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Mission to Cuba

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism once again hosted on an 8 day mission to meet the Jewish community of Cuba, February 11-18, 2009. Twenty-nine individuals from USCJ congregations throughout North America visited four congregations affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Southeast Region in three cities, Havana, Santa Clara and Cienfuegos. We also had an opportunity to experience some traditional Cuban nightlife and tourist attractions.

At its peak, during World War II, the Jewish community in Cuba numbered 25,000. Most of those Jews had come to Cuba as a “layover” on their way to America. Many found the country to be a good place to live and chose to stay in Cuba. In 1959, the Jewish population on the island was 15,000. With the onset of the Revolution and the government takeover of all businesses, 90% of Cuba’s Jewish population fled the island, leaving a Jewish population of only 1,500 individuals. Among those who left were all of Cuba’s rabbis, cantors, and mohalim. An interesting side note is that when businesses were taken over by the Cuban government, the only business that was allowed to remain privately owned and operated was the kosher butcher shop. Unfortunately, the butcher died, and kosher meat is no longer available in Cuba.

The revolution brought many restrictions to religious life in Cuba (all religions, not just Judaism). One could not be a member of the Communist Party and profess any religious beliefs. Those who did profess religious beliefs were barred from admission to universities and many professions. Thus, most of the remaining 1,500 Jews severed their ties to the Jewish community. Many of Cuba’s synagogues closed for lack of members or funds to keep them operating. Jewish cemeteries fell into disrepair. There was no one to teach the children and little hope of perpetuating a Jewish community in Cuba.

In 1991, the Cuban Constitution was modified to allow for religious expression on the island. That change allowed Jews (and Christians) to reaffirm their religious beliefs and ties without hampering their involvement in Cuban secular life. Consequently, many Jews have renewed their affiliation with the remaining Cuban synagogues.

Many of Cuba’s Jews are poor. There are numerous shortages in Cuba, especially medications, both over-the-counter and prescription, but also clothing, toys, and toiletries. American (and other) Jewish groups visiting Cuba bring these supplies to distribute through the synagogues. Our little group brought over 500 pounds of supplies that we distributed to the 4 congregations we visited. We also made a cash contribution to each congregation. Temple Beth Shalom, the Jewish Community Center of Havana (the Patronato) has a pharmacy that provides medicines to members of the Jewish (and non-Jewish) community. Most synagogues provide some kind of meal after t’fillot. These activities provide both a service to members and an incentive to attend.

The lack of religious life from 1959 to 1991 led to an almost 100% rate of intermarriage. Over the past few years, many non-Jewish spouses have converted to Judaism. There is a small mikvah in Havana and Conservative rabbis in Latin America travel to Cuba to officiate at conversions.

In Havana, we had the opportunity to visit and attend Shabbat services at two synagogues; Beth Shalom and Centro Hebreo Sefaradi de Cuba, the Sephardic synagogue.

On Friday evening, our group attended Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv services at the Patronato. We were amazed by the active participation of the members of the congregation in the t’fillot. Everyone knew the prayers and enthusiastically sang along with the lay leaders. After services, we joined the entire congregation for a beautiful Shabbat dinner. Since kosher meat is not available in Cuba, we ate a delicious fish dinner.

On Shabbat morning, we attended services at the Sephardic synagogue, after which we joined the congregation for Kiddush and lunch. Here too, the congregation fully participated in the entire service, reading Torah (triennial cycle), and leading responsive readings (in Spanish). Group leader and mission organizer, Harry Silverman, executive director of the Southeast Region, was honored with an aliyah to the Torah and read the 10 Commandments portion for the congregation. The congregation even sang Ein Keloheinu in Spanish, a version sung in many of our south Florida congregations.

Our group visited the small Jewish community of Santa Clara in central Cuba. The Conservative congregation there has 38 members. (Membership in Cuban synagogues is by individual, not families). They currently hold services in the home of the president, however they have purchased a home and are in the process of converting it into a synagogue and community center. The home was too small for our group, so we met with their leadership at the local Jewish cemetery, which has recently been restored. This cemetery boasts the second Holocaust memorial in Cuba. (The other one, at the Havana cemetery, was the first Holocaust memorial in the western Hemisphere.)

We then made a stop at the synagogue in Cienfuegos. This congregation has 27 members in 9 families. Here, again, the synagogue meets in the home of its president; however, her living room was large enough for all of us.

The leadership of all 4 congregations told us the same thing; their communities lack professional religious and educational leadership, supplies are scarce, and many of their members are poor. They rely on the medicines and supplies brought to them by outside Jewish groups to provide for their members. They also all told us that despite these hardships, their communities are growing stronger and more vibrant. They are firmly committed to keeping Judaism alive on the island.

In each of the synagogue we visited, we promised that our United Synagogue and our Southeast Region would not forget our brothers and sisters in Cuba. We pledged to keep in touch with them, to send materials to them and to encourage Jewish groups to visit the island and meet the Jewish communities there. Our Southeast Region plans to continue once-yearly missions to the Jewish community of Cuba. For further information, please contact Harry Silverman, director of the Southeast Region at silverman@uscj.org.

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