[lcikra00]

Hi,

Hoping someone can help me out with this one. We are Jewish and was wondering about Jews in Guatemala. Each time I visit I see an enourmous Jewish star statue (very close to La Casa Grande) and wonder about the Jewish religion there. Of course, I will do my own investigation, but was just wondering if anyone else knows so I can add to my info. Thanks!!!

[matthewsmom0505]

I have no idea, but it's interesting. I'm guessing it might be for an Embassy of some sort, but I really have no reason to think that there wouldn't be at least a few Guatemalans who are Jewish. Very interesting . . .

[Devora]

Yes, there is a notable Jewish population in Guatemala. Mostly immigrants from after WWII. There are both Ashkenazi and Sephardic communities there.

[dana3262]

Thank you for asking this, I have been wondering myself.

[guatparents2be]

the jewish population of guatemala is small, but there. a few years ago it was estimated at about 1200.

here are a few links i have on my computer.

The Virtual Jewish History Tour - Guatemala
http://www.haruth.com/JewsGuatemala.html.html

[Devora]

You might be interested in a couple of books by Victor Perera, a Sephardic Jew who grew up in Guatemala:

Rites: A Guatemalan Boyhood (memoir)
The Cross and the Pear Tree (a history of Sepharadic Jews told from the perspective of tracing his family's history)

Unrelated to Judaism, he also is the author of Unfunished Conquest: The Guatemalan Tragedy, which is one of the best books I've read about the history and politics of Guatemala. It really helped me to understand the complex dynamics today.

[mamaskoby]

We looked into it as well, my dh found this site;
chabadguatemala.org

They offer all the services as in the USA, so there must be a big community to service there.!

[Rhody]

The statue was a gift to Guatemala from Israel. Not sure what for.
We saw it too and asked about it.
At the time there was an Israeli couple at Casa Grande with us, and the father asked the Israeli embassy about it. (They were there a lot waiting for visa, etc.)
I believe the Jewish population is quite small. Catholic is predominant, but evangelical Christian is also becoming more popular. (We saw several billboards advertising services, etc., when we were there.)

[jenballen]

We were told that Guatemala cast the final vote at the UN to make Israel a country, and so as a thank you, Israel has been very supportive to Guatemala over the years.
Jennifer

[susy...patience]

Wow...thanks for this thread! I also saw the large Jewish star by Casa Grande and never knew why...you guys have really educated me.

[RCK816]

There's a synagogue near the Marriott or Westin--can't remember which since we stayed at both places, because my friend and her mother went there while on a visit trip with me. Our cab driver was Jewish and on a later trip, I noticed one of the women at the front desk at the Radisson was wearing a Star of David necklace.

[Lexi73]

Guatemala's vote for the creation of the State of Israel was decisive. Israel-Guatemala relations have been close ever since.

The Jewish community is small but well known. Many families that migrated in the beginning of the XX century and right after WWII built their homes in zona 10 and 9 (close to the synagogue on 7a avenida). Jewish businesses include CEMACO, Grand Tikal Hotel, and many textile, private security, and real estate companies. The Synagogue's school in zone 9 has an after school program for Jewish children as well as a regular pre-k and kindergarten program that is popular among Jewish and Catholics alike Most Jewish children then transition to the American School in zona 15 (one of the few lay schools in Guatemala in the 1950s and 60s, it has remained the favored school by the Jewish community).

There are two "classic" synagogues in Guate City, the one in zone 9 and an older one in zona 1. In recent years, a small Orthodox community has established in zona 14. According to my Jewish friends, the "Guate Jews" (aka those who descend from families that came in the 1920s - 1940s) do not have much contact with the new Orthodox communities. Small congregations have also formed in recent years, mostly by people who have re discovered their Jewish ancestry and converted to Judaism.

BTW, David's cross is also a popular symbol among Christians, so I wouldn't take it as a sign that someone is Jewish.

[TheFoxx]

There was also a story in Hadassa magazine with a Guatemalan Charosset recipe many months ago. HADASSAH - news : per_hadassah/archive/2008/08_apr/feature_1.asp