English Speaking Community Members Report. September 2, 2106

KSI Book Club Members and Friend invited to the West Indian Museum of Panama for a book Presentation and Lunch.

On Wednesday, August 17, 2016 the KSI Jewish Literature Book Club: Living as a Jew in the Caribbean and Latin America members were privileged to be hosted by the members of the West Indian Museum of panama, Society De Amigos Museo Afroantillano De Panama (SAMAAP) at their delightful building at the intersection s of corner Calle 24 Esta and Avenida Justo Arosemena, directly across the street from the Cinco de Mayo Metro Station.

This meeting was the third of a series of meetings between two communities in Panama who want to share their stories with the younger members of their community and preserve their heritage so others will know and appreciate their history in this country.

 The West Indian Museum of Panama which was originally the Christian Mission Church (founded in 1910)

Upon arriving at the Museum guests were warmly greeted by Museum leaders and a corps of young men and women who were our docents.  Interestingly enough a 2006 graduate of Isaac Rabin School was present, Carolina Borrero Arias. She was part of a team that produced the docudrama Historias Del Canal that recounts to visitors the story of the lives of West Indian workers when building the Canal.

Movie producer and Isaac Rabin School graduate Carolina Borrero Arias in front of exhibit: Historias Del Canal

The Museum is chock full of many historical items from the time of the building of the Canal, photos and family documents, clothing as well examples of the very simple living conditions of the men who but the Canal and their wives who joined them.

Included in the well maintained exhibits were charts showing the numbers of those who journeyed to Panama and their country of origin, along with personal papers and correspondence.  

Book Club member Michaelle Beauzile surrounded by Museum Member Arcelio H. Hartley and Book Club guest David Sykes

SAMAAP Founding President and Current Treasurer Melva Lowe de Goodin assisting speaker Olive Senior as she autographs copies of her book

All 50 chairs for the presentation for Jamaican historian and author Olive Senior’s presentation on her book: Dying to Better Themselves: West Indians and the Building of the Panama Canal were filled by guests with great anticipation.

 SAMAAP President Dr. Veronica D. Foote welcoming visitors to the Museum and Program

Book Club and Museum Members listen intently to the speaker including invited Book Club guest, Dr. Ward Schinke, Associate Professor, Political Science, Riverside Community College, Riverside, California

Jews of Jamaican origin are mentioned in the book with references to: Isaac Brandon and Company, S.B. Delvalle and Company and there is even a Yom Kippur notice one year in the Star and Herald noting the celebration of the holiday in Colon, announcing the presence of well-known Jamaican Jews: Charles Alberga, Mr. Martinez, Michael Delevante, David Lindo and Isaac Symons.  Additionally, the Clement and Henriques family are mentioned in the book and in particular Jamaican brothers Rudolph, Emanuel, Horace, Owen and Fabian and what would eventually become the Henriques Brothers Construction Company back in Jamaica.

 KSI Book Club member Graciela Cardoze shows off her autographed book!

Following the presentation and an extensive question and session those in attendance were treated to a delicious lunch.

Submitted by Robert Jacobvitz

Roberf.jacobvitz@sbcglobal.net