Jewish-Indonesian
Encyclopedia
The history of the Jews in Indonesia commences with the arrival of early European explorers and settlers. Jews in Indonesia
presently form a very small Jewish community of about 20 Jews, of mostly Sephardi Jews
.
was the first to write about the Jewish community in the Dutch East Indies
, after visiting Batavia
. In Batavia, he had spoken with a local Jew, who had told him of about 20 Jewish families in the city; and several more in Surabaya
and Semarang
. Most of the Jews living in the Dutch East Indies in the 19th century were Dutch Jews
, who worked as merchants or were affiliated with the colonial regime. However, some members of the Jewish community were immigrants from Iraq
or Aden
.
Between the two World Wars, the number of Jews in the Dutch East Indies was estimated at 2,000 by Israel Cohen. Indonesian Jews suffered greatly under the Japanese Occupation of Indonesia
, but were treated as other non asian populations living in occupied territories. They were interned and forced to work in labor camps. After the war, the released Jews found themselves without their previous property, and many emigrated to the United States
, Australia
or Israel
.
By the late 1960s, it had been estimated that there were 20 Jews living in Jakarta
, 25 more living in Surabaya and others living in Manado
.
is estimated at 20.
that facilitated the extraordinary economic, political, and social success of the Indonesian Jewish community also contributed to assimilation
.
Intermarriage rates rose from roughly 55% in 1944 to approximately 90%-99% in 2004. Intermarried couples raise their children with a local religious upbringing. However, it is much more common for intermarried families to raise their children as just culturally Indonesian.
For identity, the government issues ID cards called KTP (Kartu Tanda Penduduk). Every citizen over the age of 17 must carry a KTP. Listed on the identity card is the holder's religion. Indonesia only recognizes six religions: Islam, Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism. Judaism and other religions are not recognized by the Indonesian government.
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
presently form a very small Jewish community of about 20 Jews, of mostly Sephardi Jews
Sephardi Jews
Sephardi Jews is a general term referring to the descendants of the Jews who lived in the Iberian Peninsula before their expulsion in the Spanish Inquisition. It can also refer to those who use a Sephardic style of liturgy or would otherwise define themselves in terms of the Jewish customs and...
.
History
In the 1850s, Jewish traveller Jacob SaphirJacob Saphir
Jacob Saphir was a Meshulach and traveler of Rumanian descent, born in Oshmyany, government of Wilna.While still a boy he went to Palestine with his parents, who settled at Safed, and at their death in 1836 he moved to Jerusalem...
was the first to write about the Jewish community in the Dutch East Indies
Dutch East Indies
The Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Netherlands government in 1800....
, after visiting Batavia
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
. In Batavia, he had spoken with a local Jew, who had told him of about 20 Jewish families in the city; and several more in Surabaya
Surabaya
Surabaya is Indonesia's second-largest city with a population of over 2.7 million , and the capital of the province of East Java...
and Semarang
Semarang
- Economy :The western part of the city is home to many industrial parks and factories. The port of Semarang is located on the north coast and it is the main shipping port for the province of Central Java. Many small manufacturers are located in Semarang, producing goods such as textiles,...
. Most of the Jews living in the Dutch East Indies in the 19th century were Dutch Jews
History of the Jews in the Netherlands
Most history of the Jews in the Netherlands was generated between the end of the 16th century and World War II.The area now known as the Netherlands was once part of the Spanish Empire but in 1581, the northern Dutch provinces declared independence...
, who worked as merchants or were affiliated with the colonial regime. However, some members of the Jewish community were immigrants from Iraq
History of the Jews in Iraq
The history of the Jews in Iraq is documented from the time of the Babylonian captivity c. 586 BCE. Iraqi Jews constitute one of the world's oldest and most historically significant Jewish communities....
or Aden
History of the Jews in Aden
The Jews of Aden are those Jews who were born in, or whose recent ancestors lived, in Aden, on the southern tip of the Arabian peninsula, bordering in Hadramaut—akin to Biblical Chatzar-Mavet. Aden is a seaport on the Red Sea, previously belonging to Great Britain. The Jews here must have been...
.
Between the two World Wars, the number of Jews in the Dutch East Indies was estimated at 2,000 by Israel Cohen. Indonesian Jews suffered greatly under the Japanese Occupation of Indonesia
Japanese Occupation of Indonesia
The Japanese Empire occupied Indonesia, known then as the Dutch East Indies, during World War II from March 1942 until after the end of War in 1945...
, but were treated as other non asian populations living in occupied territories. They were interned and forced to work in labor camps. After the war, the released Jews found themselves without their previous property, and many emigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 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...
or Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
.
By the late 1960s, it had been estimated that there were 20 Jews living in Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
, 25 more living in Surabaya and others living in Manado
Manado
Manado is the capital of the North Sulawesi province of Indonesia. Manado is located at the Bay of Manado, and is surrounded by a mountainous area. The city has about 405,715 inhabitants, making it the second-largest city in Sulawesi after Makassar...
.
Population
The total Jewish population of Indonesia according to the World Jewish CongressWorld Jewish Congress
The World Jewish Congress was founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in August 1936 as an international federation of Jewish communities and organizations...
is estimated at 20.
Assimilation and population changes
The same social and cultural characteristics of IndonesiaIndonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
that facilitated the extraordinary economic, political, and social success of the Indonesian Jewish community also contributed to assimilation
Cultural assimilation
Cultural assimilation is a socio-political response to demographic multi-ethnicity that supports or promotes the assimilation of ethnic minorities into the dominant culture. The term assimilation is often used with regard to immigrants and various ethnic groups who have settled in a new land. New...
.
Intermarriage rates rose from roughly 55% in 1944 to approximately 90%-99% in 2004. Intermarried couples raise their children with a local religious upbringing. However, it is much more common for intermarried families to raise their children as just culturally Indonesian.
For identity, the government issues ID cards called KTP (Kartu Tanda Penduduk). Every citizen over the age of 17 must carry a KTP. Listed on the identity card is the holder's religion. Indonesia only recognizes six religions: Islam, Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism. Judaism and other religions are not recognized by the Indonesian government.
See also
- Jew
- Yapto SoerjosoemarnoYapto SoerjosoemarnoYapto Soerjosoemarno, full name KRT. Yapto Soelistyo Soerjosoemarno, S.H, is an Indonesian politician. He was born December 16, 1949, in Surakarta, Central Java....
, prominent Indonesian politician who has a Dutch-Jewish mother. - Ahmad DhaniAhmad DhaniDhani Ahmad Prasetyo , better known as Ahmad Dhani or Dhani Manaf, is an Indonesian rock musician, songwriter, arranger, and producer. Described as a "rock star", Dhani is the frontman of Dewa 19 and Ahmad Band, and also a member of inter-continental band The Rock...
, famous Indonesian musician whose Grandfather is a German Jew. - List of Asian Jews
- Secular Jewish cultureSecular Jewish cultureSecular Jewish culture embraces several related phenomena; above all, it is the international culture of secular communities of Jewish people, but it can also include the cultural contributions of individuals who identify as secular Jews...
- Model minorityModel minorityModel minority refers to a minority ethnic, racial, or religious group whose members achieve a higher degree of success than the population average. It is most commonly used to label one ethnic minority higher achieving than another ethnic minority...
- Highly successful minority ethnic groups
External links
- Beth Hatefutsoth - The Jewish Community of Indonesia
- The Jews of Surabaya
- "In a Sliver of Indonesia, a Public Embrace of Judaism" , The New York Times