Celebrating the High Holy Days in every corner of the world
From Jamaica to Uganda and beyond, small Jewish communities keep the High Holy Days alive with boundless hospitality and warmth. Jessica Abelsohn explores how.
Currently, there are around 8.2 billion people in the world. And just 15.8 million of us Jews. That puts us at approximately 0.2 per cent of the global population.
While most of us are concentrated in Israel and Western countries
such as the USA, France, Canada and Australia, there are still Jewish populations in more than 100 countries around the world. Yet, no matter how small the community, each and every one finds a way to celebrate the chaggim, especially the High Holy Days.
For the community in Jamaica, Rabbi Yaakov Raskin and his wife Mushkee are there to ensure that every Jew has a home, and a way to practise their Judaism.
“Our goal is simple: to be a one-stop for everything Jewish on the island, and to spread acts of goodness and kindness to everyone, Jew and non-Jew alike,” Rabbi Raskin told The AJN.
“When we arrived over kosher food and explanations for those who require them. And having visitors is always special.
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