Guatemala

From JudaismWiki

GUATEMALA. Republic in the northernmost portion of Central America. In 2006, there were about 1,000 Jews in a total population of about 13 million. A community of Marranos, forced Catholic converts who practiced their Jewish faith in secret, conducted a thriving export trade from Guatemala in the 16th century, when Guatemala was a Spanish colony. The Inquisition, established in Mexico in 1570, eventually led to the disappearance of this early Marrano community. During the 1860’s a small group of German Jews from Mexico and Cuba, as well as Sephardim from Turkey and France, settled here. They have been joined by immigrants from East Europe after World War II. All organizations are represented within the Comunidad Israelita, or Jewish Community.

Communal and Religious Life

The Jewish organizations are united under the Consejo Central. The three main Jewish groups are the Sociedad Israelita de Guatemala (Beth-El), which is Reform and mainly of German origin; Magen David, which is Sephardi; and the Centro Hebreo, which is composed of people with roots in eastern Europe. Each of the organizations maintains its own synagogue. There is also a B'nai B'rith lodge, a Maccabi club, and a branch of WIZO, all of which function under the Consejo Central umbrella. The Consejo operates a Jewish kindergarten.

Synagogues

Casa Hillel Guatemala City 01011 Reform http://www.casahillel.com/

Chabad Lubavitch of Guatemala City Website 14 Calle 15-26 Zona 13 Guatemala City 01013 Chabad Lubavitch Tel: 50-2-2485-0770 Fax: 50-2-2332-7059 http://www.chabadguatemala.com/

Comunidad Judia Guatemalteca 7a Avenida 13-51 Zona 9 Guatemala City Modern Orthodox Tel: 502 2360 1509 Fax: 502 360 1589 http://www.comunidadjudia.com/

Magen David Guatemala City Orthodox http://www.comunidadjudia.com/

Comunidad Judia Guatemalteca Apartado Postal 502, Guatemala, C.A. Tel. 502 2 311 975, Fax 502 2 325 683