El Salvador
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The inhabitants of several small, very poor communities in south-central El Salvador greatly desire to connect with the international Jewish community, enabling them to deepen their religious knowledge and practice. Many of the approximately 260 community members are descendants of Anousim (Spanish and Portuguese Jews who fled the Inquisition and retained a remnant of their religious customs.) The rest are Jews by choice. Since 1989, through use of the Internet, the inhabitants of Armenia, with smaller groups in Nauisalco and the capital San Salvador, have learned Jewish prayers, customs, and practices, becoming Shomer Shabbat (keepers of the Sabbath) and Shomer Mitzvot (observant of Jewish responsibilities), praying three times daily and observing Jewish festivals and holidays.
Kulanu has supported this remarkable community by twice sending Rabbi Aaron Rehberg, himself a descendant of Anousim, from Israel to be a mentor and teacher. Rabbi Rehberg has instructed the community about prayer, laws of ritual purity, ritual slaughter practices, and teacher training for the growing Sunday school. With the help of Kulanu, the Rabbi purchased a computer for the Jewish community of Armenia in order to continue his work via Skype from his home in Israel.
Armenia is about 25 miles from the main airport in El Salvador. The community eagerly welcomes volunteers, especially Spanish speakers, for short periods to teach Hebrew and religion. To apply, first click here to find out more, then follow the application instructions found on this Overseas Volunteer Opportunities page. Thank you!
Rabbi Rehberg, Kulanu's coordinator for El Salvador, may be reached at kulanu.org/contact (choose "regional coordinators - El Salvador" in the first field) for all questions regarding the community and its needs. Contributions to support the Jews of Armenia may be made online through our El Salvador fundraising page, or check out other ways to give at kulanu.org/donate. See the "wish list" below for Judaic items that the community is seeking.
Thank you for your support!
Articles and Links
- El Salvador Purim 2012 Project Progress Report (2012)
- Proposal for Rabbi Aaron Rehberg's Purim visit to El Salvador (2012)
- Growing Jewish Education in Armenia, El Salvador Rabbi Aaron Rehberg (2011)
- A Jew by Choice: From El Salvador to Milan to Jerusalem Meir Yehoshua Torres (2011)
- El Salvador Jewish Community Emerges From Centuries of Isolation and Assimilation Rabbi Aaron Rehberg (2011)
- El Salvador Wish List (2011)
