The 500-year history of Jamaica’s Jews began officially in 1655 when the first Jamaican Jews, Sephardim from Portugal and Spain, fled the Inquisition in Europe. In the 1700s, there existed up to seven synagogues in Jamaica, and, just as in the American South, Jews would come to serve as prominent and influential members of Jamaican society. Through her dedicated preservation work on the island’s Jewish cemeteries, Marina Delfos Harris has become a respected voice in the field of Jewish Jamaican genealogical research. Marina joined us for an in-depth conversation about this little-known history and its connections to the American South.  You can learn more about Marina's work and support Jamaican Jewish History by following the links below Jamaican Jewish Cemeteries Preservation Fund - https://www.jjcpf.orgUnited Congregation of Israelites - https://www.facebook.com/ucijamaica. Jewish Jamaican Journeys - https://www.facebook.com/JewishJamaicanJourneys Jamaican Jewish Cemeteries Preservation Fund (JJCPF) -https://www.facebook.com/jamaicanjewishcemeterypreservationfund   Sit a Spell: Virtual Southern Summer Series is a free online lecture series exploring the three lesser-known Southern Jewish stories and historical figures. Kick back in the comfort of your own home, relax with a lemonade or sweet tea, and learn at your leisure!