Sosúa exhibition highlights Jewish refugees’ arrival and legacy in the Dominican Republic

Sosua, Puerto Plata.- In a collaborative effort, the Dominican Resistance Memorial Museum (MMRD) and the Jewish Museum of Sosúa have launched the temporary exhibition “The Arrival of the Jews to Sosúa” to promote cultural awareness and community engagement. The exhibition recounts the unique story of Jewish refugees who arrived in the Dominican Republic in 1941, fleeing Nazi persecution during World War II. Notably, the Dominican Republic was the only nation to openly welcome Jewish refugees at that time.

The exhibition’s opening ceremony, held in the gardens of the Jewish Museum of Sosúa, featured prominent attendees, including Israeli Ambassador Raslan Abu Rukun, Sosúa Mayor Willy Olivences, and local leaders. Organized by Ivonne Strauss, director of the Jewish Museum, and Luisa De Peña Díaz, founding director of the MMRD, the event highlighted the refugees’ integration into Sosúa’s community, where they contributed significantly to commerce and local development.

As part of the MMRD’s “The Museum Moves” program, the exhibition aims to educate Dominicans, particularly students, about this historical chapter of resilience and solidarity. Ivonne Strauss emphasized the museum’s mission to preserve and share this legacy, announcing ongoing efforts to renovate the museum and expand its role as a hub for cultural and historical education. The exhibition is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the El Batey area of Sosúa.