The Jewish Community Museum of Sosúa (Calle Dr. Alejo Martínez, tel. 809/571-1386, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and 2–4 p.m., US$3) stands next to the synagogue of Sosúa. Inside you’ll see exhibits on the story of the Jewish immigration and influence on the Dominican Republic. Trujillo had hoped that by inviting the Jewish families to immigrate and work on a plantation (few were actually farmers) he could convince the world he was not the anti-Semitic, ruthless dictator he truly was.

Trujillo was a self-promoter and the act was simply a marketing ploy. Few Jewish families stayed more than a few years, but in the time that they were here they began a successful meat and dairy industry that survives to this day and is collectively referred to as Productos Sosúa. It is known to be the finest in the country.

In the museum you’ll see a chronology of the lives of the Jewish settlers during their time in the Dominican Republic. It is a well-maintained museum whose signs are in English and Spanish, and it’s worth a stop to learn about the unique history of Sosúa.