Dec 11, 2015
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 section
Ashkenazi 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 Ervin’s 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, Cuba’s Jewish population peaked at 15,000 people.
Embroidering kippot at Adath Israel.
Hand made dolls are displayed in the background.
Centro Sefaradi sanctuary
After 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 community’s 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 B’Shevat in Havana
Camagüey
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 Camagüey 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 Cuba’s 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 Camagüey from Jerusalem
Santa Clara
The 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, Havana’s largest synagogue.
Alberto calls them Hamen's Ears. He is a member of the Youth Group
Kitchen 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 Guantånamo
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 Cuba
February 2, 2012
Info : 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 : Rubén González - Melodía del rio