Synagogue Shaarei Zion, San Jose, Costa Rica

There are only 14 million Jews in the world; 7 million in the Americas, 5 million in Asia, 2 million in Europe and100,000 in Africa.  It is common knowledge that Jesus of Nazareth was Jewish. Albert Einstein, the most influential scientist of all time and TIME magazine’s ‘Person of the Century’, was a Jew.  Sigmund Freud did ego, and superego — the father of psychoanalysis was a Jew. So were Karl Marx, Paul Samuelson and Milton Friedman.

In case you don’t know Costa Rica has a Jewish population. Around the time of World War II many Jews immigrated to Costa Rica. Originally most worked in agriculture but they soon became involved in a variety of business endeavors. Now they own banks, automobile agencies, shoe store chains, department stores and many other successful businesses.  Many Jews are renowned professionals like architects, lawyers, doctors and dentists to name a few. They have also played a prominent role in the country’s political scene. As you can see Jewish people have contributed to making Costa Rica the great country that it is today. Visit http://www.centroisraelita.com/centro_israelita_informacion_visitantes_eng.htm for more information.

If you are Jewish and thinking of retirement in Costa Rica you should have no problem making friends and fitting in here. There is a synagogue  where you can worship and meet people of the same faith. If you have children there is even a Jewish school. Costa Rica has religious freedom and most other religions are represented here as well as having their own houses of worship.