the Jewish community noticed the possible threat of being the only group in Jamaica without voting rights. Thus, the Jews decided to fight for their right through petitions to the English government. They attained full political rights in 1831. The status of British citizenship enabled ownership of property by the Jews. This victory proved to be significant not just for the Jews of Jamaica but also elsewhere. In 1832, Jews in London used the victory in Jamaica as reasoning for their own rights to such freedoms. That same year in Canada, a similar story unfolded as Jews were granted same political rights as their Christian counterparts. Jamaica's Jewish population was never large. However, their contribution to the economic and commercial life of the nation has been significant. Modern times Only 506 people are religiously practicing Jews in Jamaica and most Jews have migrated out of Jamaica. While many are non-practicing, it is recorded that over 2,000 Jamaicans religiously identify as Jews. Common Jewish surnames in Jamaica with mostly Portuguese origin are Abrahams, Alexander, Andrade, Barrett, Babb, Bent, Carvalho, Codner, D'Aguilar, DeCosta, De La Roche, Da Silva, De Souza, De Cohen, De Leon, Delisser, DeMercado, Eben, Fuertado, Henriques, Ibanez, Isaacs, Levy, Lindo, Lyon, Machado, Marish, Matalon, Mendes, Myers, Magnus, Nunes, Pimentel, Rodriques, Sangster. Some of these surnames were then made to sound more English, in order to 'blend' with the newly arrived British. An example would be De La Roche being changed to Roach(e) and Eben /Ibanez changed to Ebanks. The Chabad-Lubavitch movement opened a branch in Jamaica in 2014 servicing locals as well as a welcome centre for international visitors. Institutions The Shaare Shalom Synagogue in Kingston, first built in 1885, was the only synagogue in the country until 2014 when Chabad opened the second synagogue in Montego Bay. The congregation has its own siddur, blending together Spanish-Portuguese tradition and British Liberal and American Reform liturgy. The Hillel Academy, a private school founded by the Jewish community, today is non-denominational but still serves as a meeting place for the children of the Jewish community. A Jamaican Jewish Heritage Center opened in 2006 in celebration of 350 years of Jews living in Jamaica. At least 21 Jewish cemeteries also exist in the country. Notable people with Jamaican Jewish ancestry Ivan Barrow - test cricketer Harry Belafonte - American singer, songwriter and actor (Jewish grandfather) Chris Blackwell - record label founder and