History of the Jews in Fiji
Encyclopedia
The history of the Jews in Fiji is intertwined with the settlement of the Fiji
islands by European explorers and settlers.
Henry Mark, at the age of 20, was the first Jew to settle in Fiji in 1881. Mark was originally a native of Australia
and instituted an extensive commercial enterprise throughout the region. Mark would later be joined by Jews from India
, the Middle East
, and other localities in Asia.
There are currently three cemeteries in Fiji, located in Momi (private cemetery), Ovalau Island
(Levuka), and Suva (old cemetery) with Jewish inscriptions on the tombstones, dating back to the first Jewish settlers in the 19th century.
Nearly all of the sixty people of Jewish descent living in the Fiji Islands reside in the capital city of Suva
.
is a group of islands, scattered in the Pacific Ocean
. It encompasses 332 islands, which expands over 18,000 sq. km. Today, the population of Fiji is 905,949 (July 2006 estimate) of which 48% are Fijian (natives), 45% Indians (Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians), and the remainder are of various ethnicities and nationalities with approximately 60 Jews.
, which accommodates 50 to 60 people. Kosher food is imported from Australia.
Israel and Fiji enjoy full diplomatic relations
. In May 2002, the then Fiji Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase
, agreed with the Israeli Ambassador, H. E. Ruth Kahanoff that the two countries should strengthen their ties though they are so far apart geographically. While there is an Israeli Embassy in Fiji, the Israeli Ambassador in Canberra
, Australia
represents Israeli interests in Fiji.
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
islands by European explorers and settlers.
Henry Mark, at the age of 20, was the first Jew to settle in Fiji in 1881. Mark was originally a native of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and instituted an extensive commercial enterprise throughout the region. Mark would later be joined by Jews from India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, and other localities in Asia.
There are currently three cemeteries in Fiji, located in Momi (private cemetery), Ovalau Island
Ovalau Island
Ovalau Island may refer to* Ovalau , an island in Tonga* Ovalau , an island in Fiji...
(Levuka), and Suva (old cemetery) with Jewish inscriptions on the tombstones, dating back to the first Jewish settlers in the 19th century.
Nearly all of the sixty people of Jewish descent living in the Fiji Islands reside in the capital city of Suva
Suva
Suva features a tropical rainforest climate under the Koppen climate classification. The city sees a copious amount of precipitation during the course of the year. Suva averages 3,000 mm of precipitation annually with its driest month, July averaging 125 mm of rain per year. In fact,...
.
Background
FijiFiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
is a group of islands, scattered in the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
. It encompasses 332 islands, which expands over 18,000 sq. km. Today, the population of Fiji is 905,949 (July 2006 estimate) of which 48% are Fijian (natives), 45% Indians (Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians), and the remainder are of various ethnicities and nationalities with approximately 60 Jews.
Present
Until the recent establishment of the Fiji Jewish Association there was little organized activity among the Jewish population. There remains limited religious life among these Jews; however, the Israeli Embassy does hold an annual Passover SederPassover Seder
The Passover Seder is a Jewish ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover. It is conducted on the evenings of the 14th day of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar, and on the 15th by traditionally observant Jews living outside Israel. This corresponds to late March or April in...
, which accommodates 50 to 60 people. Kosher food is imported from Australia.
Israel and Fiji enjoy full diplomatic relations
Foreign relations of Israel
The foreign relations of Israel refers to diplomatic relations and international agreements between the State of Israel and other countries around the world. Israel joined the United Nations on May 11, 1949. Israel has diplomatic relations with 157 states...
. In May 2002, the then Fiji Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase
Laisenia Qarase
Laisenia Qarase is a Fijian political figure. He served as the sixth Prime Minister of Fiji from 2000 to 2006. After the military quashed the coup that led to the removal of Mahendra Chaudhry, Qarase joined the Interim Military Government as a financial adviser on 9 June 2000, until his appointment...
, agreed with the Israeli Ambassador, H. E. Ruth Kahanoff that the two countries should strengthen their ties though they are so far apart geographically. While there is an Israeli Embassy in Fiji, the Israeli Ambassador in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
represents Israeli interests in Fiji.
External links
- http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vjw/fiji.html The Virtual Jewish History Tour - Fiji Islands