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Paraguay will move its embassy back to Jerusalem by the end of the year, bringing to five the number of countries with embassies in the capital, Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday.

The confirmation came just hours after Paraguayan President Santiago Peña was officially inaugurated, and is a sign of growing support for Israel in Latin America. 

Israel will also reopen its embassy in Paraguay, according to the ministry, with bilateral ties between the two countries expected to be bolstered by the moves.

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen invited the Paraguayan leader to Israel for the official embassy opening in Jerusalem.

Paraguay first moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2018, following then-President Donald Trump’s lead and becoming the third country to do so after the United States and Guatemala. However, months later, the embassy was returned to Tel Aviv, setting off a diplomatic crisis with Israel. The surprise decision led Israel to shutter its embassy in Paraguay, citing harm the Paraguayan move had caused to bilateral relations.

On Saturday December 18, 2021 we were very excited to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Cuban Hebrew Congregation / Temple Beth Shmuel in a magnificent Gala event. The evening started with champagne and hors d oeurves in the cocktail room. Our guests were invited to walk in to a red carpet timeline gallery of pictures and descriptions from where it all began. Beginning in Cuba and coming to Miami, the success of the years in-between to today’s 60 years of celebration. This included a beautiful homage to Ofelia Ruder, The Presidents’ Wall and the Honor Wall which included Rabbi Dow Rozencwaig, Jack Chester, Isaac & Nieves Olemberg, Oscar & Rosa Boruchin and Lorenzo & Lucy Rozencwaig.

The evening continued in the beautiful Olemberg Ballroom where homage was made to the families that were instrumental in keeping the doors open and growing the community for the past 60 years. We invited Mayor Daniella Levin Cava of Miami Dade County and commissioners, Ms. Kristen Castillo presented a Proclamation to the Cuban Hebrew Congregation in honor of 60 years. In addition a special award was given to Becky Kobrowski-Cohen for her valuable contributions to the community. We also invited Mayor Dan Gelber of Miami Beach and commissioners  Vice Mayor David Richardson and commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez who presented a Proclamation naming Dec 18, 2021 Cuban Hebrew Congregation Day in honor of the 60thAnniversary. The following people were awarded appreciation certificates for their dedication to the community and to the Cuban Hebrew Congregation growth. The honorees are Avi Ashkenazi, Rosa Boruchin, Rachel Dubelman, Gaby Oleksnianski and Lucy Rozencwaig. A special award was given to Becky Kobrowski-Cohen in recognition for her vision and leadership that has helped the community and Cuban Hebrew Congregation.

After the presentations the party began with dinner, dancing, drinking and being entertained by the fabulous Melina Almodovar and her band. We were treated to a special rendition of Siboney by our own Baritone Rabbi Stephen Texon. Finishing the night we had a tribute to Cuba with Celia Cruz’s Life is a Carnival, maracas and Cuban coffee. If you were not dancing on the dance floor you were dancing in your chair.

We would like to thank all of you who have supported the Cuban Hebrew Congregation and the 60thAnniversary. This would not have been possible without you and our most generous sponsors; Mr. & Mrs. Roberto Olemberg, Brandon Insurance Company, Golden & Glaskow Attorney Firm, Ms. Rosa Boruchin, Ms. Lucy Rozencwaig, Cohen Family, Moncarz Family, Shaike Caterer, Bella Cuba Restaurant, Torah Treasure, Café La Llave, Cuban Cigars, Sentir Cubano, Goya, Little Habana Restaurant and Moises Bakery.

Due to the Covid restrictions and for the safety of our community we were only able to hold 100 guests seating. For all those who wanted to attend and were not able we thank you for your understanding and for your support as donations continue to come in. We will not be waiting another 10 years for our next celebration and we look forward to seeing you at our next cultural or social event.

The Jewish - Cuban community would like to thank the Mayor and Commissioners of the City of Miami Beach for their continued support.

Dear Friends,

As the President of Cuban Hebrew Congregation I must comment on the recent headlines and articles that were circulated among many Jewish publications regarding the state and future of Cuban Hebrew Congregation. 

A reporter who seems to be quite negative in her view of our Congregation called our Rabbi out of the blue and showed up on our doorstep on a Saturday while we were  conducting our Shabbat services. She showed up late but sat for the remainder of the services, she also took part in our kiddush following services. At the end of services she was quite insistent and "pushy" about an interview right there and then and proceeded to turn on her recording device which she manipulated on and off at will. My protestations of it being Shabbat and she can come during the week fell on deaf ears. She claimed this is the only opportunity she had available as she was leaving town and was expected someplace else. By the way she never interviewed the Rabbi which we thought was her purpose for contacting him in the first place.

Little did we know and now after publishing her infamous headlines that her intentions were less than honorable. I requested that she send us the article prior to publication which she did not do and which we find unprofessional and untrustworthy. This conduct on her part should have been an indication that she was not upfront about her purpose for coming to our Temple and she meant to do us harm.

Let me assure our friends and Jewish community that the headlines of our "struggling" and "future in jeopardy" and of our “premature demise” are greatly exaggerated and unfounded. It is true that at one time under different leadership we were suffering but NOT NOW. The truth is that our Congregation is doing better than ever. Under this current Administration and Board of Directors we are moving forward and finally are starting to see the "light at the end of the tunnel". 

After doing many improvements to the Temple and together with our new exclusive world renowned Chef and Kosher Caterer Shaike LLC, Venue2020 we are proud to say that we are again booking weddings, bar mitzvahs, conferences, tours, concerts and other major events with maximum participation and success. Not everything is about membership numbers or if our congregation has still many elderly congregants. They are people also and deserve respect and not the condescending and dismissive attitude exhibited in the article. 

The NEW Cuban Hebrew Congregation is moving in a new direction and expanding our horizons. We are focusing on becoming a Learning Center and we have much interest developing in this direction. Our facilities are perfect for it.

I want to reassure our friends and members that the "State of the Union" of our beloved Congregation is in great shape. Our finances are finally solid and our future looks bright. The finances of our Temple were never discussed with this reporter so where she got this information must be from parties who do not believe in our Congregation. 

Let me further assure everyone that Cuban Hebrew Congregation is NOT FOR SALE now or in the near future. If that ever becomes something the Board of Directors wants to entertain we will let our community know. 

All the rumors and innuendos as a result of the headlines and this article are just plain “Lashon Hara”. It is propagating unpleasant and harmful facts which is forbidden and a serious sin in the Jewish tradition. Please think before you speak and if you have any questions related to the article or our status, feel free to call the Temple office at 305-534-7213 but do not speculate on what is going on. You can speak with myself, Becky or any Board Member.

Join us for Shabbat Services and our Kiddush, we promise you will enjoy it.

Have a Blessed Shabbat. Shabbat Shalom,

With much love, Your President

Rachel Dubelman