Our Culture:

Out Of Many Cultures: One People

The Jews In Jamaica Jamaica Jewish History

Jamaica is our Number #1 destination, therefore, it is necessary for us to make this public announcement.

People travel in order to experience other cultures. People should 'want to' travel to Jamaica to experience its cultures. It is not about changing Jamaica's culture.

To go to Jamaica and experience the culture, is just like going to Japan or China and experiencing their culture.

One should already be aware that facial features are different. Hair textures will be different from what one is used to seeing everyday. Language spoken may be different, as well as style of dressing and everyday living accommodations.

It tells the story of Jamaica as a culture of people as well as knowing that even though we are different in some form or another, that we are still human beings deserving of the same respect that any one set of people would want. Indeed, Jamaica is known for attracting sun seekers to its Beautiful Beaches and warm gentle atmosphere. It is also a country (an island) bless with a rich culture.

Cow in the road, grazing; Goats in and alongside the roads; Jamaicans dress in bright mixed-matched clothing's, potholes galore due to Jamaica's granitic /volcanic earth's formation, happens to be all part of the culture, so expect potholes along the way.

If one do not want to experience or deal with all this experience of 'uniqueness, ' 'culture,' then there are simply three ways to avoid it. 1). Fly into the respective Tourist area. 2). Once arrived, don't leave the secluded All-inclusive hotel(s) and grounds. 3). Do Jamaica and its people the favor of not coming/going to their Paradise.

In understanding diversity under the island's Motto, "Out of Many one People," Jamaicans sees nothing wrong with the goats and cows wondering about, especially in what used to be "their sleepy little fishing village." They sees nothing wrong in the way the men sits out in the evenings, playing dominoes, as their own social pastime, or their little "uniquely styles cottage homes" along the roadway, often misquoted as 'obscure poverty,' instead, purely Jamaicans own Jamaican 'style' and culture. Very often "quaintness" is/ gets interpreted as "absolute poverty."

Debunking a Myth: People often judge Jamaica as being so 'poor' because they compare it to THEIR OWN CULTURE..which is wrong..

For example..in the United States, they don't build in concrete...maybe concrete block..In Jamaica they build in concrete($)... Does that mean the people in the Jamaica should judge the people in the United States because their houses is not as strong? ...

Very often the Rastafarian lifestyle of living, assumed by Tour groups travelling along the way, in JUTA buses, get misinterpret as: "Jamaican people are very poor."

This sect, too, make up (are part of) the rich Jamaican culture. You may not like their "fallacious hair- do"; and they may very well not in favor of your 'bleached hair.'

The basis here is to understand the difference, and respecting it.

Important information for Tourist(s) to know. Read Carefully.

We are not strangers. We are not outsiders, instead we are Jamaicans with full understanding of the culture: Jamaica. Our desire is to provide you with enough information so that you will not be mislead into erroneous and embarrassing situations. While less than 15% of the Jamaican population is involved in drugs, with a cross-section of the said also involved in crimes, not much is ever said about the remaining 85% of our population.Instead the various media outlets will and choose to concentrate and focus their attention on the negative.

The majority(85+%) of us Jamaicans are loving, friendly and caring people.We are also very hard-working, honest people. We are a small Island of people. We are a people of color, proud and strong.

Our dialects of, 'patois' languages can be heard, and are spoken in many forms. Patois is a language of its own, unique to the "colorful cultures' of people," therefore, it is considered an 'offensive' for any foreigners' to try to speak it to Jamaicans.

Contrary to popular belief, we are not trying to be a First World nation. Instead, our objectives, always, is to humble ourselves and enjoy our little 'paradise'

~~Peaceful ~~ Serene ~~ and ~~ Clean ~~

Yes, we care!

Helping Hands ( (~~ )) Helping Hands

"The community that cares"

General Recommendations To Tourist Visiting Jamaica/Negril

By Noamie- Travel Consultant

One of the many mishaps that Visitors often encounter visiting Jamaica/Negril, is that many planned their vacation with other intentions or motives. My reasons for saying so it that if anyone should pick up any newspaper of any given city(cities) whether in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, South America, you will/ they will read where some kind of a crime was committed that week or the following day. Yet rarely to none in Negril.

However, I find that most of the visitors from the North America region, will figure out a way to get themselves involved in one way or another in the social and political mixup of Jamaica.

When that happen, not only do they redefined the word "vacation" they also put themselves at risk.

For the most path, visitors/tourists finding themselves in such predicament, deserve 'just what they get.' Be wise, Be smart! A vacation is just that. "A vacation." Not the Hardy Boys series, or Nancy Drew sleuthing. Noamie- is aTravel Consultant and an educator in the Travel &Tourism/Hospitality Industry.

A Short Note About Safety:

By Paracme In Reply to: Re: Noamie..Another expert in the crew.....

Jamaica can be a very safe place, I think, if you avoid some urban areas (most of Kingston, only parts of Mobay). More importantly, if you associate with decent people, there is little to fear. If you associate with drug dealers, sleazy rastas reeking of ganja, whores, and layabout streetpeople, you are asking for trouble.

Some tourists are so STUPID that they deserve to be beaten and ripped off. As Jamaicans wisely observe, "lay down with dog, get up with fleas". Some simpleminded tourists think that politeness requires one to engage in conversation with every tout and higgler that approaches. Fools.

Another thing: I would never DREAM of going to another country without doing some research. I do not count message boards questions about what to bring as research. I've seen idiots in Jamaica who were under the impression that ganja was legal, or that somehow U.S. laws applied there. Terminal stupidity, inexcusable ignorance.

In 27 years of travel to Jamaica, I have not been ripped off even once, nor have I been threatened, and I have wandered about everywhere in Jamaica, often alone. Most Jamaicans, when they see you are not a fool, out to get high or to buy sex, will either leave you alone or treat you with respect. Those disgusting women who go to Jamaica to indulge in some got-her-groove-back fantasy, or to patronize male prostitutes, dreadlocked or otherwise, are pathetic morons at best, and usually human garbage. They are a corrupting blight, and poison everything they touch.

Noamie, I agree with you about Mexico. I love Mexico, but it can be EXTREMELY dangerous. The danger is always there, especially if one leaves the heavily guarded Cancun (yuck) area. Mexico City is a nightmare; beautiful, wonderful, but potentially deadly, and loaded with thieves, from the airport onwards. Jamaica, excepting Kingston and the surrounding corporate area, is a reasonably safe place, even a benign place, in comparison. There are many other places that are very dangerous, in Central and South America, Africa, and some parts of Asia, and the list of dangerous destinations grows longer as the world economy worsens under the related influences of vanishing resources, overpopulation, and hopeless poverty.

Note: Paracme is a college professor and a Specialist/Expert on Cultural Diversity.

Other information:

People travel in order to experience other cultures. People should 'want to' travel to Jamaica to experience its cultures. It is not about changing Jamaica's culture.

To go to Jamaica and experience the culture, is just like going to Japan or China and experiencing their culture.

This site is about bringing that awareness. It is not designed to be fancy.

A little piece of History

Indeed, Jamaica is known for attracting sun seekers to its Beautiful Beaches and warm gentle atmosphere. It is also a country (an island) bless with a rich culture.

Jamaica has its own sets of Unique Culture.

Indeed!

Blending the old and the new:

Yes, Jamaica's diversity is everywhere. That's the difference in a culture so strong, so free that makes the Jamaica's Motto comes alive.

Yes, out of many we are one; we are loving and we are free. ...if only we could get First World people to see that. We welcome them as Tourists, and visitors to our Beautiful island. That is why we sing welcome songs to them when they arrive. We 'sang' farewell to them too..

If one do not want to experience or deal with all this experience of 'uniqueness, ' 'culture,' then there are simply three ways to avoid it.

1). Fly into the respective Tourist area.

2). Once arrived, don't leave the secluded All-inclusive hotel(s) and grounds.

3). Do Jamaica and its people the favor of not coming/going to their Paradise.

They sees nothing wrong in the way the men sits out in the evenings, playing dominoes, as their own social pastime, or their little "uniquely styles cottage homes" along the roadway, often misquoted as 'obscure poverty,' instead, purely Jamaicans own Jamaican 'style' and culture.

Very often "quaintness" is/ gets interpreted as "absolute poverty."

Debunking a Myth:

People often judge Jamaica as being so 'poor' because they compare it to THEIR OWN CULTURE..which is wrong..

For example..in the United States, they don't build in concrete...maybe concrete block..In Jamaica they build in concrete($)...

Does that mean the people in the Jamaica should judge the people in the United States because their houses is not as strong? ...

Very often the Rastafarian lifestyle of living, assumed by Tour groups travelling along the way, in JUTA buses, get misinterpret as: "Jamaican people are very poor."

Know that the Rastafarian cults are people/persons from even "well-to-do" families who choosed to shun the more modern form of lifestyle. Living in harmony with nature is their belief and should be respected; not ostracized. This sect, too, make up (are part of) the rich Jamaican culture. You may not like their "fallacious hair- do"; and they may very well not in favor of your 'bleached hair.' The basis here is to understand the difference, and respect it.

Taking every first time visitor to the island on a "Culture Tour," a city scenic tours, and off the beaten path, and show then the way Most Jamaicans live can become a tool to bringing about more cultural awareness, and less ignorance.

Whose fault is it that visitors are not aware of these wonderful Jamaican Cultural Traits?

The tourist or should I say; the visitor him or herself.

I made this statement as, having travelled most of the world on my own, and long before I became a full time travel consultant, in that, I had never ventured out into a foreign country, before first doing extensive research on that country's cultures as well as what it is offering, compatible to my personality and values. So far, I have never been disappointed.

No travel agents to my knowledge, tried to discourage/deceive any visitors under the above mentioned criteria. Instead, travel agents based on qualifying clients, in general, has within their rights in matching a client to a perspective destination, to let them know that while they are attracted to Jamaica for its Beautiful Beaches and wonderful "SUN" atmosphere, that Jamaica may very well not be the destination for everyone.

Similarly, if a prospective client demonstrated in their consultant, whether through body language, or otherwise, that they do not like Japanese or Chinese people, then sending them on a vacation to either one of these countries would yield only a negative report upon their return.

I can count the number of times that a prospect had walked into my office and wanted to go to Jamaica. Many a times, they will indicated to me either the negative or the positive. My question to them are always;" let me hear what YOU think, and please be honest. After all, this is going to be your vacation, not mine."

I will give my answer to, after my consultation as well as their survey after their vacation in Jamaica. "Norma, Thank You! We had a wonderful time."

There are times when even my clients, with their heartfelt thanks, would brings tears to my eyes.

So go visit Jamaica for its richness of culture. Experience it!; and try to understand, as you visit, that whether you stick to the Beach or the Secluded Cliffside accommodations, know one thing; it is you who seek to know....

Thus, I will say this: "Jamaica is for the experience, savvy,travellers."

If you do not quality based on the writings above, then please do not bother to read any of these pages. It will do you absolutely no good.

Out Of Many Cultures: One People

The Jews In Jamaica

1978: A group of Jews at worship in the Jewish Synagogue on Duke Street, Kingston. At the altar, Mr. Ernest deSouza, acting spiritual leader of Jewsih community in Jamaica, conducts the service. File Photo.

THE ARRIVAL

The Spanish Inquisition was introduced in 1480. At its height during the reign of the devout catholic King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, it was implemented as a result of their desire to make Spain one nation, united under one religion. All non-catholics (mainly Jews and Moors) were therefore termed heretics. They were also known as Marranos, (the Spanish term for 'swine') as well as Moslem 'converts' known as moriscos. The identity of their accusers were rarely revealed to them, and once arrested, the accused were not allowed legal counsel, subjected to unimaginable physical and emotional torture to gain confessions, and their properties were seized and administered first by the Crown and later by the General Inquisitor. By the late 1490s, however, King Manuel I of Portugal decided that Jews must be Christianized. They gathered in groups to leave for locations such as Amsterdam, Hamburg, London, and the lands of the "New World" where they could practise their religion of choice more openly. Jamaica, where Columbus landed in 1494, was one such location. Jews of Portugese-Spanish ancestry first landed on the island some 40 years later in 1530. They made their homes in Spanish Town, then known as St. Jago de la Vega the only operating town on the island at the time. After many years, groups of Jews approached their Spanish governor and requested permission to settle on the island. Permission was duly granted.

JEWISH JAMAICA SPANISH TOWN

For the Jamaican Jews, practise of their religion and recognition of their identity remained a struggle under Spanish rule. Yet, genealogical records show Jews as having managed to live into their eighties and nineties. Jamaica's revered historian Edward Long described the Jews in 17th century Spanish Town thus:

"The Jews here are remarkably healthy and long-lived....I think they owe their good health and longevity, as well as their fertility, to a very sparing use of strong liquors, their early rising, their indulgence on garlic and fish, Mosaic Laws, sugar, chocolate and fast" (as quoted in Arbell, 2000, p. 29).

In addition to a Jewish market and a good number of Jewish shops, the Neveh Shalom Synagogue was established on Spanish Town's Monk Street in 1704. This place of worship largely serviced Jews of Sephardic (Spanish-Portugese) descent and so another synagogue was built in 1796 on Young Street to serve Jews of Ashkenazi (English and German) descent. The two Spanish Town congregations united in 1844. Many families had begun to relocate to Kingston as that town grew in economic and political importance. Today, the site of the Sephardic Synagogue and its adjacent cemetery replete with gravestones featuring names such as Henriques, De Souza, de Pass, Melhado and Nunes, lie largely in ruins, but the Neveh Shalom Institute, a foundation that exists to preserve Jewish Remains in Colonial Jamaica, has plans for its restoration. Archival work is already under way.

In 1655, following the English Conquest, Amsterdam Rabbi Ben Israel visited Lord Protector Cromwell and requested permission for Jews to settle in England (which Cromwell welcomed in the hope that the Jews would bring capital and mercantile knowledge). This implied permission in English colonies, which led to another influx of Jewish settlers to Jamaica from places like Amsterdam. All Jewish settlers had to be naturalized as British citizens and as such they were entitled to own property a right denied to Jews in Medieval Europe.

1984: Ainsley Henriques (right) conducts Solomon deSouza to install him in his seat as President at the annual induction of warden and directors of the Jewish community. File Photo.

JEWISH JAMAICA PORT ROYAL

The Jews, many of whom were merchants and money changers, not planters, flourished in Port Royal. Trade between commercial centres inhabited by Jews such as Amsterdam, the Dutch colonies of Curacao, St. Eustatius and Saba, the Danish St. Thomas, Genoa, Venice, North America, London, Turkey and India was brisk. The ability of Jamaican Jews to speak Spanish also propelled their success in trade with Spanish America. Goods traded included pepper, cocoa, vanilla, pimento, cocoa and sugar. By the 19th century, some Jewish merchant families moved into shipbuilding and construction. (Arbell, 2000, pp. 48-49).

Jamaican Jews were limited by law to ownership of two slaves only, unless they owned plantations, and few did. In addition, they were charged with only using Jewish indentured servants although this restriction was loosely imposed and therefore largely ignored (Arbell, 2000, p. 50). It should be noted, however, that the Jews, having introduced sugar cultivation technology to Brazil in the 1520s, are largely credited with doing the same in Jamaica circa 1530.

Sadly, there is little documentation of Jewish life in Port Royal, but earthquake survivor Edmund Heath's account of the infamous 1692 event, notes the existence of a Jew's street and synagogue which records locate on New Street running parallel to Cannon Street. The Jewish legacy in Port Royal also includes a cemetery at Hunt's Bay (Arbell, 2000, p. 20). During the 17th century it was not unusual to see Jewish families carrying their loved ones by boat across the harbour to be buried (www.jnht.com/kingston/jew_cem/html).

Most Jews who survived the 1692 disaster left Port Royal and joined their brethren in Spanish Town, Kingston, Montego Bay and other locations islandwide. In general, Jews tended to favour major towns, but in Jamaica they spread out all over the island. Ruins of Jewish cemeteries in places as far from Kingston as Savanna-la-Mar, Clarendon and Port Maria testify to this fact.

By 1700, although recognized as second-class citizens as a result of their religion, the Jews, generally prosperous merchants, are noted as having borne the weight of the majority of the island's taxes. It was not until the 1740s after the hearing of numerous petitions, that King George II lifted undue taxation on the community. Less than a century later, Jamaican Jews were given the right to vote and they quickly began to acquire local political power. By 1849 eight of the 47 members were Jewish and that year the Assembly decided not to meet on Yom Kippur. It was the first modern political body to do so (Miami Herald, 1999).

JEWS IN JAMAICA KINGSTON

With the decline of Spanish Town as the seat of government and business, the Jews turned their attention to Kingston towards the middle of the 18th century. The first synagogue is said to have been built in 1744 (Arbell, 2000, p. 29), and perished in the Great Kingston Fire of 1882. Another, an Ashkenazi Synagogue, appeared in 1787.

It too, was subsequently lost in the great Kingston fire of 1882 and replaced in 1887. During the mid-end of the 19th century, groups of Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews came together to found the United Congregation of Israelites and they built their own synagogue on Duke Street. In 1907, however, all synagogues and many other buildings were destroyed by the Great Kingston Earthquake. The Sharei Shalom Synagogue, the United Congregation Synagogue, was rebuilt on Duke Street in concrete instead of brick by Henriques Brothers in 1912. A dramatic sight, standing serenely in white, it is still in use today. Its floor, like that of only a few others in the Western Hemisphere, is made from sand to commemorate the idea that Jews were forced to practise their religion in secret the sand muffles the sound of footsteps and leaves no trace of footprints. Other interesting symbols include the Ark of the Covenant and the two perpetual lights that burn on either side to commemorate the 1921 union between the two different Jamaican congregations, Ashkenazi and Sephardic.

Today, unlike in the past, where services and practice were largely Orthodox, the service is best described as Liberal-Conservatist, parts are read in English although some hymns are sung in Hebrew. "Bendigamos," however, is sung in Spanish. Part of a worldwide Sephardic tradition after meals, in Jamaica the hymn is traditionally on the night of Sukkoth, the holiday that marks the expulsion of the Jews from Spain.

As 2005 approaches the Jewish community is preparing to celebrate 350 years of free religious practice in Jamaica. Today the numbers have dwindled to close to 200

practising Jews. However, that number would be much larger if it were a measure simply of religious bloodlines, as many Jamaicans are descendants of Jews although they do not officially practice Judaism.

The Story I Ain't Buying Anymore:

According to well published history, The Spanish Inquisition was introduced in 1480. At its height during the reign of the devout catholic King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, it was implemented as a result of their desire to make Spain one nation, united under one religion. All non-Catholics (mainly Jews and Moors) were therefore termed heretics. They were also known as Marranos, (the Spanish term for 'swine') as well as Moslem 'converts' known as moriscos.

The identity of their accusers were rarely revealed to them, and once arrested, the accused were not allowed legal counsel, subjected to unimaginable physical and emotional torture to gain confessions, and their properties were seized and administered first by the Crown and later by the General Inquisitor. (I ain't interested in all of that; here's what I want to know)

By the late 1490s, however, King Manuel I of Portugal decided that Jews must be Christianized. They gathered in groups to leave for locations such as Amsterdam, Hamburg, London, and the lands of the "New World" where they could practice their religion of choice more openly.

Jamaica, where Columbus landed in 1494, was one such location. Jews of Portugese-Spanish ancestry first landed on the island some 40 years later in 1530. They made their homes in Spanish Town, then known as St. Jago de la Vega the only operating town on the island at the time. After many years, groups of Jews approached their Spanish governor and requested permission to settle on the island. Permission was duly granted.

(If the dates are correct, then i can easily say, that the Jews i.e., the Moors , (known as moriscos) got to Jamaica first, and were the people who actually discover Jamaica, not Columbus)

Most Jews who survived the 1692 disaster left Port Royal and joined their brethren in Spanish Town, Kingston, Montego Bay and other locations islandwide. In general, Jews tended to favour major towns, but in Jamaica they spread out all over the island. Ruins of Jewish cemeteries in places as far from Kingston as Savanna-la-Mar, Clarendon and Port Maria testify to this fact.

Jews changing their names to English Name:

Stories and more stories coming soon.

A Jamaican interview tells it, just like it was.

Some Research by Paracme

Here is what I can tell you from what I know generally about English/Scottish/Welsh/Irish names.

Johnson and Johnston are definitely English, but there are thousands of Irishmen and Scots with those names.

Johnston is a very common name in Ireland. It is an "imported " name, though, derived from Saxon and other Germanic roots, as is the English language itself. A true Irish/Celtic name meaning "son of John" would be "MacSean". "Mac" means "son of", and the Irish for "John" is "Sean". " O," as in "O'Brian", originally meant grandson, as in grandson of Brian. In the early days, before the English came and changed everything almost 1000 years ago, There were no Johnstons in Ireland. During the past centuries, many English and Scots with that name migrated to Ireland, especially to the Protestant northen counties of Ireland. They eventually became just like any other Irishman through intermarriage, over many centuries, and the name survives. In addition, lots of Irishmen changed their last names, or had them changed for them by the Brits. Some MacShanes actually became Johnstons or Johnsones, or even Johnstones. These are rough translations into English of the Celtic "MacSean", meaning literally "son of John". O'shaunessey is anothe variant from the same root.

Up until recent times, exact spellings were not important, even among aristocrats. Some might spell their name "Brown", and their brothers might spell theirs "Browne". Until the advent of universal literacy and careful records, people were very casual about names, and would change them. Harry Johnson's son Tom might call himself "Tom Harrison". Several centuries ago, names were frozen, for lots of reasons, including a growing population, inheritance disputes, and governmental convenience.. Go to very old cemeteries and you will see variations in surname spellings among closely related people.

I would guess that your ancestor Johnston was very likely from Ireland. It's a common name there, far more common than Johnson, even though its origin is not originally Irish.

Sources: Arbell, M. (2000). The Portugese Jews of Jamaica. Kingston: UWI Press. Curtin, M. (2003). "Historic Kingston churches Some places of worship in the old city of Kingston," in A tapestry of Jamaica The best of Skywritings. Kingston: Creative Communications, Ltd and Oxford: Macmillan Publishers. pp. 93-96. Depass-Scott, R. Spanish and Portugese Jews of Jamaica mid 16th mid 17th century. In Jamaica Journal, 43, p. 91-100. Miami Herald. (1999, September 10). "Jamaica - A dwindling Jewish community celebrates Rosh Hashana." www.jnht.com/kingston/jew_ cem.html, www.sephardim.org/jamgen/BenZviBook.html, www.bibletopics.com/biblestudy/64.htm

Well-known Jamaican Jews:

* Poet Daniel Lopez Laguna, 1635-1730, a survivor of the Inquisition who converted biblical Psalms into poems. A book of these poems, "Espejo Fiel de Vidas," The True Mirror of Life, was published in 1720 and holds the distinction of being the first book to be published in Jamaica under British rule.

* 19th century painter Isaac Mendes Belisario, whose famed "Belisario" prints of Jamaican characters are cultural icons, now featured on a series of Jamaican stamps.

* Newspapermen Jacob and Joshua de Cordova, who founded the "Gleaner" in 1833. Jacob went on to found the city of Waco, Texas.

* Ward Theatre architect Rudolph Henriques, a noted artist whose firm Henriques and Sons was awarded the

commission in a competition. The majestic landmark was built in 1912.

* Jorge Ricardo Isaacs, 1837-1895, author of Maria, considered the "national novel" of Columbia.

* Sir Neville Noel Ashenheim, a member of a family known as legal luminaries, served as Jamaica's first ambassador to Washington, 1960s.

* Richard Stern, the Hon. Ernest Altamont da Costa and Councillor Senator Hon. Eli Matalon, served as Mayors of Kingston in 1896-97, 1925-27 and 1971-73 respectively.

* The Matalon family, known as one of Jamaica's longstanding captains of industry and supporter of the arts.

* The first Jews to settle in North America as a group are said to have landed in New Amsterdam (now New York) in 1654 after having sailed from the northern Brazilian town of Recife via Jamaica. In Jamaica still a Spanish island they were kept under house arrest. They managed to escape and reach New Amsterdam where then Governor Peter Stuyvesant wanted them out. As a result of letters from Jews in Barbados and Holland, they were allowed to stay and they founded the Shearith Israel congregation, one of New York's first. It is slated to celebrate its 350th anniversary in 2004.

More Comments to Share on/about Jamaica:Visitor's Comments

Jamaican People By Annie

I found Jamaicans to be loyal to their word and very respectful. I want to go back to Negril not just for the beauty of it, I want to go back because of the people. I truly enjoyed being around them. Much different than the states. More smiles.

I think the Jamaican people are some of the most Honest

By Belvadear

How true! I have never seen more polite children or friendly, resourceful, gentle, dignified adults. And, as far as smiling faces--yes, Jamaicans do smile back at you when you say hi rather than ignoring you and staring right through you (the proper American way). I plan to take my children to Jamaica not only because it's a beautiful place, but because the people there will, by example, teach them things I don't have a prayer of communicating to them here at "home" (Texas).

Special thanks to the Jamaica Gleaner.

The propriety rights for Jamaica by Columbus' family was recognized in 1508, and thus the inquisition was never enforced in Jamaica. Therefore, when the British captured Jamaica in 1655, there where considerable numbers of "Portugals", "sephardim", and "marranos" already settled in the Island.The British considered them an integral part of the settlement of Jamaica.