Jewish and Brazilian Connections to New York, India, and Ecology: A Collection of Essays

By Ann Helen Wainer

New York City is an eclectic melting pot of people in search of opportunities for a better life. It has one of the largest and most important Jewish communities in America. Surprisingly, most people are unaware of this communitys origins. Where did the first immigrants come from? These immigrants laid the foundation for what is today the Jewish community of New York.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Oct 19, 2012
• ISBN: 9781475944112

Ann Helen Wainer

Rabbi Daniel Kahane is a graduate from Georgetown Law School and Princeton University, where he received the religion departmental award in Jewish studies, as well as a Certificate in the subject. He also attended Yeshiva University and Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Besides from working full-time as an attorney, Rabbi Kahane teaches weekly classes at Chabad of Aventura, FL. Mrs. Wainer is a prolific author, having published several works regarding Judaism and Jewish history, as well as Brazilian law and history. Her titles include: "Jewish and Brazilian Connections to New York, India, and Ecology," "Family Portrait; A Jewish Perspective on Ecology;" "Civil Liability of the Developer;" and "Brazilian Environmental Legislation." Ann Helen earned a master’s degree in corporate law in Brazil, and an MA in religious studies at Florida International University. She gives lectures and university classes, exploring the links between Judaism and Brazil.

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Copyright © 2012 by Ann Helen Wainer.

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ISBN: 978-1-4759-4410-5 (sc)

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iUniverse rev. date: 1/07/2013

Contents

Introductory Words

The Brazilian Origins of New York’s Jews

The Jewish Contribution to the India Sea Route Discovery

Reflections on Ecology from a Jewish Perspective

To my husband Raul Wainer, for sharing with me a life journey.

To my mother Iliana Cooper and my father, Michael Abraham Cooper, z’l, who led our family in immigrating to NYC. His brave journey is a source of inspiration to me and all future generations.

To my dear brother, Dr. Daniel Mark Cooper and family.

To my children and their spouses, Danielle and Daniel Kahane, David and Hanith Danino Wainer, and to my grandchildren: Jacob Michael, Olivia Claire, Benjamin Aaron, and Ariella Esther Kahane. May G-d guard and bless you always with health and energy, joy and happiness, peace and sustenance, law and justice. May you live and be surrounded by good people, true friends and a meaningful community. May you be a strong link in the transmission of our Jewish roots and also serve as shining examples for all to follow.

The author would be very grateful for comments, suggestions or corrections sent to her e-mail address:

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Introductory Words

Over the past decades, through tireless research and countless lectures, Ann Helen Wainer has disseminated ideas and historical analysis that stand at the very foundation of Jewish identity and culture. In the essays contained in this book, finally available in the English language, Wainer recaptures truly amazing details regarding the invaluable contribution of Jews to both Western and Eastern civilizations. Furthermore, the author shows how Jewish values serve as an important foundation for even the most contemporary debates, such as how we should go about protecting the environment.

I highly recommend this work to all those interested in further understanding the adventure that is Jewish history, as well as the Divine wisdom that the Jews have received and perfected over the ages. As the reader will soon find out, these two subjects are inextricably linked and represent the true reason for the Jewish people’s survival and success against all odds and in the face of such enormous adversity.

Rabbi Daniel Kahane

12 of Av, 5772

The Brazilian Origins of

New York’s Jews

I—Introduction

New York City is an eclectic melting pot of people in search of opportunities for a better life. It has one of the largest and most important Jewish communities in America. Surprisingly, most people are unaware of this community’s origins. The first Jews to arrive in New York came from Recife, Brazil. Even though they were a group of only twenty-three, their contribution was immeasurable. Wherever they went, they left a mark of their influential presence.

In Recife, Brazil, they founded Kahal Zur Israel, the first synagogue of the New World, recently renovated by the Safra Foundation. In 1654, when they arrived in New York, then known as New Amsterdam, they founded Shearith Israel, the first Jewish congregation in North America. These Jewish pioneers had to fight to establish houses of worship, schools, and cemeteries in a time when they had no freedom of religion. During this arduous process, they had a tremendous influence in the battle for equal rights. Today, the achievements of these Jews represent a victory for people of all faiths.

The story of these twenty-three Jewish founders also reflects the possibility of accomplishing successful endeavors regardless of the difficulties encountered along the way. It is truly a miracle that they were able to escape to New York at a time when there was strong anti-Semitism in Portugal and a war between Portugal and Holland. They faced great financial hardships when they were expelled from Brazil. After arriving