About Us
This website, www.jewsofjamaica.org, is the information distribution platform and online home for the United Congregation of Israelites, Jamaica's Jewish community.
Payments of any kind made on this site are made to this entity, organized as a charitable non-profit under the laws of Jamaica:
The United Congregation of Israelites
92 Duke Street, Kingston, Jamaica
876.922.5931
Please scroll down for our Privacy, Refunds, and Terms and Conditions policies.
Privacy Policy
Effective Date: 20 March 2026
Version 1.0
1. Introduction
The United Congregation of Israelites (hereinafter referred to as "we", "us", or "the Organisation") is a non-profit organisation incorporated and operating in Jamaica. We are committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of our donors, supporters, volunteers, website visitors, and any other individuals whose personal data we process.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data in accordance with the Data Protection Act, 2020 of Jamaica ("the Act") and the data protection standards issued by the Office of the Information Commissioner ("OIC").
By interacting with us — whether through our website, events, donation processes, or communications — you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
2. Who We Are — Data Controller
For the purposes of the Data Protection Act, 2020, the United Congregation of Israelites is the data controller responsible for your personal data. Our details are as follows:
Organisation Name: United Congregation of Israelites
Registered Address: 92 Duke Street, Kingston, Jamaica
Telephone: 876.922.5931
Email: shaareshalomja@gmail.com
Website: www.jewsofjamaica.org
Data Protection Officer / Responsible Individual: Douglas Reid and succeeding Presidents of the U.C.I.
Name: Douglas Reid
Email: douglasandrewreid@gmail.com, shaareshalomja@gmail.com
We are pending registration as a data controller with the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC). Our registration reference number will be provided on completion.
3. Personal Data We Collect
We collect and process only the personal data that is necessary, relevant, and adequate for the purposes described in this Policy. The categories of personal data we collect include:
3.1 Names and Contact Information
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Full name
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Postal address
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Email address
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Telephone number(s)
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Any other contact details you voluntarily provide to us
3.2 Donation and Financial Information
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Donation amounts and frequency
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Payment method type (e.g. credit/debit card, bank transfer)
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Transaction reference numbers
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Records of Gift Aid or tax-receipt requests, where applicable
We do not collect full payment card details directly. Any payment processing is conducted through secure, third-party payment processors who are independently responsible for the security of your financial data.
3.3 Automatically Collected Website Data
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain technical data, including:
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IP address
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Browser type and version
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Pages visited and time spent on our website
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Referring website address
This data is collected through cookies and similar technologies. Please refer to Section 10 (Cookies) for further details.
4. How We Collect Personal Data
We collect personal data through the following means:
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Directly from you when you make a donation, sign up for our newsletter, register for an event, contact us, or otherwise communicate with us
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Through our website, including online donation forms and contact forms
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Through social media platforms when you interact with our official pages
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From third-party payment processors who facilitate your donations
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Through correspondence with you by post, telephone, or email
5. How and Why We Use Your Personal Data
We process your personal data only where we have a lawful basis to do so under the Data Protection Act, 2020. The purposes for which we process your data, together with our lawful basis for each, are set out below:
5.1 To Process Donations
We process your name, contact information, and financial details in order to receive and acknowledge your donation, issue receipts, maintain accurate financial records, and comply with our legal and regulatory obligations. The lawful basis for this processing is the performance of a transaction to which you are a party, compliance with a legal obligation, and, where applicable, your consent.
5.2 To Communicate With You
We use your contact information to respond to enquiries, send acknowledgements, provide updates about our programmes and activities, and keep you informed about matters relevant to your support of the Organisation. The lawful basis is your consent and our legitimate interest in maintaining our relationship with supporters.
5.3 To Send Newsletters and Fundraising Appeals
With your consent, we may send you newsletters, impact reports, fundraising appeals, and information about events or campaigns. You may withdraw your consent and opt out at any time by contacting us at [Email Address] or by clicking the unsubscribe link in any marketing email.
5.4 To Comply With Legal Obligations
We may process your personal data where we are required to do so by applicable Jamaican law, including financial reporting obligations, tax compliance, and responding to lawful requests from public authorities.
5.5 To Improve Our Website and Services
We use automatically collected website data to analyse how visitors use our website, improve our content and user experience, and ensure the technical security of our website. This processing is based on our legitimate interests.
6. How We Share Your Personal Data
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data to any third party. We may share your personal data with carefully selected third parties only to the extent necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this Policy, including:
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Payment processors and financial institutions who facilitate the secure processing of your donations
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IT service providers and platform operators who host or support our website, database, or email systems
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Professional advisors such as accountants, auditors, or legal counsel, where required
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Regulatory authorities, law enforcement, or government bodies where we are required to do so by law
All third parties with whom we share personal data are required to handle that data in a manner consistent with the Data Protection Act, 2020, and our own data protection standards. We enter into appropriate data processing agreements with third-party processors where required.
7. International Transfers of Personal Data
We do not transfer your personal data outside of Jamaica. All personal data we hold is stored and processed within Jamaica. Should this position change in the future, we will update this Privacy Policy and ensure that any transfer complies with the requirements of the Data Protection Act, 2020, including ensuring that the recipient country or territory provides an adequate level of protection for your data.
8. How Long We Keep Your Personal Data
We retain personal data only for as long as is necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by applicable Jamaican law. Our general retention periods are as follows:
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Donor and financial records: retained for a minimum of seven (7) years to comply with applicable financial and tax legislation
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Contact information and correspondence: retained for three (3) years from the date of last contact, unless you request earlier deletion
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Website analytics data: retained for a maximum of twelve (12) months
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Consent records: retained for the duration of our relationship and for three (3) years thereafter, to demonstrate compliance
Upon expiry of the applicable retention period, personal data will be securely deleted or anonymised in accordance with our data disposal procedures and any applicable regulations under the Act.
9. Your Data Protection Rights
Under the Data Protection Act, 2020 of Jamaica, you have the following rights in relation to your personal data:
9.1 Right of Access
You have the right to request a copy of the personal data we hold about you and information about how we process it.
9.2 Right to Rectification
You have the right to request that we correct any personal data we hold about you that is inaccurate or incomplete.
9.3 Right to Prevent Processing
You have the right, in certain circumstances specified under the Act, to request that we cease or restrict the processing of your personal data, for example where processing is causing or is likely to cause unwarranted substantial damage or distress.
9.4 Right to Withdraw Consent
Where we process your personal data on the basis of your consent, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. Withdrawal of consent will not affect the lawfulness of any processing carried out prior to the withdrawal.
9.5 Right to Object to Direct Marketing
You have the right to object at any time to the processing of your personal data for direct marketing purposes. We will cease such processing promptly upon receipt of your objection.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Data Protection Officer / Responsible Individual at shaareshalomja@gmail.com, or 92 Duke Street, Kingston, Jamaica. We will respond to your request within thirty (30) days of receipt. We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.
If you are dissatisfied with how we handle your request or with our data protection practices generally, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC):
Office of the Information Commissioner
Website: www.oic.gov.jm
Telephone: 1-888-991-5399
Email: info@oic.gov.jm
10. Cookies and Similar Technologies
Our website may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience and to gather analytical information about website usage. Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website.
The types of cookies we may use include:
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Essential cookies: necessary for the website to function properly
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Analytics cookies: used to understand how visitors interact with our website (e.g. Google Analytics or similar)
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Preference cookies: used to remember your settings and preferences
Where required by law, we will seek your consent before placing non-essential cookies on your device. You may manage or disable cookies at any time through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website.
11. Data Security
We take the security of your personal data seriously and have implemented appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised or unlawful access, accidental loss, destruction, or damage. These measures include:
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Secure encrypted connections (HTTPS/SSL) for our website
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Restricted access to personal data on a need-to-know basis
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Password-protected systems and devices
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Secure physical storage of any paper-based records
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Regular review of our data security practices
Where we engage third-party service providers to process data on our behalf, we take reasonable steps to ensure that they employ appropriate security measures.
In the event of a personal data breach that is likely to result in a risk to your rights and freedoms, we will notify the Office of the Information Commissioner as required by the Data Protection Act, 2020, and where appropriate, we will notify you directly without undue delay.
12. Children's Data
Our Organisation does not knowingly collect personal data from children under the age of eighteen (18) without the prior consent of a parent or legal guardian. If you believe we have inadvertently collected personal data from a child without appropriate consent, please contact us immediately at shaareshalomja@gmail.com and we will take steps to delete that information promptly.
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, our services, or applicable law. When we make material changes, we will update the effective date at the top of this document and, where practicable, notify you by email or by posting a notice on our website. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.
14. How to Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests relating to this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal data, please contact us:
United Congregation of Israelites
Attn: Data Protection Officer / Responsible Individual
Address: 92 Duke Street, Jamaica
Email: shaareshalomja@gmail.com
Telephone: 876.922.5931
We are committed to resolving any complaints or concerns about your privacy and the use of your personal data promptly and fairly.
This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of Jamaica, including the Data Protection Act, 2020.
© 2026 United Congregation of Israelites. All rights reserved.
Refund Policy
Effective Date: March 20, 2026
1. Introduction
The United Congregation of Israelites ("the UCI", "we", "us", or "our") is a nonprofit organisation registered in Jamaica. We accept donations through our website via the Fygaro payment platform, facilitated by Scotiabank Jamaica. This Donation Refund Policy outlines the circumstances under which refunds may be considered and the process for requesting them.
We are deeply grateful for every contribution we receive and are committed to handling all donations with transparency, integrity, and accountability.
2. General Policy on Donations
All donations made to The United Congregation of Israelites are voluntary gifts. As a general principle, donations are non-refundable once processed, as they are immediately applied to the operational, programmatic, and charitable activities of the organisation.
However, the UCI recognises that exceptional circumstances may arise, and we are committed to reviewing refund requests on a case-by-case basis in good faith.
3. Circumstances Under Which a Refund May Be Considered
A refund request may be considered under the following circumstances:
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Duplicate Transaction: A donor has been charged more than once for the same intended donation due to a technical error.
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Unauthorised Transaction: A donation was made without the account holder's knowledge or consent (e.g., as a result of fraud or unauthorised use of a payment method).
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Erroneous Amount: A donor made a donation in an amount significantly different from what was intended due to a technical or typographical error.
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Technical Processing Error: A verifiable error occurred during payment processing through the Fygaro platform that resulted in an incorrect charge.
Refunds will not be issued simply because a donor has changed their mind about a donation, or because the donor disagrees with how the organisation uses its funds within its stated mission.
4. Designated and Programme-Specific Donations
Where a donation is made in support of a specific programme or project of the UCI, and that programme or project is cancelled or substantially altered before the funds are expended, the donor may be contacted to discuss how the donation should be redirected. In such cases, a refund may be offered at the sole discretion of the UCI.
5. Membership Fees
Membership fees paid to The United Congregation of Israelites are generally non-refundable once the membership period has commenced. If a membership fee was processed in error (e.g., a duplicate charge), the donor or member should contact us immediately using the details in Section 7 below.
6. How to Request a Refund
To request a refund, please contact us within 30 calendar days of the transaction date and provide the following information:
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Your full name and contact information
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The date of the transaction
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The amount of the donation
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The transaction reference number (available in your payment confirmation email or bank statement)
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A clear description of the reason for the refund request
Requests submitted after 30 calendar days of the transaction date may not be considered, except in cases of fraud or where required by applicable law.
7. Contact Information
All refund requests and related inquiries should be directed to:
The United Congregation of Israelites
Email: shaareshalomja@gmail.com
Telephone: 876.922.5931
Address: 92 Duke Street, Jamaica
We will acknowledge your request within 5 business days and aim to resolve all refund matters within 15 business days of receipt of a complete request.
8. Refund Processing
Approved refunds will be returned using the same payment method used for the original donation, where technically feasible through the Fygaro platform.The UCI reserves the right to issue refunds via an alternative method where necessary.
Please note that processing times may vary depending on your financial institution. The UCI is not responsible for delays caused by banks or payment processors.
9. Amendments to This Policy
The United Congregation of Israelites reserves the right to amend this Refund Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on our website with an updated effective date. Continued use of our donation platform after any such changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
© 2026 The United Congregation of Israelites | Jamaica
Terms and Conditions
Effective Date: March 20, 2026
1. Introduction and Acceptance of Terms
These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern the use of the online donation facility provided on the website of The United Congregation of Israelites ("the UCI", "we", "us", or "our"). By making a donation through our website, you ("Donor", "you", or "your") agree to be bound by these Terms.
Please read these Terms carefully before making a donation. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, please do not proceed with a donation.
2. About the UCI
The United Congregation of Israelites is a nonprofit charitable organisation based in Jamaica. Our mission is to represent the 370-year-old Jewish community in Jamaica. We are committed to using all donations responsibly and in furtherance of our charitable purposes.
3. Payment Processing Platform
Online donations are processed through the Fygaro payment platform, arranged through Scotiabank Jamaica. By donating via this platform, you also agree to comply with the applicable terms of service of Fygaro and Scotiabank Jamaica.
The UCI does not store your full payment card details. All payment information is handled securely by Fygaro and Scotiabank Jamaica in accordance with applicable payment security standards (PCI-DSS).
4. Types of Donations Accepted
the UCI accepts the following types of contributions through its online donation platform:
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General Charitable Donations – unrestricted gifts applied at the discretion of the UCI toward its general charitable activities and operating needs.
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Programme-Specific Donations – contributions designated for a particular programme, project, or initiative of the UCI as described on the donation page.
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Designated Donations – gifts restricted by the donor for a stated charitable purpose consistent with the UCI's mission.
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Membership Fees – payments in respect of membership in the organisation as published on our website from time to time.
The UCI reserves the right to redirect designated donations to its general fund if the specified purpose is no longer active or feasible, in which case affected donors will be notified where practicable.
5. Donation Currency and Eligibility
Donations may be accepted in Jamaican dollars (JMD) or such other currencies as may be supported by the Fygaro platform from time to time. Currency conversion fees, if any, are the responsibility of the Donor.
By making a donation, you confirm that you are the authorised holder of the payment method used and that the funds are your own lawfully obtained monies.
6. Voluntary Nature of Donations
All donations are made voluntarily. No goods or services are provided in exchange for charitable donations, except where explicitly stated (e.g., membership benefits). Making a donation does not confer ownership, governance rights, or any entitlement to assets of the UCI.
7. Tax Considerations
The UCI will issue donation receipts upon request. It is the Donor's sole responsibility to determine whether their donation qualifies for any tax relief or deduction under applicable Jamaican or foreign tax law. the UCI makes no representation regarding the tax treatment of donations and recommends that Donors consult their own tax advisor.
8. Privacy and Data Protection
Personal information collected during the donation process (such as your name, email address, and payment information) will be used solely for the purposes of processing your donation, issuing receipts, and communicating with you about your contribution and our activities.
The UCI will not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes without your consent. Your information may be shared with Fygaro and Scotiabank Jamaica solely for payment processing purposes.
By donating, you consent to the UCI contacting you regarding your donation and our charitable work. You may opt out of further communications at any time by contacting us using the details in Section 13.
9. Refund Policy
Refunds are governed by our separate Donation Refund Policy, which forms part of these Terms and is available on our website. By donating, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the Refund Policy.
10. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the UCI shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or inconvenience arising from technical failures, processing errors, or interruptions in the Fygaro payment platform or the internet. Donors are encouraged to retain confirmation emails as proof of their transactions.
11. Amendments to These Terms
The United Congregation of Israelites reserves the right to amend these Terms at any time by posting updated Terms on our website. The updated Terms will be effective as of the date posted. Your continued use of our donation platform following any amendments constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.
12. Governing Law
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Jamaica. Any dispute arising from or in connection with these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Jamaica.
13. Contact Us
For questions, concerns, or requests relating to these Terms, please contact:
The United Congregation of Israelites
Email: shaareshalomja@gmail.com
Telephone: 876.922.5931
Mailing Address: 92 Duke Street, Kingston, Jamaica
© 2026 The United Congregation of Israelites | Jamaica