L | A (Translated with ChatGPT)
Despite there being only about fifteen hundred Jews in Cuba, the community continuously works to strengthen its identity and connections. Their history is intertwined with the history of the island and its turbulent political, social, and cultural past and present.
The history of the Jewish community in Cuba dates back to the arrival of the Spaniards, among whom were some Jews who had to hide their identity to protect their lives; however, many of them lost their identity over time.
Recent statistics indicate that in 1924, there were 24,000 Jews on the island, and during the 1930s, many more migrated to this tropical paradise. In Havana alone, there were 15,000 Jews in 1959, who gathered around the city's five synagogues.
After the fall of dictator Fulgencio Batista's regime, approximately 95% of the Jews left the country due to fears of the new religious restrictions imposed by Fidel Castro's socialist regime and his allies. Such was the case of the famous singer Olga Guillot, known as the Queen of Bolero, who emigrated from Cuba in 1961 and later settled in Mexico.
However, at least three prominent Jews contributed to the establishment and organization of the new government: Fabio Grobart, Manuel Stolik Novigrod, and Enrique Oltusk.
Additionally, the renowned Ricardo Wolf, a German Jew who emigrated to Cuba to support Fidel Castro, was later appointed as Cuba's ambassador to Israel, a position he held until 1973, when the island severed relations with Israel. Following this, Wolf decided not to return to Cuba.
In 1976, Wolf founded the Israeli organization that bears his name, which awards the Wolf Prize, a prestigious honor in arts and sciences, granting $100,000 to exceptional scientists and artists worldwide.
Currently, it is estimated that there are about fifteen hundred Jews on the island, most of them in the capital, Havana. In 2006, this small community celebrated its first century of existence.
As in many other parts of the world, the Jews of Cuba have assimilated into the surrounding culture, but there are still those who keep their religious and cultural traditions alive, while also enriching national life with their contributions in many other fields.
In an interview with Enlace Judío, Jorge Abigantud, a member of the Jewish community in Cuba, talks about his experiences as a Cuban Jew, the bonds of friendship between Mexico and Cuba, and what it means to be Jewish in a socialist country under a trade embargo.
"The life of a Jew in Cuba is the same as that of an ordinary Cuban, with the same rights and obligations," he says. "Jews are wonderful people who express their identity with love. In recent years, Raúl Castro has attended the community's two main events with great respect, sitting in the front row."
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We reach 8 million people per month
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Despite there being only about fifteen hundred Jews in Cuba, the community continuously works to strengthen its identity and connections. Their history is intertwined with the history of the island and its turbulent political, social, and cultural past and present.
The history of the Jewish community in Cuba dates back to the arrival of the Spaniards, among whom were some Jews who had to hide their identity to protect their lives; however, many of them lost their identity over time.
Recent statistics indicate that in 1924, there were 24,000 Jews on the island, and during the 1930s, many more migrated to this tropical paradise. In Havana alone, there were 15,000 Jews in 1959, who gathered around the city's five synagogues.
After the fall of dictator Fulgencio Batista's regime, approximately 95% of the Jews left the country due to fears of the new religious restrictions imposed by Fidel Castro's socialist regime and his allies. Such was the case of the famous singer Olga Guillot, known as the Queen of Bolero, who emigrated from Cuba in 1961 and later settled in Mexico.
However, at least three prominent Jews contributed to the establishment and organization of the new government: Fabio Grobart, Manuel Stolik Novigrod, and Enrique Oltusk.
Additionally, the renowned Ricardo Wolf, a German Jew who emigrated to Cuba to support Fidel Castro, was later appointed as Cuba's ambassador to Israel, a position he held until 1973, when the island severed relations with Israel. Following this, Wolf decided not to return to Cuba.
In 1976, Wolf founded the Israeli organization that bears his name, which awards the Wolf Prize, a prestigious honor in arts and sciences, granting $100,000 to exceptional scientists and artists worldwide.
Currently, it is estimated that there are about fifteen hundred Jews on the island, most of them in the capital, Havana. In 2006, this small community celebrated its first century of existence.
As in many other parts of the world, the Jews of Cuba have assimilated into the surrounding culture, but there are still those who keep their religious and cultural traditions alive, while also enriching national life with their contributions in many other fields.
In an interview with Enlace Judío, Jorge Abigantud, a member of the Jewish community in Cuba, talks about his experiences as a Cuban Jew, the bonds of friendship between Mexico and Cuba, and what it means to be Jewish in a socialist country under a trade embargo.
"The life of a Jew in Cuba is the same as that of an ordinary Cuban, with the same rights and obligations," he says. "Jews are wonderful people who express their identity with love. In recent years, Raúl Castro has attended the community's two main events with great respect, sitting in the front row."
"Israel is not alone!"
In the battle of information, we are at the forefront
We reach 8 million people per month
Join the defense of the only Jewish State,
be part of the Enlace Judío community
Starting from 200 pesos per month
Join our community
