President Rafael Trujillo, most people would agree, cannot be considered a tzaddik (righteous person). As dictator of the Dominican Republic from 1930 until his assassination in 1961, Trujillo brought a degree of peace and prosperity to the republic. However, its citizens paid for this with loss of liberties and enforcement through military and repeated terrorist activities.

But if there was one act that might speak for him, whatever the motive, it was to set aside 22,230 acres of land on the northern coast of the island of Hispaniola. It was here in the Caribbean that over 700 Jews, at some point, found a haven. Only about 470 had remained for an extended period.

The agency set up to accomplish this was the Dominican Republic Settlement Association Inc. (DORSA) sponsored by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC).

EASIER SAID THAN DONE

Despite much optimism for the plan, fleshing out a successful agricultural colony proved extremely difficult. Travel, especially from occupied countries, was hampered due to war-time conditions. By 1942, there were only 472 settlers. Although the original objective of the project had been agricultural development, few of the settlers were agriculturists or even inclined toward it. The real tragedy: in the original plan, the Dominican Republic had offered to accept up to 100,000 refugees.

THE SILVER LINING

It is estimated that under the colonization scheme, about 5,000 visas were actually issued. Thus, although the majority never made it to the Dominican Republic, it is possible that the same number nevertheless escaped the Holocaust, to the lasting credit of the Dominican Republic.

THE MOTIVE

This surprising generosity may have been due to Trujillo’s eagerness to have Western nations overlook a massacre of several thousand Haitians in 1937.

Additionally there is evidence that Trujillo may have been motivated by racial bias, despite or because of his own mixed ancestry. Trujillo was also aware of the strong work ethic among Jews.

HESITATION AND LOSS

The U.S. Government did not at first believe that the offer was genuine. It was not until early 1939 that any action was taken when the State Department sent a team of agricultural experts. In the intervening period, many more thousands of Jews lost their lives in Europe. It was not until December of 1939 that DORSA was created.

Recruitment took place in the refugee camps of Europe, mostly in Switzerland and Luxembourg. Mrs. Berson, an emigré from Vienna describes the experience: “My husband and I were in the camp for one year. We lived well but we knew Switzerland was not safe. One day Mr. Trone [the recruiter] came in and interviewed us. We said ‘the Dominican Republic? What is that?...” Mr. Brock, living in a camp in Luxembourg echoed her sentiments and added “of course, I signed up for it. I signed up for every offer that came along. But we never thought that we would really go.”

It was not until May of 1940 that 37 Jews arrived—almost two years after the Evian Conference.

LIFE IN SOSUA

Settlers were preoccupied with efforts to adjust to a warm, rural environment and to become self-sufficient. The land was not that fertile and had poor drainage. Tomatoes, the first crop chosen, proved unattractive to the locals. The colony appeared to be disintegrating. James Rosenberg, head of DORSA, refused to let the experiment die. He said, “Half of the world lives now under the shadow of war, persecution, horror and death...Now an open door of hope beckons...we must carry this endeavor to accomplishment...”

DORSA then imported experts from kibbutzim in Palestine to teach communal agriculture. They helped build a communal meat processing plant.

The settlers drew on their personal resources. Dr. Rieger, who had some training in chemistry, recalled how his grandmother had made cheese. He hit upon a suitable formula and Sosua began manufacturing cheese which was sold all over the island.

Mr. Wiggin, a druggist from Berlin, made ointments and medications for the clinic, which was staffed by two “settler” doctors and a nurse. The tailor and shoe maker were much in demand as few came with more than what they had on their backs. Mr. Heim, who had been a teacher, became the principal of the school—a job he held for 35 years.

There were difficulties on the social level as well. Conflicts arose due to different origins. The main split was between those of East European origin and those of German and Austrian backgrounds.

There was an extreme gender imbalance with a young male majority. This caused a pressure either to seek partners among Dominicans or, for those dedicated to seeking a Jewish mate, to migrate to the U.S.

By 1944, Sosua fortunes turned. Communcal agriculture was abandoned and settlers received private plots. Coops were created to process and market meat, butter and cheese.

Today, only 30 of the original Jewish families remain in Sosua. Until 1980, the town was entirely Jewish. With the opening of the Puerto Plata airport, the village has turned into a major beach resort.

There are two synagogues, one in Santo Domingo and the other in Sosua. A rabbi divides his time between them. A Sunday school is attended by 15–20 children and a chapter of the International Council of Jewish Women is active. The community publishes Shalom, a bimonthly magazine.

Perhaps the most telling symbol of Sosua’s struggle is in its small Jewish Museum. The caption on an exhibit reads “Sosua, a community born of pain and nurtured in love must, in the final analysis, represent the ultimate Triumph of Life.”