Virtual Tour of Jewish Barbados

Join the BZD and writer and historian Neal Rechtman for a fascinating tour visiting the restored Nidhe Israel synagogue (1654) in Barbados, its adjacent cemeteries, and the recently discovered Mikvah. Learn how a group of Sephardic Jews, fleeing the Portuguese Inquisition in Brazil, made their way to Barbados and secured the protection of Oliver Cromwell, the Protestant leader of England. Then, jump back in time to 1627 and learn about the Sephardi community of Barbados (1654-1927) and the subsequent Ashkenazi community (1934-present). Neal is an active member of the tiny 50-person Barbados Jewish Community, giving him the distinction of being 2% of the entire Jewish population of the island. He is also an avid bridge player who competes internationally as a member of the Barbados National Bridge team.