Temple Habonim travelers find Judaism alive in Cuba

In January, 30 members of Temple Habonim in Barrington embarked on a Jewish mission trip to Cuba. In addition to cultural experiences (including museum visits, concerts, dance performances, a cigar factory tour, a visit to Ernest Hemingway’s home, and so much more), our primary goal was to visit five different Jewish communities on the island.

From a community worship space in a private living room to a large synagogue visited by the likes of Fidel Castro and Steven Speilberg, we prayed together, learned the community histories, listened to stories and distributed needed medical supplies and other gifts we brought with us. The Jewish communities we visited dispense the donated items to all people in need, whether Jewish or not. In Cuba, many people are in great need.

The communities were gracious and grateful – making us feel at home and even feeding us lavishly when it was clear that they were of modest means. Despite the poverty of so many Cubans, we encountered a very strong Cuban identity, great joy among the people, and a very strong and proud Jewish identity among our host communities.

At one of the Jewish communities we visited, the lay leader told us that he does not worry about the future of the Jewish communities in Cuba. Instead, he is grateful every day for the Jewish community he has and for the Jewish visitors who come and offer support. He is also grateful for the young people who are leading worship and carrying on our sacred Jewish traditions in Cuba. He led us in singing the Shehecheyanu, leaving us all feeling deeply connected as Jews, despite being in new and unfamiliar surroundings.

Judaism is alive in Cuba, and the Jewish neshuma thrives in this tiny island nation. Our Temple Habonim community felt blessed to have this meaningful opportunity.

RABBI ANDREW KLEIN is the rabbi at Temple Habonim in Barrington.