From 1864 to 1870, the biggest war in South American territory was fought between Paraguay on one side, and Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay on the other. It went down in history as the War of the Triple Alliance, and it altered the geopolitics of the region, with significant consequences for Paraguay. Besides the economic and structural devastations that the war caused, the human cost was high, and the Paraguayan population was decimated.

Fig. 1: B.C. (g), according to Mynseen´s sketch. Guerra de América del Sur. Combate de la estancia Asunción, cerca de Mbutuy, el 26 de junio de 1865, entre una división paraguaya y dos brigadas brasileñas del ejército riograndense. Engraving on metal, 17,5cm x 13cm., L´Ilustration, Paris. Imagoteca

As a result of this war, the Paraguayan government, assisted by the Hungarian Colonel Heinrich von Morgenstern de Wisner, found a solution that would help with the reconstruction of the country. Assigned as the immigration minister for the Republic of Paraguay, Morgenstern devised a plan that consisted of attracting foreigners and offering them land deals in such a way that they would settle down and become farmers of the fertile land that the country had to offer.[1] That is how, years after the War of the Triple Alliance, Paraguay became the destination for many foreigners who were looking for a place to settle.

In this way, Jewish immigration to Paraguay started slowly in the first decade of the 20th century. As tensions in Europe soared in the first two decades of the century, a new immigration wave carried 1616 foreigners to Paraguay, many of whom were Jews who were being persecuted in Eastern European pogroms.[2] In 1926, a law that assisted immigrants upon their arrival was enacted, with assistance that included lodging for the first eight days and medical services.[3] However, this same law restricted who had and who did not have preference in the immigration process (i.e., deaf, and disabled people).[4]

Furthering this invitation to migrate to Paraguay, on March 15, 1927, the Jewish Daily Bulletin from New York reported that the Paraguayan and Peruvian States welcomed Jewish immigration. The message from the Paraguayan government read as follows:

“The Government of Paraguay is animated by the kindliest sentiments toward all able-bodied persons coming into the country and willing to work in order to succeed. I am enabled to assure you that the Jewish people having given abundant proof that the race has a capacity for work and an enthusiasm for progress, immigrants of this race will be well received in Paraguay.”[5]

Following this welcoming atmosphere, the first two decades of the 20th century saw a bloom in Jewish immigration, and thus, cultural, and social life. Organizations and institutions started flourishing in Asunción and other cities. To name a few: the Unión Israelita (Israeli Union) in 1915, the Asociación de Damas Israelitas (Israeli Ladies Association) in late 1915-early 1916, and the Unión Hebraica (Hebraic Union) in 1925 [6]. Similarly, Jewish schools for children were founded to teach them to read and write in Yiddish. All these organizations and institutions promoted educational, cultural, and social activities among members of the Jewish community in Paraguay.