1 option
Jews in Thailand / Ruth Gerson & Stephen Mallinger.
LIBRA DS135.T54 G47 2011
Available from offsite location
- Format:
- Book
- Author/Creator:
- Gerson, Ruth, 1943-
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- Jews--Thailand--History.
- Jews.
- History.
- Thailand.
- Physical Description:
- 201 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm
- Place of Publication:
- Bangkok : River ; Woodbridge : ACC Distribution [distributor], 2011.
- Summary:
- The first Jews arrived in Ayutthaya in the early 17th century, most likely for the purpose of trade. They were not as prominent as some of the other foreigners who frequented this magnificent city, but in time they left their mark on Thailand in subtle ways. Some of the Jews who arrived in Siam two centuries later had colorful occupations such as wigmaker, gunsmith, creator of stage backdrops for the theater, and innkeepers. More conventional professions included merchants, lawyers, doctors, and gem dealers, a trade for which they have become known in Thailand. Several the Jewish residents were "ground breakers" in that they helped to establish such significant institutions as the Thai stock market.
- The Jews were not a homogenous group; they represented two ethnic groups one originating in Europe (Ashkenazie), the other in the Middle East (Sephardi). These, differences aside, they established a Jewish community in Thailand that continues to thrive to the present day, and although small in number they managed to maintain their customs and religion, exemplifying the Jewish Diaspora. Book jacket.
- Contents:
- Earliest references 12
- The first resident Jewish families 30
- The era leading to World War II and the war years 43
- The post war years 69
- Laying the foundations of a formal community 83
- The establishment of the Jewish Association of Thailand 96
- The synagogues and mikveh, the ritual bath 103
- The Rabbis 113
- Other Jewish institutions 128
- Israel's role in Thailand 145
- Arrival of Chabad and permanent Rabbi in Thailand 159
- The history of the author's family: The Gersons 167.
- Notes:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 196-201).
- ISBN:
- 9786169089506
- 6169089504
- OCLC:
- 751805112
The Penn Libraries is committed to describing library materials using current, accurate, and responsible language. If you discover outdated or inaccurate language, please fill out this feedback form to report it and suggest alternative language.