2. Lobby Showcases:
Havana-gilah – Mitzvahs and Mojitos:
KI Travels to Cuba, January 2009
A Visual Memoir of a Visit to Cuba’s Jewish Community
A changing three part photo essay
In early January, 2009, Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Senior Rabbi at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel, (Elkins Park) led a congregational trip, a Religious Mission, to visit Jewish communities in Cuba. The trip was organized with the assistance of Miami-based, Jewish Solidarity, the leading charitable organization providing support to Cuba’s Jews. Approval of the US Treasury Department had to be secured in order for the trip to happen.
The purpose of the Mission was to deliver humanitarian aid to members of specific Jewish synagogues in Havana and outlying communities. In addition, it was important to connect personally with their members in order to encourage their attempts to rebuild Jewish life in Cuba. While organized Judaism is tolerated, there are severe limitations, imposed by the government, on the free expression of religious and cultural Judaism.
This installation documents that trip.
Click here for Photos from the Cuba Trip
Link to the Curator's statement