(BLOG) Historical Data On Jews In Haiti

"History tells us that the Code Noir had little political effect on the French colony of Haiti. The first Jew to set food there was the interpreter Luis de Torres, as he must have been in most, if not all, of the islands discovered by Columbus on his first voyage.

Sephardim with names such as De Pass, Sarzedas, Soria and Toussaint owned plantations and traded throughout Haiti. The Gradis and Monsanto families were also in international trade there. Monsantos also maintained family ties in French New Orleans, St. Thomas, Curacao and other Caribbean islands.

Most Jews of this period, however, seem to have been employees of large plantation owners. During the Black Revolt of the late 18th century, Jews were forced to leave Haiti because of the anti-white violence. It is said that during the insurrection some Jewish families managed to reach safety in a town known as Jeremie. To this day, many Haitians from Jeremie claim Jewish ancestry."





Related Article:

• A look into Haiti’s tiny Jewish community