Jewish Cuban
Encyclopedia
Jewish Cubans, Cuban Jews, or Cubans of Jewish heritage, have lived on the island of Cuba
for centuries. Some Cubans
trace Jewish ancestry to Marrano
s who fled the Spanish Inquisition
, though few of these practice Judaism
today. There was significant Jewish immigration to Cuba in the first half of the 20th century. Like others, many Jews left Cuba for the United States
after the coming of Fidel Castro
, and today there is a large community in South Florida. In modern Cuba
there are many communities of Middle Eastern descent, including Jewish and Lebanese
populations.
The Cuban Coordinating Commission, the official governmental unit for the Jewish Community, recognized 1201 persons as Jewish in 2001 for the purpose of distributing Passover food.
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
. They also state that Cuba has only one kosher butcher shop on the entire island and not a single rabbi
, until recently. They now have a Rabbi that is based in one of the Synagogues in Havana and often encourages visiting Jews to give Tzedakah
for the Jewish Cubans and for Israel. 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 synagogue
s in Havana alone". Adath Israel is the only Orthodox synagogue in Cuba. On December 2006, the Cuban Jewish community celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Documentaries about Cuban Jewry:
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
for centuries. Some Cubans
Cubans
Cubans or Cuban people are the inhabitants or citizens of Cuba. Cuba is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
trace Jewish ancestry to Marrano
Marrano
Marranos were Jews living in the Iberian peninsula who converted to Christianity rather than be expelled but continued to observe rabbinic Judaism in secret...
s who fled the Spanish Inquisition
Spanish Inquisition
The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition , commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition , was a tribunal established in 1480 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. It was intended to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, and to replace the Medieval...
, though few of these practice Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
today. There was significant Jewish immigration to Cuba in the first half of the 20th century. Like others, many Jews left Cuba for the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
after the coming of Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
, and today there is a large community in South Florida. In modern Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
there are many communities of Middle Eastern descent, including Jewish and Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
populations.
The Cuban Coordinating Commission, the official governmental unit for the Jewish Community, recognized 1201 persons as Jewish in 2001 for the purpose of distributing Passover food.
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
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
. They also state that Cuba has only one kosher butcher shop on the entire island and not a single rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
, until recently. They now have a Rabbi that is based in one of the Synagogues in Havana and often encourages visiting Jews to give Tzedakah
Tzedakah
Tzedakah or Ṣ'daqah in Classical Hebrew is a Hebrew word commonly translated as charity, though it is based on the Hebrew word meaning righteousness, fairness or justice...
for the Jewish Cubans and for Israel. 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 synagogue
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
s in Havana alone". Adath Israel is the only Orthodox synagogue in Cuba. On December 2006, the Cuban Jewish community celebrated its 100th anniversary.
See also
- Cuban AmericanCuban AmericanA Cuban American is a United States citizen who traces his or her "national origin" to Cuba. Cuban Americans are also considered native born Americans with Cuban parents or Cuban-born persons who were raised and educated in US...
- Culture of CubaCulture of CubaThe culture of Cuba is a complex mixture of different, often contrasting, factors and influences. Cuba is a meeting point of European, African and continental North American cultures; little of the original Amerindian culture survives. Since 1959, the Cuban Revolution has also greatly affected...
- History of the Jews in Latin AmericaHistory of the Jews in Latin AmericaThe history of the Jews in Latin America dates, according to some interpretations, back to Christopher Columbus and his first cross-Atlantic voyage on August 3, 1492, when he left Spain and eventually discovered the New World...
- List of Latin American Jews
- Shmuel SzteinhendlerShmuel SzteinhendlerShmuel Szteinhendler, a rabbi in Santiago, Chile, is considered the current Chief Rabbi of Cuba as well as the regional director for Masorti in Latin America...
- José Miller
- Ricardo WolfRicardo WolfDr. Ricardo Wolf was a Jewish-German-Cuban-Israeli inventor, diplomat, philanthropist and former Cuban ambassador to Israel. He was the founder of the Wolf Foundation.-Early years:...
- Meyer RosenbaumMeyer Rosenbaum (II)Chief Rabbi Meyer Rosenbaum was the spiritual leader of the Kehilla Adath Israel and the Chief Rabbi of Cuba from 1942 to 1958. Rabbi Rosenbaum was the founder of the Tahkemoni School in Havana. He also authored many scholarly works in Hebrew, Yiddish, and Spanish.Chief Rabbi Rosenbaum was a son...
Documentaries about Cuban Jewry:
- Trip to Jewish CubaTrip to Jewish CubaTrip to Jewish Cuba is a 1995 short documentary film that follows an American-Jewish aid mission as it travels to Cuba to observe and help the island's Jewish community.-Summary:...
- The Believers: Stories from Jewish HavanaThe Believers: Stories from Jewish HavanaThe Believers: Stories From Jewish Havana is a 1994, short film documentary, directed by Bonnie Burt.The director hears from a variety of Jews about their post–Cold War lives in the Cuban capital city.-Summary:...
- Abraham and Eugenia: Stories from Jewish CubaAbraham and Eugenia: Stories from Jewish CubaAbraham and Eugenia: Stories From Jewish Cuba is a 1994 documentary directed by Bonnie Burt.-Summary:Embracing religion within a nation that looks down upon religious affiliations is challenging. One group that knows this first hand is the Jewish population of Cuba...
External links
- Jewban.org
- Miami Herald article: 'JEWBAN' to state: Hands off my plate!
- Mambo mensch: Frank Speiser’s cross-cultural memoir
- 'Havana' article from the new Encyclopaedia Judaica
- Hadassah Magazine: Two-Hyphen Identity
- "The Jews of Cuba" website
- West Palm Jews Visit to Aid Brethren in Cuba by John Lantigua, The Miami Herald, July 15, 2009
- Raul Castro celebrates Hanukkah with Cuban Jews by Paul Haven, Associated Press, December 5, 2010