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72

LEWIS ERIC LACHTER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

There also is the Abdullah Shook-
er senior citizens home.
Then there are the "transit"
Jews who live in the Lion City
(be sure to see the two giant li-
ons that guard the harbor).
These Jews are mostly West-
erners whose companies sent
them to Singapore on a short-
term basis. Many of these Jews
belong to a chavurah, and orga-
nize Shabbat dinners and holi-
day services.
The third group of Jews is
made up of about 200 Israelis
who live and work in the country.
Israel and Singapore have had a
longtime relationship, most of it
good. The current peace negotia-
tions in the Middle East have
helped alleviate some minor fric-
tion.
At its height, prior to
PHOTO BY LOU LACHTER
World War II, the Jew-
ish population totalled
about 3,000. When the
Japanese army started
to move in the direction
of Singapore, most of
the Jews left. Many
went to England.
Things to see and do
in hot, humid Singapore
are plentiful. (Bring
light clothes, but be
ready for heavy rain
showers.)
You can visit the non-
active Chesed El syna-
gogue. The grand
building's architecture
is a mixture of styles in-
cluding Greek and Pal-
ladium.
On the edge of Chi-
natown (over 70 percent
s show the
of the population in the
Most of these Jews be- Statue
stron g Chinese
country is Chinese) is
long to the one active syna-
influ ence in
Street,
Synagogue
gogue, Maghain Aboth,
Sin gapore.
where the first shul in
built in 1878. The colo-
niaVtropical building still has the the country was located. Not far
fans of old, but air conditioning off is Solomon Street, named af- <
has been added. The widely sep- ter an early settler, Abraham
arated seats (to keep body heat Solomon.
North of Synagogue Street, but
to a minimum) are made of wick-
er, and the arch.over the ark has on the other side of the river, is
an Eastern flavor. The old shul the Supreme Court building. This
was the site of stockbroker Nis-
has nearly 40 Torahs.
Services are held morning and sim Adis's land and his Grand
evening every day. A majority of Hotel de L'Europe.
Non-Jewish sights include the <
the congregants had a relation-
ship with Singapore before World Jurong Bird Park. There are over
4,000 multi-plummaged, multi-
War II.
These Jews work primarily in shaped birds. A highlight of the
the fashion industry, jewelry or park is the walk-in aviary which
optics. Most of them are finan- has a 98-foot-high waterfall.
Zoo fans will enjoy the Zoolog-
cially well off.
All official Jewish functions on ical Gardens and especially the
the island are coordinated by the Night Safari. This is billed as the
Jewish Welfare Board. These in- world's first nighttime zoo. Take
clude community classes, cele- the open-sided electric tram 45-
brations and meetings held at minute tour which operates from
Reuben Manasseh Meyer Hall. 7:30 p.m. to midnight. But follow

S

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Singapore Is Safe,
But Be Careful

E JEWISH NEWS (810) 354-6060

ingapore. It's safe... day
and night. It's clean beyond
belief. You can eat the food
and drink the water any-
where.
Just don't break any laws. And
don't criticize the government.
Jews have lived in the is-
land/country since 1830. By 1841,
the Jewish population had in-
creased to 22 18 males and four
females. Today there are about
700 Jews living alongside the Chi-
nese, Malay and Indian people.
The "permanent" Jewish pop-
ulation now numbers about 300.
They are primarily of Sephardic
descent and consider themselves
Orthodox. Local custom permits
transportation to the synagogue
on Saturday by rickshaw or tr-
ishaw (two passengers).

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