Casa Hillel

Okay Casa Hillel.  It’s hard to describe, but it is wonderful to be there!

It starts with two people.  Both man and wife grow up in a Catholic environment, never feeling comfortable or at home with the Church.  They both were searching for a spiritual path that was real to them, and they discovered a deep resonance with progressive Judaism.  They began to reach out to see if there were others “out there” who felt the same way.  Eventually a Reform Rabbi from the United States contacted them and agreed to help them develop a Jewish life and community.  They began the conversion program with this man, and others came and sought conversion as well.  The community is made up of around thirty souls, twenty adults, and ten youngsters from two months to nineteen years old.

Los Ninos with Chanukah candles

The first thing that strikes me when I meet these people to welcome the Shabbat on Friday night, is the positive energy they exude.  The teenagers in particular are amazing, kissing the mezuzah with reverence as they enter the modest house that serves as synagogue, and participating with energy and enthusiasm in all the rituals, songs, games and learning.  We lit the Chanukah candles, sang songs together, some that we brought, some that they knew, including a couple of Ladino songs, and some we knew together.  Then we lit Shabbat candles, said some more prayers, a short kiddush, motzi and we sat down to a dinner all together.  Then more songs and games of dreydl all around.  There was one table of adults – at least 8 people – and a table of youngsters – around 10, all playing and laughing and enjoying the holiday and each other.  It was such a joy!

Shabbat Services

Amy sharing

These people have so little, and are so rich in spirit.  They struggle to be accepted by the mainstream Jewish community in Guatemala, with almost no success.  There are some members of those communities who are friends and who come, but they are shunned by most because they say they are not really Jewish, the conversion was not “real”, and so on.  They are in the process of reaching out to the Reform Jewish community of all of Latin America, and may soon become a recognized Reform congregation representing the Reform movement in Guatemala. 

They have a lot to learn.  We are starting to help teach them Hebrew, more prayers for Shabbat, Torah portions, and so on.  They are open and receptive, and have put together their own Siddur with Hebrew, Spanish and transliteration.  They are leading services every Shabbat morning, have a Torah, an ark and a Torah table.  We spent the whole day together on Shabbat, arriving around 10 am, and not leaving until after Havdalah and food around 9 pm.  Two month old Sarita is the centre of attention, and a baby-naming with “Rabina Elyse” is upcoming.  They adore Rabbi Elyse Goldstein and are so grateful for the way she has embraced them over the past six months.  And Ardany will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah in November 2012, and we are trying to help him prepare for that.

Havdalah

 

We are so thankful for the opportunity of experiencing this wonderful community, and look forward to spending more Shabbatot with them over the next couple of months.