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El presidente de Israel, Yitzhak Herzog, se reunió este jueves con el Papa León XIV en el Vaticano, en una visita diplomática que resaltó el diálogo interreligioso y los esfuerzos regionales por la paz, informó Arutz Sheva.

Tras la reunión, Herzog expresó su gratitud al pontífice: “Estoy profundamente agradecido al Papa León XIV por la cálida bienvenida que me ha brindado hoy en el Vaticano“, dijo.

Al abordar la crisis en Gaza, Herzog recalcó el compromiso de Israel para lograr la liberación de los rehenes en manos de Hamás. “Por encima de todo, Israel se esfuerza por todos los medios posibles para traer a casa a los rehenes brutalmente cautivos por Hamás. Israel anhela el día en que los pueblos del Medio Oriente, los Hijos de Abraham, vivan juntos en paz, compañerismo y esperanza”.

Herzog hizo un llamamiento a los líderes religiosos: “Todos los líderes religiosos y de buena voluntad deben unirse para pedir la liberación inmediata de los rehenes como primer paso esencial hacia un futuro mejor para toda la región”.

El Presidente reafirmó el compromiso de Israel con la libertad religiosa y la protección de las comunidades cristianas en la región. “El Estado de Israel está comprometido con la libertad religiosa para todas las confesiones y decidido a seguir trabajando por la paz, la tranquilidad y la estabilidad en toda la región. Israel se enorgullece de su comunidad cristiana y se dedica a garantizar la seguridad y el bienestar de las comunidades cristianas en Tierra Santa y en todo el Medio Oriente“.

Para finalizar, Herzog elogió los esfuerzos del Papa para promover la paz. “La inspiración y el liderazgo del Papa en la lucha contra el odio y la violencia, y para promover la paz en todo el mundo, son valiosos y vitales. Espero profundizar nuestra cooperación para un futuro mejor de justicia y compasión”.

El Vaticano calificó la reunión de “cordial” y señaló en un comunicado que durante el encuentro del Papa León XIV con el presidente Yitzhak Herzog, “se prestó atención especial a la guerra en Gaza , y el pontífice pidió alcanzar con urgencia un alto al fuego permanente en Gaza“, informó The Times of Israel.

El Papa expresó su deseo de “una rápida reanudación de las negociaciones para que, con buena voluntad y decisiones valientes, y con el apoyo de la comunidad internacional, se pueda lograr la liberación de todos los rehenes, alcanzar un alto al fuego permanente con urgencia, facilitar el ingreso seguro de la ayuda humanitaria a las zonas más afectadas y garantizar el pleno respeto del derecho humanitario, junto con las legítimas aspiraciones de ambos pueblos”.

Afirmó además que “una solución de dos Estados es la única salida de la guerra actual”.

Planteó la cuestión de las relaciones entre las oficinas gubernamentales israelíes y la Iglesia Católica en Israel, “con especial atención a la importancia de las comunidades cristianas y su compromiso, tanto a nivel local como en todo el Medio Oriente, con el desarrollo humano y social, especialmente en las áreas de educación, el avance de la cohesión social y la estabilidad regional”.

January 2025

Dear Cuban Hebrew members:

My name is Josephine Casillas, I am a member of this synagogue since 2008. It is an honor to be the new Cuban Hebrew Congregation  of Miami,  Inc. President. I want to thank you, for the opportunity to serve as your new President of this beautiful Synagogue, I especially I want to thank our former Madam President, Ms. Becky Koprowski-Cohen for her hard work and support to this synagogue.

Becky was an example of our awakening and joyful reconnecting with one another. She revived spirits and increased our Shabbat attendance. The feedback we are receiving from attendees is that our services are thoughtful and inspiring, thank you to Rabbi Texton for his contribution to our spiritual life.

Our Social services and Worship continue to lead us through our current community congregations with excellent programs, speakers, sermons, events, workshops and reading assignments. Our congregation voted and elected me as the new Cuban Hebrew Congregation Inc. President, I want to thank you, for it. I am honored to serv this congregation with few but devoted members and friends who signed the petition and remind members of the importance of voting.

Our congregation, Last year, helped improve the lives of our community, and member of our congregation.

So, what are the new initiatives and future?

We are working on implementing new projects. Always with the community in mind, we are planning to join with other organizations to aid our elderly community, below are sample of future programs, projects.

· Work with USDA Department to provide food distribution to the community.

·  Housing, Rent, Immigration, Electricity social services Referrals

· Concerts, Cultures and Social Programs.

· Work with other organizations for innovative programs/projects for the Community.

· Rabbi Texon will continue work with Torah studies, and conversion classes.

· We will continue with City of Miami Beach events.

We will work on grants if available to hire a part-time specialist who will upgrade our website and social media platforms. to gain the attention of anyone looking for a spiritual home. We want our website to capture who we are and highlight everything we have to offer; we will reveal details soon.

With Hashem help, we are committed to meet the challenges of becoming more active community partners in social justice work, increasing our membership and therefore our income to meet our needs as well as continuing to improve our spiritual life, we need everyone to bring their energy, time, talents and ideas to help us on this journey.

Truthfully,

Josephine Casillas

President, 2025

Cuban Hebrew Congregation Inc.

 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.