Centro Hebreo Sefaradi Explained

Building Name:Centro Hebreo Sefaradi de Cuba
Map Type:Cuba
Location: Havana, Cuba
Religious Affiliation:Conservative Judaism
Rite:Sephardic
Status:Active

In 2007 Centro Hebreo Sefaradi Synagogue was described as “…the only remaining institutional legacy of the Sephardic presence in Cuba.” Construction originally began in 1957 and the synagogue was completed in 1960[1] with a 726-seat sanctuary.[2] The main sanctuary was later rented out to the Afro-Cuban band Síntesis for their rehearsals while weekly religious services were held in a small room next door.[3] As of 2010, the synagogue had eighty families constituting 320 members. The majority of congregants were 60 or older. Centro Hebro is affiliated with the Conservative Jewish movement in the United States.[4] There is a small Holocaust memorial at the synagogue with quotations from José Martí.[5]

References

The Sefaradi are the Jews in Spain before and after the expulsion. http://www.madregot.com/Sefarad.htm

Notes and References

  1. Book: Behar . Ruth . An Island Called Home: Returning To Jewish Cuba . 2007 . Rutgers University Press . New Brunswick, NJ . 9780813541891 . 65.
  2. News: Harris. Liz . Sephardic majority, but numbers dwindling . The Jewish News of Northern California . January 7, 2020. San Francisco, CA . December 24, 2010.
  3. Behar, p. 66
  4. Behar, p. 68
  5. News: Goodman . James Stone . The Remnant: Cuban Jews face challenges with hope . St. Louis Jewish Light . January 7, 2020 . St. Louis, MO . December 17, 2015.