The Jewish community in Haiti

Those who hoped to enter the United States were given affidavits, but would have to wait until their numbers were called. Some were able to secure passage to Haiti and traveled there on Visa's to stay until they were able to enter the US.

Given shots and tips on how to survive in the tropics, they eventually learned to settle into Haitian life. Most found themselves entered into the middle class and the children were schooled and quickly learned French. There was a booming community developing among the arriving Jews and they soon became referred to as 'Austrians', as most were discovered to be from Austria.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), who gave assistance to the Jews, marks the start of Haiti's 'small, yet critical' assistance as 1938. The initial role was to have been as a temporary home for those waiting to enter the US, however, some stayed. These Jews were given additional financial support by the JRC (Joint Relief Committee).

The true picture of the immigration of Jews into Haiti remains blurred because of the varying accounts of procedure and criteria. Initially, asylum was given to those who possessed $100. That then changed to $1000 plus a permit. But there are other accounts of higher prices, up to $5000. However high the cost paid to get in, by the 1970's, only 25% remained to live in Haiti, regardless of the economic drawbacks and harsh politics.

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