Born to converso parents in Portugal, he became the first rabbi to serve in the Americas, leading Kahal Zur Israel in Recife, Brazil. Returning to Amsterdam, he led its community for decades and dedicated the Esnoga in 1675.
חכם יצחק אבוהב די פונסיקה
Hakham of Amsterdam and first rabbi in the Americas · 1605–1693
Born to converso parents in Portugal, he became the first rabbi to serve in the Americas, leading Kahal Zur Israel in Recife, Brazil. Returning to Amsterdam, he led its community for decades and dedicated the Esnoga in 1675.
