Many Malaysians and for that matter Penangites, do not know the existence of this cemetery or the fact that there was once a Jewish community in Penang.
The Penang Jews consisted mainly of Oriental Jews, the majority of whom were Baghdadi Jews (from Baghdad, Iraq) as well as European and Central Asian Jews and a handful of Chinese Jews, yes Chinese Jews, from Kaifeng. The Kaifeng Jews fled their Chinese homeland mainly during the Communist take over of mainland China in 1949.
The first known Jew to settle in Penang was believed to have been Ezekiel Menasseh who migrated from Baghdad in 1800s. Menasseh remained the only Jew in British Malaya for 30 years, and he continued to observe Jewish holidays. After World War I, more Jews began to settle in Malaya. Then during World War II, the Jewish community was evacuated by the British military to Singapore, fearing Japanese imprisonment and ill-treatment. By 1963, only 20 Jewish families remained in Malaysia including former RTM orchestra conductor Gus Styne.
Penang's only synagogue closed down in 1976 because it "could no longer muster the requisite 10 male above the age of 12 needed to perform religious ceremonies".
The descendants of Penang Jews can be found in Singapore (such as ex late Chief Minister David Marshall, a Baghdadi Jew), in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States.
The Jewish Cemetery in Penang is believed to be the oldest single Jewish cemetery in Malaysia, if not South-East Asia. The oldest tombstone is dated 1805 and the most recent being 1976, that of a teacher's college lecturer.
It is the only cemetery established solely for the once small and thriving Jewish community although there may be a few Jewish graves in other non-Jewish cemeteries such as the Protestant cemetery (Farquhar Street) and the Catholic cemetery (Kelawai Road).
The Jewish cemetery in Penang also has one of the largest number of Jewish graves interned in one specific area, numbering 70 graves. The cemetery is well-kept and clean compared to most other cemeteries in Penang.
41 comments:
Kuda Ranggi
Thank you for the information. I didnt know the world got Chinese Jews.... interesting. I have heard Burmese Jews from malaysiakini way back last year, if not mistaken.
Wonder these Chinese Jews gotten flat nose like most HongKong Chinese... or Malaysia Pudu-mali Chinese.
U said..."The cemetery is well-kept and clean compared to most other cemeteries in Penang."
- i've always been intrigued by the fact the the most unkempt of all cemeteries seem to be the Muslim's. Everywhere you go either in the Kampung or the city Muslim cemeteries are haphazard, cluttered and a real mess.
However, I must qualify that among others, the Masjid Negara (pusara pahlawan), Kiara, Putrajaya and Shah Alam Sect 21 cemeteries are well kept with manicured garden.
The much touted Jalan Ampang Muslim cemetery is another haphazard mess.
Its not only in Penang, but elsewhere also that I find that non-Muslim cemeteries are well kept, with well tended gardens etc i.e. the Nirwana in Nilai.
Perhaps Muslims should give some thought to this.
The Kaifeng Jews of China were most probably from the Central Asian region where you can find non-Han people. No, not Pudu-mali, Jinjang-mali or Puchong mali la!
Mokozomo, how true!
I tend to agree with Samurai, most Muslim cemeteries are in a sorry state of affairs. It is the responsibility of the various state religious authorities. It seems to me that they are more interested in other "worldly affairs".
Your excellent posting on "The Penag Jews" was reposted on News Compass,at http://newscompass.blogspot.com/2007/03/malaysia-jewish-cemetery-preserved-in.html an international news webblog catering for a wider international readership.
Shalom!
I am surprised you 'failed to understand' why the authorities changed the name.
Yeah, yeah, what harm can a name like Jalan Jahudi do, right?
But then again, many of our supposedly-wise and learned people (religious leaders) even consider banning the CNY-Hari Raya & Deepavali-Hari Raya joint open houses for certain (misguided and moronic) reasons and therefore, a road name like 'Jalan Jahudi' will definitely not survive. Sad.
Given the choice, I'm sure the local authorities will even want to get rid of the cemetery!
It's sad to think that those religious morons (whose words are taken seriously by the hapless, God-fearing equally-moronic rakyat) eat, drink and wear things that could've been bought from Tesco, drive European cars, use medications developed by countries like the US, Europeans and (shock, horror) Israel!
I was with The Malay Mail for some years and I wrote about the Jewish kubur in Penang (it was published either in 2002 or 2003, I can't remember).
- AZLAN.
(Hey, can anyone tell me more about the community of Zoroasters we have here in Malaysia?).
I checked with the NST archives just now. My article about the Jewish cemetery in Penang appeared in The Malay Mail, January 18th, 2003.
- AZLAN.
Pak Tuan Syed Imran,
That was a good take on Penang Jews. Something which most of us do not know until your posting increase our knowledge. An even more interesting fact it that former Singapore CM was a descendant of Penang Jews! That was interesting. And that once-upon-a-time bog guy in RTM Gus Styne. These are interesting information and A Big Thank You for you to impart with us this information.
While on the same subject, when are you going to tell us about "The Jew From Penang?" You know what i mean, yeah? Has he qualified in every characteristic to be called such, huh? You are a fine man and someone with above average intelligent and i am quite sure you can figure out what i am talking about. Yeah, you got it right -- The Jew From Penang and His Jews Family. Ala, macam tak tau pulak?
I maybe not as intelligent as you are Pak Tuan Syed Imran but i think i could figure out where this posting should be and want to be be heading -- either sideways, upwards or downwards. Pick one and please tell us more about this Jew From Penang and His Jews Family. I will be an idiot had i not see this coming, yeah? You D Man!
Melayu From Negara Antah Berantah
No, there will be no further write up about it simply because I can't trace one.
But, I will be posting about the story of a family which migrated from Guandong (Kwantung), China to Penang. The family of Pak Hassan Kontong.
Sir, I am glad to know that you are going to write more articles similar to this one. I love this piece and look forward to reading more about our ancestral history.
The rest of the Jew community in Malaysia must be accepted (if any by every single Malaysians. This is our true color. Islam always endorsed peaceful-coexistence and prophet SAW (pbuh) encourage us to do good deed irrespective our neighbor's religion.
I knew David Marshall a Jew but have no idea he from Penang's Jewish community.
So, any Jew please forward, you're Malaysian by the way.
To mohd khairul anwar,
It's good that you feel that way. Unfortunately, it shall remain a liberal's dream, for now. You must be too young and/or naive to understand.
I am not a Jew, in case you are wondering. Just a Melayu.
You see, most of the rakyat (so-called 'Muslim' Malays, to be precise) are not ready for what you suggested. The Chinese, Indians and 'others' have no problems with it, I'm sure.
But if I'm a Jew in Malaysia, I'd rather maintain that fake identity my family had developed and guarded years ago and remain hidden.
I don't see much good in coming out in the open about it. After decades of indoctrination, brain-washing and anti-Semitism propaganda by our politicians onto the rakyat, no way a Jew in Malaysia will admit who he or she is.
A majority of the (so-called Muslim) Malays in our country still think that Jews are their enemies that should be killed on sight. Sad, isn't it, since that is not what being a Muslim is about. At the same time, it's hard to blame them 100% since their minds have been conditioned to it (all that brain-washing since primary school).
It's the same with the years of propaganda in some countries that teach their people (through schools, media, movie, etc) that Arabs, Muslims, turbans and beards are bad for national security = terrorists.
And if I am quite a well-to-do Jew and things get pretty 'hot' in Malaysia (business, personal safety and such), I might as well migrate elsewhere, to countries with solid Jewish community or Jewish-friendly states and seek their help. I know they will accommodate me.
Still, I am sincerely glad to know there are people like you out there. I'm sure there are many, but not enough, unfortunately.
Until then, the Malaysian Jews shall assume 'safe' identities.
Shalom.
- AZLAN.
Hello, I m a native Malaysian Malay and I m new here. By the way, even today in the modern western civilization, the world is rule by Jews via by the USA.
So why we, Malay Muslim hate the Jews so much? We must be sure that everyday we live in lifestyle like the USA, and everyday we watch hollywood USA. All of these are controlled mostly by Jews.
We, mostly who so-called Malay Muslim are people who accept all religions and races. In fact, mostly we Malay Muslim even hate the Arab Gulf people (in Arabian peninsula) and call them Wahabi, the reason = different opinion about Islam. Actually the wahabi is more knowledgeble in Islam that most of other region of Muslim world.
Instead, we brought our ustaz and ustazah to Al-Azhar University in Egypt which are full of bidaah (religious wrongdoings). So who are more knowledgeble in Islam, the Egyptian Muslim or the Gulf Arab Muslim? The saddest part, we Malay Muslim even hate each other for lame reason = he or she have more advantage and pleasantry in his or her life.
Hopefully, we as the Malay Muslim must know that the Jews are the People of the Book (Ahli Kitab). Also, the Malay Muslim must be more openly minded to the whole race, even the Jews for next time.
To mohd imran kamil,
Either your eyesight is failing you or my English isn't simple enough for you to understand.
All those things about people of the book, Al-Azhar, bidaah, idiots as ustaz and ustazah, Gulf Arab Muslims, Egyptian Muslims and so on are old news. Everybody knows that already (I suspect you are very young).
Read my posting right before your's and you will find the answer(s) to your question(s).
If you still don't get it, too bad.
To anonymous,
As a Muslim, I know what I m doing and it is you who don't get it. Although I m young but I m keep getting wiser and wiser and better and better by each passing years.
Hehe, by post this comment. You have broke my heart further. Congratulation. But be warned that what you do will have its consequences.
Remember this forever in your mind anonymous, its okay if I don't have any friends for now. To me, most people who have lot of friends are mostly unhappy and boastful and it is nothing to proud of in my view. But I can bet I can collect more than 10 billion friends.
Remember anonymous, I m very very patient of what people say bad things about me. If you are so brave to talk bad things to me anonymous, why don't you put your real name each time you publish a comment?
You see, before 2001, I was very very smiling and cheerful person. But now I m depressed and sad. But its okay, to me, everybody can be defeated in their lifetime, even the most invincible and successful can eventually taste defeat.
Last thing, everybody has the rights to voice their opinion even if it is the same opinion. Hehe, let me talk this to you back, if you still don't get it, hehe, too bad.
mohd imran kamil, my name is azlan ramli.
Pls, don't change the subject and talk rubbish here - 10 billion friends and all that crap. I was talking about the Jews in Malaysia. It's the reality, whereas you were rambling like a moron. You probably are.
Go on smiling. Nobody asked you to frown.
Dear Bro Mohd Imran Kamil and Bro Azlan Ramli, thank you for your comments, which are much appreciated. But, it is becoming a bit personal. Can we stop here?
Thank you for your kind cooperation.
Salam alaikum,
The Penang Jews are an interesting topics for me because my descendants are there from Penang, the truth to be tell is whether my descendant is a Penang Jews or just a Penangites (Penang-mali).
I make this assumption because my mom said to me that her descendant are from Penang and this is the start of my assumption.
Certainly I can't guarantee you that this is an absolute truth if I m a descendant of Penang Jews or just a Penangites.
This is because my family has a lot of decendant from Siak, Bugis, Minangkabau, Portuguese (maybe) and Indian. But its true, my descendant is from Penang.
Hehehe emh emh emh.... maybe next time I'll go check my blood to know which descendant I m from, hehe.
Even though I m a Malay by ethnicity. My family are somewhat weird. The whole of my family faces and skin colour are too different... MashaAllah.
salam, some people can't differentiate between zionist and normal jew, that is why i think they hate jews as a whole.
Thank you so much for this snippet of information.. I am most intrigued, as my mother inlaw's father is buried at the Penang jewish cemetary. It is her 80th birthday next year and I was was wondering if anyone can supply me with a photograph of her father's gravestone? I only know his last name which is Raphael. She has never seen her father's grave and has expressed a wish to do so and as she is of such an old age and unable to travel [she lives in England] could someone help me make this dream a possibility?
my email is deb67ivy@yahoo.co.uk
Thank you.
This msg is for the moron that started off his comment with Kuda Ranggi. Well listen here arsehole, why are you being so racist should i say by physically judging the chinese? What does that say about u? Can i assume that you must be Malay then? and that all malays are barely touching the feet of the chinese in smartness and many many other factors? And if you're Indian, can i say that all indians are drunkards and good for nothing? I cant? and I do not say it is so. coz i am not racist like you to label and stereotype any race. But pls bear in mind your own misgivings before stereotyping like that.
Uneducated moron!
Salam/Shalom
What a suprise. This is the blog that discuss about Jews in Penang. I already know this matter since a few years ago. Actually the are many Jews in Diaspora scattered around the world, at Malaysia itself, at Indonesia, Singapore, and you can read it at www.kulanu.org and other websites (just type the lost ten tribes at Yahoo).
Just call me Zev. I'm Malay, 29 years old. Very interest in Judaism. Had many books related to Judaism, bought from Amazon.com. I can read Hebrew by myself and I can also read Torah in Hebrew letters.
I want know Azlan personally if he read this comment, please email me at pikachu_macho@yahoo.com
To Anonymous or Azlan or whatever,
I observe your comments towards mohd imran kamil. I would like to make a comment on that. I think for young person like mohd imran kamil to make a comment like that, only shows he thinks like an adult and I praise him for that. Regarding your comment towards him, I find it down right rude and nasty. I suggest if you have any nasty comments about the other members here, keep it to your self and don't hurt other people's feelings.
Azlan ramli or whatsoever. Plz make sure that u r well and nice. B'coz u r a Muslim and u should treat other people well, especially mr imran kamil. He done nothing wrong. If u truly hate him, then it is u who r so wrong just because he said the right thing. Am i right?
i wonder why we hate jews so much, not all jews are evils. There are jews who love peace too. and i dont mind we live with jews who are against war and certainly jews who love war are no no not welcome here,
about the chinese jewish it is not a surprise thing they are known as you tai in jewish and it is said that they came from central asia where they are a lot of jewish people live there
to syed imran, azlan,zev and others,
Shalom/Peace!
Stumbled on this site and its comments by accident and was pleasantly surprised to read them. I am one of the People of the Book,a seed of Abraham,our father of faith.
It is really good to read that you all exhort acceptance of each other as Malaysians whether we are this or that, even Jews!That is not to speak disparagingly of them,but as some of you noted, if I were one I might feel safer hidden under another label.
I feel a sense of brotherhood again on reading the above,like that I felt on March 8.
to syed imran, azlan,zev and others,
Shalom/Peace!
Stumbled on this site and its comments by accident and was pleasantly surprised to read them. I am one of the People of the Book,a seed of Abraham,our father of faith.
It is really good to read that you all exhort acceptance of each other as Malaysians whether we are this or that, even Jews!That is not to speak disparagingly of them,but as some of you noted, if I were one I might feel safer hidden under another label.
I feel a sense of brotherhood again on reading the above,like that I felt on March 8.
why dont the jews just get out of my country. they are all the same. they were coming to this country for some reasons. i know that every country where they live, they will try control the country gradually. for further information, you all should watch the the revival
walau apa pun, kita telah dinasihatkan dari ayat al-quran, kalau tak silap dari surah al-maidah, harap di beri petunjuk supaya perbetulkan nama surah jika saya salah, ianya ditafsir begini
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Hai orang-orang yang beriman hendaklah kamu jadi orang-orang yang selalu menegakkan (kebenaran) karena Allah, menjadi saksi dengan adil. Dan janganlah sekali-kali kebencianmu terhadap sesuatu kaum, mendorong kamu untuk berlaku tidak adil. Berlaku adillah, karena adil itu lebih dekat kepada takwa. Dan bertakwalah kepada Allah, sesungguhnya Allah Maha Mengetahui apa yang kamu kerjakan.
Al Maidah ayat 8
Allah berfirman di dalam al-Quran dan apabila menyentuh mengenai Yahudi maka Allah menyebutnya sebagai Yahudi. Maka jangan kita nak memandai-mandai dan bersikap acuh tak acuh.
Saya tak perlu tunjukkan ayat mana surah mana. Bukalah al-Quran sendiri dan lihat betapa murkanya Allah terhadap orang-orang Yahudi. Terang-terang Allah sebut Yahudi!!
Kita tidak perlu berpura-pura hanya untuk menjaga perasaan Yahudi dan bangsa-bangsa senasib Yahudi seperti orang-orang Cina di Malaysia.
Yahudi dari sejak dari dahulukala. Mereka menyesatkan umat manusia dan membunuh para Nabi.
Jangan sekali-kali terpedaya dengan Yahudi.
Salaam aleykum!
The 'Yahudi Road' was changed to 'Jalan Zainal Abidin' (Am I right?) just because they would like to erase the existence of Jewish ancestry in Malaysia, primarily in the Peninsular Malaysia. I just don't know why, us Malaysians should be so anti-Jews (I wouldn't like to use the anti-Semitic word, as Arabs are also fall into this category). Some use the Quranic verses LITERALLY just to isolate this group! WHY? The enemy of Muslims are people who cast them away from their houses, beacuse of their belief and so on. And there is a verse in Quran saying that there were still a few of the People of the Book who submitted themselves to Allah. I guess, our real enemies here are Zionist Jews and literally ZIONISTS! whether they are ARABS, MUSLIMS (oh yes, there are Zionist Muslims in Arab WORLD, thank you) Xtian and whosoever they are. I was kinda browsing for kippah on the net. Amazon.com and ebay were so expensive because of the foreign exchange so i was looking for singaporean Judaica store and perhaps Malaysian Judaica store and I found this blog. Jews shouldn't be blotted out from this world and Muslims shouldn't cast out JEWS because of whatever beliefs that they are adhered to. There are Muslim converts who are from the Jewish ancestry, so are you going to kill them? Are they the 'enemies' of Allah? Tell me. The most prominent Muslim convert from the Jewish ancestry is Yusuf Cohen (on the internet) and he was a RABBI or a student Rabbi before if I am not mistaken (Rabbi=Ulama=Ustad for people who don't know about it). If Muslims keep thinking (mostly MALAYSIANS WHO I LOVE SO MUCH)this way, no wonder other Muslims in the overseas could change their belief just because of our ignorance. Most of the Jews I know, whether they are religious or secular are good, even Zionists. Yet of course I ever being insulted by them because of my belief but just be patient. Well hey, I guess I am not the follower of this blog, by the way, people who wish to comment or give reply to my comment can easily reach me at my own page in Facebook. We could share our minds openly!
agreed with MM. The real enemy is the zionist not the jews...When i was studying abroad, I knew a couple of jews who are anti-zionists...
Di sana la kau silap!!!
Dalam al-quran cakap pasal yahudi yg zaman dahulu kala. time arab pn 2x5 ja jahil sma jew.
anyway, if not because of them, nadala teladan yang dapat dipelajari.. plus, org yg byk buat silap tu dpt belajar daripada kesilapannya. itu la zaman skng dorang xda buat mistake mcm dulu2 suda. itu la bisnes dorang maju, inda mcm kita asyik kena tipu ja.
well, This is the 1st time.. I found an Article about PRO Yahudi in malaysia.. hahaha.. I Love it..
I read alot bout jews, the baghdadi, kaifeng, and some bout japanese jews, the burmese I dont know pula.. Just knw it when I read the comments..
Dear Brother Azlan.. can u tell me bout the decendents of the Pashtun. I know there are label as terrorist, taliban..etc.. but there are more about them I that wish to know..
Their are 1 of the lost tribe of israel. As all pashtun, their will told that to their children.
tQ and no heart feeling too you all. I am a muslim growing up in a minority muslim town. The christian never treat me bad. Kerana salah tafsir, ini la padah nya..
Spread love like violence.. not the otherway around..
I am not surprised about jews in penang. we are all over the world just like you find malay people in South Africa. I , for one a chinese jew from Sarawak, Malaysia but we keep that a secret. We all are created by God. We may not follow Judahism here cos" we are too few and never bother to find out who are jewish decendants and moreover we remain silent about our existence but move forward to the new testament since Jesus is too a Jew and a son of the living God. we have to understand that a zebra which has 2 colors ,black/white and you cannot say , shoot @ the black spot and avoid the white spot. Either way it will kill the zebra. So in this world we are living let us share what we have for peace and to build a better world for a better tomorrow. May i wish you all " Shalom "
I am not surprised about jews in penang. we are all over the world just like you find malay people in South Africa. I , for one a chinese jew from Sarawak, Malaysia but we keep that a secret. We all are created by God. We may not follow Judahism here cos" we are too few and never bother to find out who are jewish decendants and moreover we remain silent about our existence but move forward to the new testament since Jesus is too a Jew and a son of the living God. we have to understand that a zebra which has 2 colors ,black/white and you cannot say , shoot @ the black spot and avoid the white spot. Either way it will kill the zebra. So in this world we are living let us share what we have for peace and to build a better world for a better tomorrow. May i wish you all " Shalom "
I am wondering???? who took care of the Jews Cemetery???
As an Israeli I'm appalled to read that a street named Jahudi Road was changed,that is blatant racism.
That cemetery is part of your heritage,how could you discard your heritage in such an off hand way.
Sad.
Well like you said, it is ours so it is our god given rights to do whatever we like.
I don't see any racial remarks just because the Malaysian Government decided to change the name of a road from Jalan Jahudi (Jahudi Rd) to Jalan Zainal Abidin (Zainal Abidin Rd)...It is our country and it is our bloody rights to give a name to our roads as we pleased!
We don't need any foreign entity to teach us what to do in naming our roads...we are not that stupid.
The jews should be grateful that during the WW2 jews are allowed to live here under Malaysian protection...we do not persecute you like you Zionist prick did with the Palestinians. We don't chase you our from your homes during your occupancy in Malaysia..is there any record of such event? zero, nadda, zip!
Just because we change the name of our road some of you dare to call us racist??? Do we need to ask for YOUR permission first before naming a road WITHIN our country??
hello Oliver :)
r u jewish? i love to learn bout jewish. can i know about you? im from sarawak too..
(1) I grew up in Penang & we had a school mate who was Jewish. (2) There was also a doctor who had a clinic in the Beach St area who was supposed to be Jewish too. He was Dr. Morgan. (3) I doubt David Marshall's ancestors came from Penang. I believe they came directly from Iraq.
I grew up in Jalan Jahudi presently known as Jalan Zainal Abidin. As far as I could remember the right address was 14 Jalan Zainal Abidin.
I lived there when I was between 8 - 12 years old.
(1985 - 1989)
It was the area of government quarters which was now called as Taman Manggis flats.
Just infront of my house there used to be a small Chinese groceries stall and perm parlour shop.
I remember when I just knew about Judaism, my curious about their religion/culture are so strong.
One day, after schooling hour, I rushed to the playground ( a small compound field right in front of the cemetery and told all my friends about them (Judaism), pointing to that cemetery that it was an evil nation.
From that moment onward, i used to tricks the caretaker whom were Hindu where i could enter inside.
I used to kick the ball towards the inner part of the cemetery.
Then I pretend to take the ball which I had kicked.
But the caretaker warn me not to come inside. It seems like the caretaker dislike my actions.
I did it several times but failed to enter because of the caretaker was probably aware about my actions.
..Good day 'Azlan', I lived there from about 1985 TO end of 1989..the street named was changed just soon about the time I coming there..so, its about circa 1985/1986... [Jalan Jahudi to Jalan Zainal Abidin)...
At that time.. there were quarters..streching along that street..
..I wish that I could meet my old Muslims friend that lived with me...at that time...
...cheers...be cool 😆
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