A reunion occasion: Rosh Hashanah in Havana

The Jewish New Year

Rosh Hashanah is, par excellence, one of the most important holidays for the Jewish community in Havana, as well as for Jews worldwide, both in Israel and the Diaspora. The new year commemorates the day of the divine creation of man. In the Torah, God tells Moses that the people of Israel must observe the first day of the seventh month as a day of rest and mark it with the blowing of horns, which is why it is also known as Yom Teruah.

Each Jewish New Year marks the season of the Yamim Noraim (High Holy Days), during which humanity must reflect on its actions and remain in a state of introspection because it will be judged, and it will be determined who will be inscribed in the Book of Life.

Remembering history

Throughout the history of the Jewish community in Havana, there have been various practices for celebrating. This is due to the profound changes that have occurred in our nation, which inevitably affect the ways of carrying out the rituals. Both Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews before 1959 observed the High Holidays according to their customs, fulfilled the mitzvot associated with Rosh Hashanah, and transmitted the teachings from generation to generation (L'dor vador).

Although the experience of both groups differs, there are common aspects: attending synagogue for prayers and listening to the sound of the Shofar, performing Tashlich (casting off sins by throwing bread into water), and celebrating with a dinner. Most testimonies reflect that at that time, the meal was an intimate, family practice, although there are records of a first group dinner in the late 1950s at what is now the Patronato of the Hebrew Community of Cuba House.

Recent History: the Jewish Community of Havana.

Starting in the 1990s, the JDC began to accompany the Community's revitalization processes. This meant an organizational resurgence for Cuban Jews and marked a key moment when religious services began to be held regularly and the Chagim (holidays) became systematized. The commitment of the rabbi as the spiritual guide and advisor for all processes is especially noteworthy.

The commemoration of the High Holidays benefited greatly from this new phase, and we can list the most significant moments of Rosh Hashanah in recent history: in the mid-to-late 1990s, many young people began to congregate; at the beginning of the 21st century, children played a special role thanks to their training in the Kabalito religious project; during the COVID-19 isolation, we held an extremely moving online service; and of course, after the pandemic, when we met again, we celebrated the holiday with renewed energy.

Why is Rosh Hashanah in Havana so different, so special?

Cuban Jews enjoy a pleasant religious service, our hearts vibrate upon hearing the sound of the shofar, and we wish each other Shana Tova Umetuka. For some years now, these rituals have been led by members of our kehilah (community), most of them young people and teenagers, who take on the challenge with the necessary rigor and spirituality to ignite the inner essence of our souls, the Neshamah. Then we proceed to have a collective dinner where we bless the round Challah, share the food, eat apple with honey, and again chant the Shehecheyanu in gratitude for being all together at that moment.

Another very important element is that many members or people with Jewish ancestry who do not regularly attend synagogue come on that day (this also happens with Passover and Yom Kippur). It is the opportunity to see each other again, to share with family, closer together as a Community. Cuban Jews maintain a joyful attitude on this sacred day and avoid anger; we do not waste time on trivial matters. We prepare, remain calm, and maintain a positive and cheerful attitude towards all people, while preserving the seriousness and sanctity of the holiday. Rosh Hashanah is the occasion for reunion, where we share the soul and the sense of belonging; it is the way of saying "here we are: the Cuban Jewish Community."

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The editorial team of this blog wishes you a sweet and good year 5786. May we be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life.

SHANA TOVA UMETUKA
TIZKU LESHANIM RABOT
G'MAR CHATIMA TOVA