Conversion Ceremony for Remote Communities in Cuba

In March 2004, a conversion ceremony took place for thirty-seven people in four communities from the eastern part of Cuba: Manzanillo, Campechuela, Santiago de Cuba and Guantanamo. This was a unique and profoundly moving experience, since after so many years of active community involvement they were ready for this important step in their lives.

Initiated in July 2003, the Conversion Program was fully implemented, supervised and supported by the JDC. Meetings took place every fifteen days with an intensive Sunday Seminar at the Synagogue of Santiago de Cuba, the only synagogue that exists on that part of the Island. Although Manzanillo and Campechuela are five hours away, both communities actively participated in the classes.

Rabbi Shmuel Szteinhendler from Argentina supervised the Course of Studies which included subjects ranging from Jewish History, Cycle of Jewish Life, Traditions, Holidays, Liturgy, and many other topics. The lessons were taught by the JDC representatives in Cuba together with the three most experienced teachers of the Sunday School in Havana. After each lesson the participants received a folder containing material related to the subjects, and also a reading guide that would help them with their understanding of the texts. Another purpose of these materials was to create small libraries at every home and provide them with material for consultation.

Finally, after eight months of hard studying and exams, the big day arrived. On Monday March 22, 2004 three rabbis arrived in Santiago de Cuba: Rabbi Shmuel Szteinhenlder from Chile, Rabbi Salomon Nussbaum from Argentina and Rabbi Gustavo Kraselnik from Panama. In addition to the classes and studying, nine men and three boys underwent circumcisions in their local hospitals, between July and March. The Rabbis arrived at the synagogue and Rabbi Nussbaum, who is also a Mohel, ended the Brit Milah process with the Atafath Dam Brith of the men and children.

Then the Beit Din began. Everyone felt a deep spiritual sense of Judaism, as it seemed as if the figures of our patriarchs, matriarchs, prophets and many other protagonists of the Tradition of the Jewish People were there with the proud Jewish Community of Cuba. Eight children - three boys and five girls - and twenty-nine adults - nine men and twenty women - were about to take that gigantic step in their lives of becoming full members of the Jewish people.

At the close of the ceremony, the beautiful Caribbean Sea was used as a big mikveh for the four communities. After submerging in the sea, everyone recited the blessings. In that way, the waters gave birth to these new members of the Israelite People.

Afterwards, everyone returned to the synagogue and was blessed by the three Rabbis under a huppah of three talitim that covered and protected them as one. They heard the sound of the shofar while tears streamed down everyone's faces.