Sri Lanka

CJC Vice Presidents: David Rose, Saar Shapira

Demography

The Jewish community of Sri Lanka is extremely small but vibrant and Sephardi in origin.

A Chabad House  in Colombo caters for expatriates, businessmen and tourists, especially from Israel.

History

The first records of Jewish history in Sri Lanka were from the 9th century. merchants and traders, predominantly from Persia and Yemen, established trade routes for spices.

In the 12th century, David Maimonides (brother of the famous Moses, also known as the Rambam), established the Aden- Ceylon spice route. During this period, traveller Rabbi Benjamin of Tudela documented that there was a Jewish population of 3,000.

Jews fleeing persecution through the Medieval era sought refuge in Sri Lanka. Congregations formed in the major coastal cities of Colombo, Galle and Trincomalee. Galle is believed to have been the biblical city or Tarshish from where King Solomon shipped exotic animals and foods in 1000BCE.

Restrictions were imposed on the Jewish community during Portuguese rule in the 16th century. Although the community maintained a level of identity and practice, it is thought that many emigrated to join the Cochin Jews in India.

Life for the community improved under Dutch rule in the 17th century; Jews were free to practice their religion once again and the Jaffna and Colombo synagogues were built.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries brought a decline in numbers as people started to emigrate in search of better economic opportunities. This continued in 1948 with the uncertainty that followed Sri Lankan independence coinciding with the establishment of the State of Israel: many emigrated to Israel.

Public Life

The Jewish community has contributed widely to all areas of public life in Sri Lanka.

In 1841, a German Jew, Maurice Benedict de Worms, started the Ceylon tea industry by bringing the first tea seedlings over from China, and establishing a nursery with them.

There have been two Jewish Chief Justices: Sir Sidney Abrahams 1936-39; Sir Alan Rose 1947-51.

Community Life

All community life is run through the Chabad House in Colombo. It has a synagogue, mikveh, library and kosher restaurant.

Kashrut

Education

Youth

Affiliations

Commonwealth Jewish Council