A small but proud Jewish community seeks to engage with its brethren around the world.
A prominent
member of the Cuban Jewish community says Havana Jews are eager for news
from the outside world, particularly the latest goings-on in Israel and
the global Jewish community.
“We live in a bubble – we only know what the
state-sponsored media wants us to know,” says Dr. Mayra Levy, a
professor of pharmacology at Havana’s University of Medical Sciences and
the president of Havana’s Sephardic synagogue, the largest of Cuba’s
three Jewish congregations.
The busy doorway to one of Cuba's main synagogues (photo Courtesy: Richard Smith, thejewsofcuba.com)
Levy spoke to the Times of Israel during a
recent visit to Washington, where she represented the 1500-member Cuban
Jewish community at the annual American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) Global
Forum.
When asked what her main message from the
Cuban community to the global gathering of Jewish emissaries was, Levy
said: “I want them to know that we exist.”
“It’s not just money that we need. We want to
be connected to the Jewish world and Israel, to meet face-to-face with
Jews who visit us to share their knowledge and make us feel a part of
the global community.” Levy added that there is great local interest in
returning to Jewish roots, evidenced by the 167 Jewish children enrolled
in Sunday school. Read the rest on: The Times of Israel
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