Jamaica To Host The Inaugural “Jewish Diaspora Of The Caribbean” International Conference From January 12-14, 2010
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica will be the host destination for the inaugural Jewish Diaspora of the Caribbean International Conference to be held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, in Kingston, from January 12-14, 2010. The event will feature renowned experts from the United States, Jamaica, France and Israel, who will be addressing a wide range of topics from cultural history including architecture, music, and religion to exploring Caribbean Jewish identity and heritage.
“Jamaica has a respected and vibrant Jewish movement that has aided in the development of the country,” said John Lynch, Jamaica’s Tourism Director. “It is therefore important for us to support this conference that seeks to provide a greater understanding of the Jewish Community, not only in Jamaica, but in the wider Caribbean. We hope this event will also position Jamaica as the preferred destination for faith-based travelers.”
Director of the United Congregation of Israelites, Kingston and Co-Chair of the conference, Ainsley Henriques, is thrilled with the international support the conference has garnered. “This conference is long overdue. We are pleased with the tremendous support that we have received from our partners, and those participating in the conference. This conference will be an avenue to educate, enlighten and enrich the lives of the Caribbean and International Jewry and introduce other individuals to the rich culture and history of our people.”
Following the event, from January 15 -16, participants can engage in a post-conference program that includes tours of prominent sites in Kingston that are of significant and historic value to the Kingston Jewish Community. From a tour of the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus where Jewish refugees from the Holocaust were housed during World War II to Kiddush and Dinner with Kingston’s Jewish Community, conference participants will have a chance to explore and embrace the history of the Kingston Jewry.
“The Jewish Diaspora of the Caribbean” sponsors include: The United Congregation of Israelites of Kingston, Jamaica, The Jamaica Tourist Board, The Institute for Sephardic Studies of the Graduate Center, CUNY, The University of the West Indies, The American Sephardi Federation, The International Survey of Jewish Monuments, The Commonwealth Jewish Council, Laurence and Ronnie Levine and Dr. John deMercado.
