Cuba
From JudaismWiki
CUBA. Until the 1959 revolution which ended in Fidel Castro’s transformation of Cuba into a socialist state, Jews numbered 10,000. In 2007, about 1000 Jews, mostly poor and elderly, remain in a population of 11 million. Cuba won freedom from Spain in 1898 as a result of the Spanish-American War. In the 16th century, Marranos, forced converts who practiced Judaism in secret, came to Cuba to escape persecution in other parts of Latin America. For a short time they prospered, playing an important part in developing Cuba’s sugar industry. Finally, the Inquisition, which sought to wipe out all non-Catholic faiths, reached the island, and the Marrano community disappeared. Although religious persecution ceased in 1783, it was not until Cuba gained its independence that Jews began to immigrate in large numbers. The first to come were American Jews, who formed an independent community. At about the same time, many Sephardic Jews from Turkey and Morocco arrived. The influx of East European Jews began only after 1924, when the U.S. shut its doors to immigrants. Strict immigration laws passed in the 1930’s prevented further growth of the community. Today, about half of Cuba’s Jews are descendants of the Sephardic immigrants; the rest are divided between a “North American” and an East European community.
Jewish community contact:
Comision Coordinadora de las Sociedades Religiosas Hebreas de Cuba, Calle I Esq.13 Vedado-Ciudad de la Habana 10400 Tel. 53 7 328 953, Fax 53 7 333 778
SYNAGOGUES
Caibarien
Caibarien Synagogue Caibarien Tel: 0423 3544
Camaguey
Communida Hebrea Tifereth Israel Andres Sanchez #365 e/ Capdeoila y Joaquin Aguero Camaguey
Campechuela
Campechuela Synagogue Marti #4 ndep #72 Campechuela Tel: 023-587548
Cienfuegos
Cienfuegos Synagogue 39#5001 E/50 y 52 Cienfuegos
Guantanamo
Guantanamo Synagogue Paseo Este #2211 e/ 4 y 5 Guantanamo
Havana
Adath Israel Piicota 52 Esquina Acosta Habana Vieja Havana Orthodox Tel: 053-7-861-3495
Centro Hebreo Sefardi Calle 17 esquina E Vedado Havana Conservative Tel: 053-7-832 6623
Chevet Achim Inquisidor entre Luz y Santa Clara, Habana Vieja Havana Tel: 053-7-32-6623
Patronato de la Casa de la Comunidad Hebrea de Cuba Calle I, #259, E/ 13 y 15 Vedado Havana Conservative Tel: 053-7-32-8953 Fax: 053-7-33-3778
Temple Beth Israel Calle G Avenida de los Presidentes Havana Liberal
Santa Clara
Santa Clara Synagogue Apedo 248 Santa Clara Tel: 0422 71933
Santiago de Cuba
Hatikva Corona 273 e/ Habana y Los Maceo Santiago de Cuba Conservative www.jewishcuba.org/hatikva/hatikva.html
