Slide 1

The Cuban Jewish Community

Adath Israel synagogue from the street

The first Jews probably arrived to Cuba after the expulsion from Spain in 1492. They were mostly Marranos, the forced Jewish converts to Catholicism.During the 16th and 17th centuries, Jews immigrated to Cuba from Brazil.In the late 1800's, Jews from the Dutch Antilles settled in Cuba.

Adath Israel, the Orthodox synagogue sanctuary

Chairs at Adath Israel Orthodox Synagogue

The women's sectionAshkenazi Jews born in Romania and Eastern Europe came to Cuba to work for U.S.-owned plantations and businesses in the 20ties. Among them was also Ervins grandfather ,but he returned to Romania after a few months.

In the kitchen at Adath Israel where the members do all the cooking.

A large number of Jews immigrated to Cuba from 1910 until 1920, including Sephardic Jews from Turkey.Jews continued to seek asylum in Cuba during the Holocaust.At the beginning of World War II, Ashkenazi Jews from Poland arrived in Santiago fleeing Nazi persecution. At the time of the Revolution in 1959, Cubas Jewish population peaked at 15,000 people.

Embroidering kippot at Adath Israel. Hand made dolls are displayed in the background.

Centro Sefaradi sanctuaryAfter the Revolution there were restrictions against religious groups.Jewish life suffered in Cuba, but never disappeared.

Cuban Jewry faced increased assimilation and its elders were worried about the communitys future.

The open ark at Centro Sefarad

New Ner Tamid

Just after the fall of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s, Castro proclaimed religious freedom for all. The government even provides some financial support for religious organizations. For the Jewish community in Cuba, most money comes from international Jewish organizations from the United States and Europe.

Tu BShevat in Havana

Camagey

The museum is a house that was built around 1824. This is the entrance area.The facade of the museum

The Israeli folk dance group from Camagey is featured to the left.In the museum there are cases showing Jewish culture and religion.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) was instrumental in rebuilding Cubas Jewish population. Since 1992, the JDC has sent rabbis and community organizers to help with education and to perform ceremonies.

New Havdalah set brought to Camagey from Jerusalem

Santa ClaraThe stone is from Kolodno Street in the Warsaw Ghetto.It was donated by the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.and carried to the community by Miriam Saul from Atlanta, GA

The Holocaust Memorial in Santa Clara is quite complex.

The railroad tracks lead to hopes for the future.

Virginia

Virginia s kitchen

The Patronato, the Jewish community center and Conservative synagogue in Havana. Casa de la Comunidad Hebrea de CubaEl Patronato

Purim - Making Hamentaschen for Purim at the Patronato, Havanas largest synagogue.

Alberto calls them Hamen's Ears. He is a member of the Youth GroupKitchen staff at the Patronato

Medicines in the pharmacy at the Patronato

The Purim Queens Contest at the Patronato in Havana

The purpose of The Cuba-America Jewish Mission is to help the Jews of Cuba to be able to learn about their religion and heritage, and to live healthy and productive lives both in Cuba and Israel.

June Safran, former executive director of the Cuba-America Jewish Mission

Guantanamo

The Bimah

June Safran wrote to me in 2009:

I have been involved since 1994. There are about 1200 Jews left in Cuba and about 900 in Israel as well as about 300 that have left Israel for the US or Spain either because they missed having family around or could not adjust to the language.

Red carpet was laid at the entrance to the sanctuary for the celebration of Guantanamo Jewish Community 80th Anniversary

Kiddush cup brought from Israel to the community

Friday night blessing the children and loved ones

The new challah cover

Succot in Guantnamo

In February 2007 the New York Times estimated that there are about 1,500 known Jews living in Cuba, most of them (about 1,100) living in Havana.

The article adds that

"This small Jewish presence [in 2007] is in stark contrast to the bustling community that existed before Fidel Castro came to power in 1959. In those days, there were 15,000 Jews and five synagogues in Havana alone".

Plaque at Entrance to Hatikvah de Santiago de Cuba

The Comunidad Hebrea Hatikva de Santiago de Cuba was founded by Sephardic Jews about 1924.

The bimah and the ark at Hatikva in Santiago de CubaFebruary 2, 2012Info :http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vjw/Cuba.html

The Virtual Jewish History Tour - CubaThe Virtual Jewish History TourCubaby Rebecca Weiner

Photos ,comments with the photos and info:

CAJM Photos

For more photos and info please visit the following links :

www.thecajm.org

www.jewishcuba.org

Music : Rubn Gonzlez - Meloda del rio