Myra Levy - President Sephardic Senior Center

On Shabbat morning, February 9th, we attended services at the other Synagogue in Havana, the Centro Hebreo Sefaradí (The Sephardic Center). The services were conducted in a fashion that had no congregational participation. Basically there was a lay reader who davened at the bima. Personally I do not see how this would be attractive to younger people. Even though this is supposed to be a Sephardic synagogue, its members are from both Sephardic and Ashkenazi backgrounds. There actually is no rivalry or competition between the Sephardic Center and the Patronato. The Patronato emphasizes youth services, houses a large library and the pharmacy. The Sephardic Center, houses the Mitrani Senior Center, which was established in October 2011. Mayra Levy, the President of The Senior Center told us that the center helps meet the needs of elderly members of the community by providing a range of workshops including exercise, art, and ceramic classes. This is where I bought a Challah cover for my Synagogue. Meals are provided and there is also help for the seniors to meet their emotional, psychological, social, and medical needs. The seniors receive a pension of approximately $12 a month and spend 80% of their income on food. Many are without a support network because family members have made Aliyah.

 

         THE SEPHARDIC CENTER

One of the entrances to the Center	Interior of what once was the main sanctuary. It is now being used for events and activities
Street view of side of building	Front view of Center
Services are now being held in smaller room	Open ark in room where services are now held

The Sephardic Center also houses the first permanent exhibit about the Holocaust as well as an exhibition on the settling, decline and rebirth of the Jewish Community in Cuba.