Page 8 - The Jewish Voice - April '25

Page 8, The Jewish Voice BW

Local Happenings from page 7 “When we come In the following article, Federation President and CEO
together across faith Michael Hoffman shares about Jewish life in Cuba, both
worked in assembly- traditions, we amplify decades ago and today. He discusses why leaders from Jewish
line fashion, measuring our impact,” said a Palm Beach traveled to this island and how the conditions in
and packaging nutrient- representative from this dynamic community were shocking and upsetting, yet also
rich meal components Temple Judea. “Hunger heartwarming and inspiring.
designed specifically to doesn’t discriminate,
combat malnutrition. and neither should First, a bit of background on Jewish life in Cuba: Before
These meals, consisting our response to it. the Cuban revolution in 1959, historians estimate 250,000
of rice, dried vegetables, This partnership with Jews lived in Cuba. Many came seeking a haven from pre- or
vitamin supplements, Saint Marks and Good post-WWII Europe, or from the pogroms of early 20th-century
and protein, provide Shepherd shows what’s Eastern Europe, and still others can trace their lineage as refugees
b a l a n c e d n u t r i t i o n possible when we focus from the Spanish Inquisition. They found the refuge they sought.
critical for childhood on our shared values of In the more than six decades since then, approximately 90
development. compassion and service.” percent of the island’s Jews have escaped the political, religious,
This initiative reflects the core values of tikkun and economic hardships. The few hundred who remain are doing
olam (repairing the world) that guides Temple Judea’s what Jews are hardwired to do — they are keeping Jewish life
community outreach efforts. By working alongside their and learning alive. And they do this despite harsh political and
Christian neighbors, the congregation demonstrated how economic realities.
interfaith cooperation can create meaningful change for There are so many experiences I’d like to share with you,
communities in need. but here are a few highlights:

Federation Leads Humanitarian Jewish Religious Practice
Our group visited two synagogues in Havana that manage

Mission to Cuba to keep their doors open at least a few days each month
despite blackouts, fuel shortages, transportation crises, and the
In late February, nearly two dozen community leaders frightening scarcity of food. They are true centers of Jewish
joined with Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County on a life operated primarily by volunteers and with the assistance
humanitarian mission to Cuba. These individuals donated of Federation’s global partners at the American Jewish Joint
approximately 5,000 pounds of food, medicine, hygiene Distribution Committee (JDC). The synagogues and volunteers
products, and children’s books to the impoverished Cuban serve many roles, including providing religious instruction, basic
Jewish community. Most of the leaders on this mission had medical care through makeshift pharmacies and, perhaps most
previously completed training through Federation’s Mandel importantly, a sense of community for Cuban Jews.
Center for Leadership Development. Without a rabbi on the island, a group of young people in
their 20s expertly led Friday
night services, which they
had learned to do from family
members and volunteers. The
prayer books were in Spanish
and Hebrew, but most of the
people in our group don’t
speak Spanish and most of
the congregants don’t speak
English. So, we communicated
in the universal language of
prayer as we covered our
eyes to recite the Shema (a
centerpiece of Jewish prayer
services and considered one
of the most essential Jewish
prayers), and as we put our
arms around each other
while singing Oseh Shalom
Bimromav (a Jewish prayer
for peace).

Local Happenings
The group outside El Patronato synagogue on page 9

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