Can I visit a synagogue, or Jewish congregation/community while in Cuba?
Yes, it is possible to visit a synagogue or Jewish congregation/community while in Cuba provided the visit is part of the traveler’s full-time schedule of educational exchange activities authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
While insightCuba is authorized to provide these visits, most insightCuba tours, except for our custom group tours inclusive of Jewish delegations, does not include visits to synagogues or Jewish congregations/communities as part of its normal tour schedule due very limited scheduling ability among the congregation.
Therefore, if you wish to visit a synagogue or Jewish congregation/community while in Cuba, you will need to contact them directly to see if they have availability during times when you are not required to participate in the full-schedule of educational exchange activities as part of your tour, and required by OFAC. Typically free time is in the evening however most congregations have family and work commitments then. (Please see below for pertinent contact information)
Similar to synagogues and congregations in the United States, availability and access to the public may be limited. Visits by non-congregational members need to be scheduled and with a purpose. Visits are at the discretion of the synagogue or congregation. Please be understanding and note that due to the influx of Jews from the United States, as a result of the religious and people-to-people license categories, visits by individuals are increasingly difficult to obtain.
If you do plan on visiting a synagogue or Jewish congregation/community, donations in CUC's are welcome. Please use the contact information below to learn what is needed.
Please address any inquiries to visit the Jewish community in Cuba to:
El Patronato - La Casa de la Comunidad Hebrea de Cuba
Synagoga Beth Shalom (Conservative)
Calle I esquina 13, Vedado, Ciudad de la Habana
Phone 53-7-832-8953
Fax: 53-7-33-3778
Email: beth_shalom@enet.cu or patronato_ort@enet.cu
Contact: Adela Dworin, president
Havana Synagogues
Sinagoga Beth Shalom (Conservative)
Calle I esquina 13, Vedado, Ciudad de la Habana
Phone 53-7-832-8953
Fax: 53-7-33-3778
Email: beth_shalom@enet.cu or patronato_ort@enet.cu
Contact: Adela Dworin, president
Other Synagogues in Havana (not all are open):
Centro Sefaradi (Conservative)
Calle 17 esquina E, Vedado, La Habana
Phone: 53-7-832-6623 or 53-5-272 6486
E-mail: judiosefarad@yahoo.com
or visit http://sefaradicuba.com/en, go to the contact section to send them a message
Chevet Achim (not active or open)
Inquisidor entre Luz y Santa Clara
Habana Vieja
La Habana 10100
Phone: 53 (7) 8 32-6623
Adath Israel (Orthodox)
Picota 52 esquina Acosta
Habana Vieja, La Habana
Phone: 53 (7) 861-3495
E-mail: adath@ip.etecsa.cu
Synagogue in Santa Clara
Comunidad Tikun Olam
Santa Clara, Villa Clara
Phone: (53) (422) 74280
Contact: David Tacher, president
Synagogue in Camaguey
Comunidad Hebrea Teferit Israel
Andres Sanchez #365 e/ Capdevila Y Joaquin Aguero
Camaguey
(322) 84639 or (322) 291794
Synagogue in Caibarién
Comunidad Hebrea de Caibarién (near remedios)
Calle 16 # 1719
Phone: 53 42 33544
President: Berta Levy
Vice president: Julio Rodriguez Eli
