Dutch Jewish in Curacao


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Ethnic Religions (Judaism)
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Curacao is a group of Caribbean islands 40 miles north of Venezuela, South America. Though the Spanish Empire had the upper hand in most of this region, the Dutch tried to take part of this land. Suriname (northern South America) and Curacao were two places where the two European empires collided. In 1634, the Dutch took Curacao from the Spanish Empire, and Dutch settlers began to arrive. Among them were Jewish settlers, one of which was Samuel Cohen who was part of the Dutch conquering forces.
These islands weren't suitable for agriculture, so many of the early Jewish colonists became traders and merchants. They had to trade with Spanish colonies to obtain their food. In exchange they offered textiles and plantation equipment, though a few were slave traders.
A high percentage of colonists were Jewish in the 1700s and 1800s. Commonly, men had to travel, leaving behind Jewish women. Jewish women outnumbered men in Curacao. Many of them never married. They spent their time getting better education and helping charitable projects.
In the 20th Century Jews arrived as refugees from the German Nazis. Others fled the oppression of the Soviet Union. Jewish communities blended, merged and often moved elsewhere.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today the Jewish population in Curacao is very small, but their influence is large. The local language, Papiamentu, has many Hebrew words. The Jews maintains a Jewish Cultural Historical Museum and a Jewish school. There is still the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue for their social and spiritual needs. A Jewish family established the Maduro & Curiel's Bank, which is headquartered in Curacao.


Because of the uniqueness of their history and culture, all Jews have a strong sense of identity.
What Are Their Beliefs?

For religious Jews, God is the Supreme Being, the Creator of the universe, and the ultimate judge of human affairs. Beyond this, the religious beliefs of the Jewish communities vary greatly. Orthodox Jews generally follow the traditional religious beliefs and practices found in the Jewish literature that interprets Scripture regarding ethical, religious, civil and criminal matters. Conservative Judaism is less traditional than Orthodox and combines different ethical, philosophical, and spiritual schools of thought. Reform Judaism is the most liberal form and interprets Jewish beliefs and practices in light of contemporary life and thought. Reform Jews do not believe that the Jewish Law is divinely revealed. They are not restricted to kosher (traditional, approved) foods, nor do they wear the skull cap (yarmulke) when praying or use Hebrew in prayer. All religious Jews believe in the coming of a Messianic Age, but only the Orthodox Jew looks for a personal Messiah.


What Are Their Needs?

The Jews understand their connection with the Abrahamic covenant. However, they also have a history of rejecting Jesus Christ as Messiah, the one who fulfilled that covenant. Jewish people need to understand Jesus as the fulfillment of what God promised humanity through Abraham centuries ago.
Unfortunately, "Jewishness" is often defined in secular terms such as the use of Yiddish words and family traditions, rather than in spiritual aspects, such as looking to the God of Abraham for all their needs. This attitude keeps Jewish people from finding spiritual truth that would lead them to their Messiah.


Prayer Points

Pray for Jewish people to have a hunger for truth and righteousness that will lead them to their Messiah.
Pray that God will grant Jewish background believers favor as they share their faith in Christ with Jewish people.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to prepare and thrust out Christ's ambassadors to the Jewish communities.
Pray for a movement to Christ among each Jewish community.


Scripture Prayers for the Jewish, Dutch in Curacao.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews_in_Cura%C3%A7ao
https://momentmag.com/jewish-curacao/
https://www.jewishcuracao.com/jewish-history-in-curacao
https://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/about/communities/CW


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Jewish, Dutch
People Name in Country Jewish, Dutch
Natural Name Dutch Jewish
Pronunciation dutch joo
Alternate Names
Population this Country 400
Population all Countries 33,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 11661
ROP3 Code 102791

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Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions (Judaism)
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
90.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
10.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Dutch (400 speakers)
Language Code nld   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Dutch (400 speakers)
Language Code nld   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Dutch

Primary Language:  Dutch

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1477-2003)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1480-1992)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1525-2023)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Dutch Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Dutch YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Evangelische Bijbel Vertaling (EBV) General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Evangelische Bijbel Vertaling - Studie (EBV-S) General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: JM Nederlands: Jezus Messias (1993) General / Other
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Dutch YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible Gateway scripture Bible Gateway
Text / Printed Matter Cartoon Gospel tract General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Anonymous 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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