|
Jews Of Singapore, The
by Bieder, Joan
About This Book
Although this volume might seem at first sight to be "just a coffee table book", it is actually a substantial addition to Jewish and Singaporean heritage literature. Archival documents and photographs, family records and memories, personal interviews, and research locally and abroad are incorporated in the account of the history of Singapore's Jews and the part they have played in the country's life and development. The Community's background and beginnings are traced from the arrival of the first known Jewish merchant in the 1830s and the 1841 successful application of "six Jewish merchants from Baghdad" to establish a place of worship (along today's Synagogue Street) and a cemetery. The 18 chapters explore many aspects of Jewish life including: why Jews emigrated to - and at times from - Singapore; Jewish identity in Singapore; the rich/poor and other social stratifications; occupations and lifestyles of both the mega-rich and the sometimes very poor majority; Jewish experience in World War I and World War II in the hardships of internment and afterwards; the lives of women; the significance within and outside the Community of notable personalities including Abraham Solomon (1798-1884), Sir Manasseh Meyer (1843-1930), David Marshall (1908-1995), Jacob Ballas (1920-2000), and Mozelle Nissim (1883-1975); Jewish rites, beliefs, and buildings; and also the recent growth and revitalisation of Jewish education and life in Singapore. With bibliography and references.
* Actual charges are made in Singapore Dollars (SGD). SGD1.00 = US$0.72
|