finta

plural fintas

1. JudaismA yearly synagogue membership fee (in Western Sephardic communities)

   "Pah! What are you talking of, sir?" and he looked up cautiously for the first time at the picturesque figure. "What does the Synagogue want of me? I pay my finta and every bill the rascals send me. Monstrous fine sums, too, egad—"

   1893, Israel Zangwill, “Showing How the King Enriched the Synagogue” (chapter VI), in The King of Schnorrers (fiction), New York: Macmillan and Co., →OCLC, page 142

   1 more example

   To provide for the expenses of our Synagogues, as well as for the assistance of our poor, the Finta annually paid in the Congregation was established; and in the year 5569 a meeting of the Yehidim fixed the maximum amount thereof at £1,400 per annum. The mode of raising the said Finta shall be as follows:— 1st. Every two years, at the Annual Meeting of the Elders, the said gentlemen shall take into consideration the amount to be raised as Finta, within the limit of the said £1,400, and in the month of Tebet ensuing, notices shall be issued to the Yehidim to meet in the Chamber of the Mahamad, on the day and hour which the said Mahamad shall appoint, to elect ten persons, who, jointly with the five gentlemen of the Mahamad, shall be the Fintadores (assessors of the Finta), the ballot for which shall be open for one hour from the time fixed for the meeting.

   1872, “Regulations respecting the finta, and Election of Fintadores.” (chapter II), in Ascamot: or, Laws and Regulations of the Congregation of Spanish and Portuguese Jews, revised and amended edition, London: Wertheimer, Lea & Co., →OCLC, Ascamot of the Elders, page 12