Jewish Community Demography
Most of the Jews live in Panama City, but there are also communities in Colon, David and the former American Canal Zone. In the last two decades, immigration has tripled the number of Jews in the community, which includes more than 1,000 Israelis.
History
Although Panama was a Spanish colony, due to its geographic location it served as a transit point for many Spanish-Portuguese Jews enroute from North to Latin America, or from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans. Spanish Jews camouflaged as "New Christians" and as "Portuguese merchants" settled there. However, the Inquisitions of Lima and Cartagena sent emissaries to prevent any Jewish activity.
Settlement by Jews openly practicing their Judaism started in 1836 with the arrival of Portuguese Jews from Jamaica, Guadeloupe, and Curacao. They were joined by Jews from the Virgin Islands and later from Central Europe. In 1876 the Spanish-Portuguese synagogue Kol Shearith Israel was founded in Panama City, and in 1890 the Kahal Kodesh Yaacov in Colon.
With the construction of the Panama Canal and especially following World War I, Jews came from Syria, Turkey and Eretz Israel and these founded Shevet Ahim in Panama City, Ahvat Ahim in Colon and a small community in David. American Jewish officials and service men stationed in Balboa in the former American Canal Zone established their own community.
Community
The representative body of the Jewish community is the Consejo Central Comunitario Hebreco de Panama. Panama has active B'nai B'rith and WIZO chapters.
Religious Life
The community has three synagogues including a Reform congregation. The largest is the Sephardi (Orthodox) Shevet Ahim which also has a mikva on the premises. Kosher food is readily available and there are five kosher restaurants.
Culture And Education
There are two Jewish high schools with a total enrollment of 1,300 students. The Hebrew cultural center in Panama City sponsors many communal cultural activities and there is also a Jewish sports club.
Israel
Israel and Panama have full diplomatic relations.
Aliya- Since 1948, 176 Panamanian Jews have immigrated to Israel.
Anecdotes
Panama is the only country besides Israel that has had two Jewish Presidents in the 20th century Max Shalom Delvalle (1969) and Eric Delvalle Maduro (1987-1988)
ADDRESSES
Jewish Community
PO Box 3309, Panama City 4
Tel: 507-263-8411
Fax: 507-264-7936
Embassy
Edif. Grobmaes 5 piso
Calle Manuel Maria Icaza 12
PO Box 6357, Panama City 5
Tel. 507-264-8022
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