RABBI ARTHUR SEGAL: BLUFFTON SUN JANUARY 2015: SINGAPORE JEWISH COMMUNITY
BLUFFTON SUN NEWSPAPER,
BLUFFTON, SC; HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC;
RABBI ARTHUR SEGAL, JEWISH SPIRITUAL RENEWAL
INTERNATIONAL JEWISH COMMUNITIES REFLECT CORE BELIEFS E.G. SINGAPORE
Shalom and Peace:
Since 2009 I have been blessed to write articles on Jewish ethics, spirituality, our holy days, and the teachings that are common to both Christianity and Judaism. In 2015, I wish to explore various international Jewish communities in which I have visited. I hope to show that the teachings of Judaism do not occur in a vacuum and communities have their own struggles yet maintain Judaism's core beliefs.
Let's start with the Jews of Singapore. In 1819, Johore's Sultan permitted Englishman Sir Stamford Raffles to establish a trading post in Singapore. Nine Jewish Bahdadi traders established the successful trade center Change Alley. In 1840, the wealthy Sassoons established businesses . The Jewish population increased. A small synagogue was built on "Synagogue Street." This street still exists. Although traditional Sabbath rules only allow Jews to walk, Jews used rickshaws on Sabbath as it was deathly hot. Saving lives trumps any Jewish ritual law.
In 1878, Maghain Aboth Synagogue on Waterloo Street was consecrated. Menasseh Meyer contributed funds. Arriving poor in Singapore at 15, he eventual owned half of Singapore, growing wealthier as an opium trader, legal under British rule, and was knighted.
A 1904 argument with a member of Maghain Aboth led Sir Meyer to build a private synagogue, Chesed El, attached to his mansion on Oxley Rise. To obtain the ten men Minyan required for communal prayer, Meyer employed "Minyan Men." In 1920, his Minyan Men went on strike, demanding higher salaries and rickshaw fare.
In 1939, 1,000 Jews lived in Singapore ,interned by the Japanese in WW2. Forced to wear armbands and medallions with the word 'Jew', they did forced hard labor. David Marshall , president of the synagogue, survived. When England granted Singapore partial independence in 1955, Marshall was appointed as the first Chief Minister. When England denied full sovereignty, Marshall, known as Singapore's "Father of Independence," resigned his post in protest.
Today, 300 Jews are citizens. Maghain Aboth has daily services and adult education. Chesed El is used as their community center. A reform congregation meets in homes on Shabbat. I have been blessed to speak at both. From 2010 -2013, David Adelman was the USA's ambassador to Singapore. His brother and father live on Hilton Head Island.
Rabbi Arthur Segal is an international lecturer, author, and teacher. Visit him at www.JewishSpiritualRenewal.org . Email at RabbiASegal@aol.com
www.JewishSpiritualRenewal.com/books www.FaceBook.com/Arthur.L.Segal www.FaceBook.com/RabbiArthurSegalJewishSpiritualRenewal www.RabbiArthurSegal.blogspot.com
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Hilton Head Island, SC; Bluffton, SC; Savannah, GA
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