The Cuban Jewish Community

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The Cuban Jewish Community
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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.

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• Adath Israel, the Orthodox synagogue sanctuary

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• Chairs at Adath Israel Orthodox Synagogue

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• The women's section

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• 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
  Ervins grandfather ,but he returned to Romania
  after a few months.

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

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• 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.

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

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• Centro Sefaradi sanctuary

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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 communitys future.

• The open ark at Centro Sefarad

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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.

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Tu BShevat in Havana
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Camagüey
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• The museum is a house that was built around 1824.
  This is the entrance area.

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• The facade of the museum

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• The Israeli folk dance group from Camagüey is
  featured to the left.

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In the museum there are cases showing Jewish
culture and religion.
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• 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.

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New Havdalah set brought to Camagüey from
Jerusalem
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Santa Clara
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• 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

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• The Holocaust Memorial in Santa Clara is quite
  complex.The railroad tracks lead to hopes for
  the future.

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• Virginia

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• Virginia s kitchen

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

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

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• Alberto calls them Hamen's Ears. He is a member
  of the Youth Group

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• Kitchen staff at the Patronato

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• Medicines in the pharmacy at the Patronato

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The Purim Queens Contest at the Patronato in
Havana
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• 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

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Guantanamo
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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.

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

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• Kiddush cup brought from Israel to the community

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• Friday night blessing the children and loved ones

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The new challah cover
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Succot in Guantånamo
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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.

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• The bimah and the ark at Hatikva in Santiago de
  Cuba

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February 2, 2012

• Info
• http//www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vjw/Cu
  ba.html
• The Virtual Jewish History Tour - Cuba
• The Virtual Jewish History Tour
• Cuba
• by 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