he current permanent Jewish community numbers close to
300, most of whom are affluent, and quite a few of whom are prominent, leading
figures in the business and legal professions here. Most originate from Iraq.
The next largest group is from eastern Europe. Both were refugees from
murderous regimes. Some of them did not come directly to Singapore, but settled
originally in Malaysia and then moved to Singapore when it appeared more
attractive both for financial reasons, and because Malaysia is a Muslim nation.
Singapore society and the Singapore government are fully tolerant of the Jews in their midst. Perhaps "tolerant" is too condescending a word. Singapore is sensitive to the observances and needs of all religious and ethnic groups, Jews being one very small minority. No restrictions are placed on Jews and there is no discrimination of which I'm aware. In fact, the first prime minister of Singapore while it was still under Malaysian control was Mr. David Marshall (who is still alive, in his early 80's, and still quite active as a lawyer here), who is a Jew from an Iraqi family. The major entertainment promoters in southeast Asia are a Jewish family from Singapore. They arranged Michael Jackson's recent Dangerous tour in this part of the world, as well as many other prominent rock stars. This is also a family that originated in Iraq. The largest diamond cutting house and retailer in southeast Asia is owned by a Romanian Jewish family that fled to Singapore decades ago. The prominent examples abound.
As for religious observance and community life, there is one synagogue: orthodox, Sephardic, and very beautiful, situated in center city (in the midst of the endless kilometers of shopping malls). There is also a Jewish community center which is used for communal gatherings and celebrations that should be held outside the synagogue. The synagogue is quite active, with services every day, major services every Shabbat, and on all holidays. There is a Sunday school run at the community center for youngsters. The rabbi of the synagogue is usually an imported Israeli orthodox rabbi, with the appointments lasting several years.
Kosher food per se is not available in Singapore. Special services such as a "mohel" (for ritual circumcisions) are imported from Australia. When meals are held at the synagogue, the food is either kept vegetarian, or kosher meat is imported from Australia. From personal experience, I can attest to the beauty and good spirit at celebrations on Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukot and Chanukah (we arrived here in July). I hope soon we'll be able to report on Purim and Pesach too.
There are two other Jewish communities in Singapore. One is a non-Israeli expatriate group from countries like the USA, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and South Africa. They tend to keep to themselves, hold their own observances in the reform Judaism traditions, and have little to do with the permanent Jewish community or with the Israelis here. The expatriates usually are stationed here by their overseas businesses for periods of from 1-10 years. I am uncertain of their numbers, but I would estimate it to be in the dozens of families.
Finally there is the Israeli community, which numbers about 70. Roughly 20% work for the Israeli embassy here. About 5% are Israeli university faculty members on sabbatical (like myself). The rest work for Israeli weapons firms and are involved in large military contracts with the Singapore military and Singapore government. The Israelis generate their own social life in a very closely-knit, closed group, and have nothing to do with either the Jewish expatriates or with the permanent Jewish community here, although some of them do show up at the synagogue on Jewish holidays. Most are on assignment for periods of 1-3 years.
Due to a my work (and my wife's work) being with Singaporeans, and due to our nature and outlook, our social life has not revolved around the Israeli community, but rather has been far more involved with native Singaporeans (ethnic Chinese and Indian). We've learned a great deal about this remarkable nation during our short time here, and have enjoyed immensely the friendships we have developed with native Singaporeans. Just for some background information, Singapore is approximately 80% ethnic Chinese, 15% ethnic Malay, and 5% ethnic Indian.
I hope that provides some perspective on the Jewish situation here. Feel free to ask specific queries.
