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Q: If you bring
together fifteen very committed people. and add an excellent workshop leader who will keep
a high level of interest throughout a whole day, what do you have? A: The UJCL Board
"trying harder" to be more effective in reaching out to all the small Jewish
communities in the Caribbean and Central America. On Oct. 11-14 representatives from Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Costa Rica,
Aruba, Bahamas, Panama, all of them Board members in various capacities, got together in
Puerto Rico to hear reports from the different communities, discuss the upcoming Encounter
in Panamá as well as the parallel Youth
Encounter, and participate in a workshop. This was the highlight of the reunion, because
it gave us a new perspective on our future as an organization. That was precisely the
theme of the workshop: Building Our Future, and its coordinator was Dr. Mario Schulman,
representing the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), Latin American
Office.. Working together in groups the participants were able to formulate their mission
with deeper insight and an awareness of the obstacles ahead of them: To create
opportunities for Jewish communities, widely
dispersed, to link together for continuity and the enrichment of their Jewish heritage.
Also formulated was our vision:
To become developers and coordinators of community services that will enhance the
achievement of our mission.The participants developed different strategies to bridge the
gap between mission and vision, and devised concrete plans of action to achieve their
goals. A priority all agreed upon: the development of services for the youth, encouraging
encounters along the year, and an established camp for them. Encouraged by the results,
the Board will do its utmost to hold more Encounters of this type throughout the year, at
different member communities.
ARUBA: Beth Israel is still searching for a spiritual leader for its
members. It is hoped that, very soon, the "perfect match" will be found, as
there are several candidates for the position. In the meantime, Beth Israel youth is
rising up to the occasion, conducting very nicely the religious services and helping out
with the preparation for Bar and Bat Mitzvah of younger students. Dr. Gustavo Perednik,
from the Gilinski Foundation, may be visiting the community in December, to give several
talks at local schools and at Beth Israel. He is being brought under the auspices of the
Hon. Consulate of Israel to Aruba.
BAHAMAS: The community, presently undergoing a restructuring process, celebrated the High
Holidays with the presence of a Conservative rabbi from Washington. Once a month a rabbi
will visit the island to supervise the children’s education. The community does not
have a synagogue of their own.The Freeport congregation is smaller than the Nassau one,
quite heterogeneous, and presently engaged in targeting the many unaffiliated Jews there.
COSTA RICA: B’nei
Israel is getting ready to welcome their new Rabbi in June 2003. To that effect they are
actively fundraising with raffles, dinners and other activities that will serve to unite
them even more. ***The members, assisted by Bar and Bat Mitzvah students, are busy
organizing the community archives. ***The "founding fathers" are taking a step
back in the knowledge that the
younger generation has been richly nurtured and inspired by the creativity and fruitful
work of those who started B’nei Israel. This community has been gifted with very
committed members, and we are certain that if will flourish even more in years to come.
CUBA: Unfortunately, the
semiannual Board meeting had to be cancelled there due to the difficulties involved in
traveling to the island for some of our members. We hope in the near future to be able to
visit the Cuban community as part of a UJCL mission.
CURAÇAO: The community is
very excited with the arrival of their new rabbi, Rabbi Gerald Zelermeyer. His thoughts
are clearly expressed in the Rosh Hashanah issue of Mikve Israel-Emanuel:
At this time, so precarious for Jews, Judaism and our brothersand sisters in Israel, I
feel the community has an importance we ourselves may not yet imagine. I have always been
impressed by the nature of the Curaçao network. It contains a warmth, tradition and a
passion that are the tour de force of civilization. That unique blend, already indigenous,
if spread abroad, can actually make history. I came here to be of help. I will need your
help. BESIMAN TOV! That is a favorable sign. We need each other. We are in for exciting
and challenging times! ***At the beginning of November Mikve Israel Emanuel will elect a
new Board of Directors. René Maduro, who has served the congregation with
extraordinary dedication as President for 18 years (not consecutive), and invested his
time and energies towards the advancement of this very special community, will not be
running for re-election. We wish the Board of Directors much success and fruitful
projects, and we reiterate our admiration of René for his community work. Unfortunately,
Curaçao was unable to attend our semiannual meeting.
EL SALVADOR: The
community’s new young rabbi, R. Daniel Zang is quite active in the organization of
many events. He is stimulating the young couples to become more involved with their
community.
Rabbi Zang is continuing with the efforts of his predecessor, Rabbi Kraselnik, sending a
weekly virtual Kehilaton that reaches members and friends now scattered around the world.
It is very colorful and lively, and a pleasure to read. There is also a direct link to the
UJCL website.***The community has just published a specially bound Rosh Hashanah issue,
that documents very well its history and achievements. It includes beautiful artwork by
Maria Schlesinger de Kahn, a community member, and is really interesting. ***There is
another Jerusalem! This one is in La Paz, at about 60 km. from
El Salvador. When the National Institute collapsed in that city due to the last
earthquake, the community, with the initiative of its President, Jean Claude Kahn, decided
to rebuild it. Thanks to generous donations and the efforts of many, it was possible to do
it. The school has six classrooms, a
laboratory, a basketball court and an office. It will be inaugurated on Nov. 15 and its
official name will be State of Israel Institute. We applaud this great work by our sister
community.
HONDURAS: Good news for
the community! The General Assembly held a short time ago ratified the decision to accept
a bid for the construction of their new synagogue. A contract will be signed with a
constructor, and the work, under the direction of their chosen architect will begin by the
end of November. Hopefully, by July 2003 we will all be able to share in the
community’s joy as their brand new synagogue is inaugurated! (As you all remember,
the previous temple was destroyed by Hurricane Mitch.) They do not have the services of a
rabbi and, presently, Phil Gellman Is leading religious services, in conjunction with
Yehudah Leitner.
JAMAICA: Hillel Academy,
the community sponsored leading private school on the island that prepares students at
both the preparatory and secondary levels, obtained excellent results in the annual
examinations. ***The United Congregation of Israelites held its annual elections for
Wardens. The new Board of Directors includes David Cohen Henriques, President (he was the
former VP), Michael Matalón as Vice President, and Tony Lindo, the past President, as
Treasurer. We wish the new Board continued success in all their community endeavors. ***
The International Amateur Athletics Federation Youth Games was held for the first
time in Jamaica. Israel took part; its pole vaulter reached the finals, and then
went on to win in the European championships.*** The only member of the Jewish community
who contested at the national elections for parliament, held on Oct. 16 did not win after
a well fought campaign.
PANAMA: As its beautiful
bulletin attests, KSI is "a community in movement"! The motor behind all
this is Rabbi Kraselnik, and his wife Ruthie, who dedicates her best efforts to the Isaac
Rabin School.
Activities abound, and they have the support of the members: study groups, an Introduction
to Judaism course, a Film Club, theater, etc. etc. As if this would not be enough, the
whole community is really busy working towards a very successful UJCL 7th. Encounter on
the Feb.6-9 weekend, at the Marriott Hotel. Sylvia Robles is coordinating this
effort, with the cooperation of many dedicated members. Parallel to this Encounter, the
UJCL youth will hold its own Encounter. It promises to be memorable. As soon as we have
all the details we will let you know, and add the information on an ad-hoc page on our
website. We are sure that Kol Shearit Israel will rise up to the challenge and pass with
flying colors! *** Kol Shearit Israel was well represented by its artist members at the VI
Biennial Art Exhibit in Panama: Leslie Milzon. Mira Valencia and Rodney Zelenka
participated successfully in this event, that brings together the best national plastic
artists.
PUERTO RICO: This vibrant
community of Temple Beth Shalom in San Juan hosted the semi-annual meeting and workshop of
the UJCL Board of Directors. From the very first moment we felt the warmth and the
affection of each and all members. They went out of their way to entertain us and make it
a most meaningful visit. Some of the members, really involved with the community, drive
two hours to reach Beth Shalom, and give their children a chance of a Jewish education!
Cheryle Tacher, the President, Sallie Valcarcel, Puerto Rico UJCL Board Trustee, Rabbi
Rotem and his lovely wife Linda, were always there for us, as were the rest of the
members. Todah rabah to all of them, for their warmth
and hospitality. They brought us renewed enthusiasm, and a desire to connect to our UJCL
member communities with all our hearts, as we do to our own. It was a treat to spend time
with the Beth Shalom community! *** Rabbi Moti and Linda Rotem are organizing a tour of
Israel, leaving San
Juan on Feb. 23. The group will join the World Union for Progressive Judaism for the
Opening Session of their Conference. They will be visiting many places of historical and
contemporary interest in
Israel, and will bring home priceless memories. If you would like to join this tour as a
UJCL member, please contact Rabbi Mordechai Rotem at ravrotem@aol.com
Martha E. Lichtenstein
Aruba
Oct. 2002 – Heshvan 5763
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