The number of Jews in Cuba has increased exponentially since Constitutional revisions in 1992 guaranteed freedom of religion. My goal is to continue and improve documentation and cultural understanding of the rapidly changing Jewish communities that were considered taboo a decade ago.

The Revolution in 1959 nationalized businesses and confiscated property and assets. No one who participated in a religious community, including 15,000 Jews, was allowed to participate in the Communist Party. By most estimates, approximately 80% of the Jewish population fled, leaving only about 3,000 Jews that either did not want to or were not able to leave. The dynamics of the Jewish community which remained in Cuba changed dramatically. Many wealthy Jews and those in leadership positions were the first to leave. While the government did not want to specifically target Jews, they and others participating in religion were seen as enemies of the Revolution. The community dwindled and on most Shabbats they did not even have enough people to hold a service as Jewish law states that there must be ten men present (a minyan). Over time, the community became elderly and there was no new membership.

The years between 1980 and 1992, represent the most drastic change in the country’s ideology since the 1959 Revolution. The island went from dependency on the Soviet Union to an economic crisis which evoked austerity measures known as “the Special Period.” In order to solidify their nation once again and build a stronger support base for the Cuban Communist Party, the government agreed to make the shift from being an atheist country to one that is now secular and guarantees the freedom of religion as stated in the 1992 revised Constitution.

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