Because of the uniqueness of their history and culture, all Jews have a strong sense of identity. Persecution of and discrimination against the Jews have been the historical reasons for their migrations and settlements around the world.


Persecution is another reason for emigrating, and that is the story of most of the Jews whose families are now settled in Trinidad. In the late 1930s, European Jews were fleeing, often with no known destination. The British controlled Trinidad, and they had no visa requirements. For that reason, many of the Jews settled in this tiny country just off the coast of South America. They soon spoke English as a trade language and set up roots.


They arrived with no money, but what they offered was professional qualifications. In the years to come, they established themselves as doctors, businessmen, lawyers, jewelers, etc. People sometimes resented Jewish businessmen undercutting local businesses. During WWII, Jews were detained as "enemy aliens." Most of them left Trinidad after WWII ended.

There are very few English-speaking Jewish people in Trinidad and Tobago today. The ones who remain are in business.

For religious Jews, God is the Supreme Being, the Creator of the universe, and the ultimate judge of human affairs. Beyond this, the religious beliefs of the Jewish communities vary greatly. Orthodox Jews generally follow the traditional religious beliefs and practices found in the Jewish literature that interprets Scripture regarding ethical, religious, civil, and criminal matters.


Reform Jews do not believe that the Jewish Law is divinely revealed. They are not restricted to kosher foods. They neither wear the skullcap (yarmulke) when praying nor use Hebrew in prayer. All religious Jews believe in the coming of a Messianic Age, but only the Orthodox Jews look for a personal Messiah.

Jewish people have a wonderful understanding of their connection with the Abrahamic Covenant. However, they also have a history of rejecting Jesus Christ as Messiah, the one who has fulfilled that covenant. They tend to view Christianity as the religion of their oppressors rather than the fulfillment of what God promised all of humanity through Abraham centuries ago.

* Scripture Prayers for the Jew, English-speaking in Trinidad and Tobago.

Pray for the Lord to give the Jewish people’s hearts that want to please him. May they look to the Lord for guidance and truth, and not be satisfied with cultural traditions.


Pray for Jewish people to begin a movement to Jesus Christ, finding ways to exalt him while honoring their culture.


Pray for the Lord to move among Jewish leaders to open the doors to Christ’s ambassadors.