum Zvi’s passport. (Interestingly, just two days before, on July 22nd, another Dutch native who was stranded in Lithuania, Peppy Lewin, had the same idea and received “Curacao visas” for herself and her husband.) When two of the teachers of the Mir Yeshiva, Rabbi Leib Malin and Reb Lazer Portnoy, heard about Nachum Zvi’s idea, they approached him and asked if he could get the statement stamped on the passports of the 300 members of the Mir Yeshiva. Assisted by five Mir students, Zwartendyk was more than happy to help.
With the Curacao “visas,” Nachum Zvi, the Mir Yeshiva, and about 2,000 others received transit visas from Chiune-Sempo Sugihara to travel through Japan. After also getting exit visas from Russia, they managed to escape Nazi and Soviet Europe.
The Curacao Connection
In a remarkable turn of history, Curacao, once called “The Mother Congregation of the Americas” and home to about 2,000 Jews at its peak, played a key role in saving Jews who escaped Europe with the 2,000 “Curacao” visas. Among the refugees, the Mir Yeshiva stood out, later rebuilding Jewish life and Torah institutions in America and Israel after the Holocaust.
Perhaps there is a spiritual connection between the Curacao community’s dedication to Jewish community and Jewish education, and the fact that it was the destination that enabled the Mir Yeshiva and hundreds of other Jews to escape the Holocaust and rebuild Jewish communities in America and Israel after the war.
Rabbi Menachem Levine is the CEO of JDBY-YTT, the largest Jewish school in the Midwest. He served as Rabbi of Congregation Am Echad in San Jose, CA, from 2007 to 2020. He is a popular speaker and writes for numerous publications on Torah, Jewish History, and Contemporary Jewish Topics. Rabbi Levine’s personal website is https://thinktorah.org A version of this article was originally published at Aish.
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Milei Reaffirms Unwavering Support for Israel Ahead of Independence Day Visit
Argentine President Javier Milei speaks at the 12th annual Algemeiner J100 Gala on March 9, 2026, in New York City.
Argentine President Javier Milei has once again voiced his unwavering support for Israel ahead of a diplomatic visit beginning this weekend, during which he will take part in Independence Day celebrations and light a ceremonial torch.
In an interview with Israel’s Channel 14 on Thursday, Milei offered unequivocal support for Israel amid its ongoing war with Iran, describing the Islamist regime in Tehran as “an enemy to the West.”
“I defend Israel and the Jewish people because it is a just cause,” the Argentine leader said. “Israel stands as the fortress of the West. Turning your back on it would mean turning your back on a legacy that has produced one of the greatest civilizational achievements in history.”
“Rejecting Israel’s legacy to humanity means destroying everything that has made Western civilization great,” he continued.
Milei also praised both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, calling them “exceptional leaders,” amid what he described as a fight for democracy, freedom, and the very foundations of modern civilization.
“Beyond the threat of developing nuclear capabilities, Iran exports and finances terrorism around the world. It is not only an enemy of Israel, but of the entire West,” the Argentine leader said. “If we fail to understand the danger posed by this theocratic regime, we are jeopardizing our very existence.”
He also criticized the international community for what he portrayed as a lack of support for Washington and Jerusalem during the conflict, warning that such hesitation reflects a broader failure to confront rising global threats.
“They are cowards who are afraid to confront them. If you want peace, you must be prepared for war,” he said. “If we fail to understand that and refuse to face those who seek to destroy our existence, we will ultimately become victims anyway.”
In his third diplomatic visit to the Jewish state, Milei will arrive on Sunday to take part in Israel’s Independence Day celebrations, scheduled to run from April 19 to 22.
He will become the first foreign head of state to light a torch as part of the official Independence Day ceremony.
During his trip, Milei will also receive a series of honors, including the Presidential Medal of Honor from Israeli President Isaac Herzog and an honorary doctorate, in recognition of what Israeli officials describe as his exceptional contribution to Israel and humanity.
“Milei has demonstrated unwavering support for Israel on the international stage, stood alongside the families of Gaza hostages, and expressed a deep connection to the Jewish people and its heritage,” the Israeli president said in a statement announcing the decision, calling Argentina a “key ally.”
The Argentine leader “represents bold leadership and has pursued a clear, unequivocal policy of standing with the State of Israel as an ardent Zionist,” he continued.
During his visit, Milei will also meet with Netanyahu, and some reports suggest discussions could advance his earlier pledge to move Argentina’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
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Israeli Defense Chief Says Hezbollah Will Be Disarmed, Terror Group Vows Continued ‘Resistance’ as Truce Begins
Smoke rises following an airstrike in Lebanon, as seen from Israeli side of the border, April 11, 2026. Photo: REUTERS/Amir Cohen
As a newly agreed ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect, Israel’s defense minister warned on Friday that Hezbollah will ultimately be disarmed and Israeli forces will not withdraw from Lebanese territory, vowing the campaign will continue until the threat to Israel’s northern communities is fully eliminated.
During a press conference, Israel Katz said the military campaign had entered a temporary “freeze” phase under a 10-day ceasefire framework. However, he stressed that Israel’s operational objectives on the ground remain unfinished and the maneuver is far from complete.
“The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] will continue to hold all positions it has cleared and taken inside Lebanon,” the Israeli defense chief said. “The ground operation and nationwide strikes against Hezbollah have achieved significant gains, but the mission is not yet complete.”
“Disarming Hezbollah — whether through military force or political pressure — was and remains the central objective of the campaign to which we are committed,” he continued. “Significant political leverage has now also been created, with the direct involvement of US President [Donald Trump] and increased pressure on the Lebanese government to advance that goal.”
Katz’s remarks came shortly after the Iran-back Lebanese terrorist group issued a defiant statement rejecting the ceasefire and any prospect of direct negotiations with Jerusalem, while vowing its forces would continue resisting Israeli troops.
“Our fighters will keep their hands on the trigger, preparing for the enemy’s betrayal and violation of its commitments. We will remain loyal to the alliance until our last breath, and our flag will not fall,” the statement read.
“The presence of Israeli forces on Lebanese territory gives Lebanon and the Lebanese people the right to resist,” it continued.
Meanwhile, residents across southern Lebanon, Beirut, and other parts of the country began making their way back home as the ceasefire took effect, with social media footage showing reconstruction work already underway on infrastructure damaged during the war.
However, Israel has warned Lebanese citizens against returning to their homes at this stage, with officials saying that Hezbollah could try to exploit the situation to reestablish its terrorist infrastructure under civilian cover.
“With the ceasefire agreement taking effect, the IDF will continue to hold its positions in southern Lebanon in light of Hezbollah’s terrorist activity,” Col. Avichai Edraei, the IDF spokesperson in Arabic, said in a statement.
“Until further notice, you are asked not to move south of the Litani River,” he continued. “If the fire resumes, those who return to the security zone will be forced to evacuate in order to allow the mission to be completed.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also signaled that Israel does not intend to withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory, saying the military is establishing what he described as a “thickened security zone” along the border area.
“That’s where we are – and we’re not leaving,” the Israeli leader said in a video statement issued on Thursday.
Netanyahu also said the opportunity for a ceasefire emerged only after what he described as a dramatic shift in Lebanon’s strategic balance of power since the start of the war.
He pointed to major blows to Hezbollah’s military capabilities, including the killing of its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah in 2024 and the subsequent destruction of large weapons stockpiles, saying these developments led to calls from Lebanese officials for direct peace talks for the first time in decades.
With negotiations now underway toward a longer-term arrangement, Netanyahu said Israel’s position rests on two core demands: the full disarmament of Hezbollah and a “sustainable” security-based peace framework.
For its part, Hezbollah insisted any agreement must include a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and adherence to a reciprocal “quiet for quiet”” arrangement — terms Israel has rejected.
Netanyahu also warned that Hezbollah, which openly seeks Israel’s destruction, still retains a significant rocket arsenal, saying neutralizing that threat will remain a central component of the ongoing security and political process.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, nearly half of the roughly 8,000 rockets fired by Hezbollah during the war were launched from the southern Litani River region — an area that, under previous agreements, was supposed to be fully demilitarized.
The newly agreed ceasefire, which took effect Thursday-Friday at midnight, establishes a fixed 10-day window intended “to allow for good-faith negotiations toward a permanent security and peace agreement.”
As part of direct mediation efforts from Washington, Trump invited Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to White House talks aimed at advancing a broader settlement framework.
According to the US Department of State, the Lebanese government pledged to take “significant steps” to prevent Hezbollah from launching further attacks against Israeli targets.
“Both countries recognize the challenge posed by armed groups that violate Lebanon’s sovereignty and threaten regional stability … The only forces authorized to bear arms in Lebanon will be Lebanese government forces,” an official statement from the meeting said.
“Israel will retain its right to take all necessary measures for self-defense, at any time, against planned, immediate or sustained attacks,” it continued.
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Despite Winning New Jersey Special Election, Anti-Israel Candidate Underperforms in Heavily Jewish Town
Analilia Mejia, Democratic candidate for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, speaks to guests after winning the election in Montclair, New Jersey, US, April 16, 2026. Photo: REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
In Thursday night’s US congressional election in the 11th district of New Jersey, Jewish voters seemed to defect from the Democratic nominee in massive numbers, potentially foreshadowing a significant shift in Jewish voting patterns.
Analilia Mejia, a progressive activist known for her sharp condemnations of Israel, comfortably won the special congressional election in New Jersey in the deep-blue district by a margin of 60 percent to 40 percent.
Despite defeating her Republican opponent by 20 points, however, pundits pointed out that Mejia underperformed expectations and that Democrats hemorrhaged support among heavily Jewish communities.
In Livingston, New Jersey, a town with a significant Jewish population, Mejia barely eked out a 51-49 majority over Joe Hathaway, a staggering sea-change from recent elections. The deep-blue town voted for Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris by margins of 0.5 and 12 points, respectively. Taking into account party registration, the town has seen a shift to the political right by over 50 percent since 2024.
Though Mejia won Thursday’s race by a comfortable margin, experts pointed out that the progressive insurgent underperformed throughout the affluent suburban district. When taking into account party registration patterns, Mejia underperformed in Millburn by 23 points, North Caldwell by 10 points, South Orange by 7 points, and West Caldwell by 6 points, among others.
Spectators suggested that Mejia’s impressive margin of victory could be attributed to anti-Trump sentiment and massive turnout among Democrats and depressed turnout from Republicans.
Mejia’s positions on Israel, once considered fringe within the party, are increasingly becoming more mainstream, particularly in elections dominated by liberal voters. Her rhetoric on Israel, which critics say is one-sided and inflammatory, has drawn backlash from moderates and pro-Israel Democrats.
The outcome raises fresh questions about the party’s direction heading into national elections. While progressives see momentum, others worry candidates like Mejia could alienate Jewish and moderate voters while complicating efforts to maintain a broad electoral coalition. Her victory is likely to deepen internal party tensions, especially as debates over Israel grow more polarized and politically charged.
Mejia has said Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to “genocide,” a position that put her well to the left of many mainstream Democrats. She has aligned herself with calls for stronger conditions, or outright opposition, to US military support for Israel, reflecting the broader progressive wing’s push to reassess the traditional US-Israel relationship. She has also aimed sharp criticism toward the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the preeminent pro-Israel lobbying group in the US, calling the organization “horrendous” and accusing it of dividing the Democratic Party.
A progressive organizer with a record of criticizing Israeli government actions, Mejia benefited from a coalition of younger voters, activists, and highly engaged ideological blocs. Her win is consistent with recent polling trends showing a generational divide within the party, with younger Democrats expressing more skepticism toward Israel than older cohorts.
Mejia’s struggles in heavily Jewish and moderate areas of the district could forecast a split between the Democratic Party and what has been historically one of its most reliable voting blocs.
Since Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, massacre across southern Israel launched the Gaza war, the Democratic Paty’s rhetoric toward Israel has become increasingly hostile. Progressive Democrats, such as Reps. Ilhan Omar (MN) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY), have accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza.
This past week, approximately 80 percent of Democratic senators voted to halt military aid transfers to Israel, citing poor humanitarian conditions in Gaza and dismay over the US-Israeli war with Iran.