Inaugural JCC Cuba Mission Exceeds Expectations
2009 & 2010 Mission Dates Slated
Several community members recently returned from the JCC’s April Mission to Cuba and shared moments of friendship, renewal, hope, and remembrance.
Some of the highlights of the trip included:
A visit to the Patronato in Cuba where Israel's day of remembrance was observed and a joyous celebration in honor of Israel at 61 followed with Hebrew songs and Israeli dancing and 150 members of the Cuban Jewish Community who on behalf of the JCC received a donation of two hundred Israel and Cuba flag lapel pins; Shabbat services were attended followed by a pre-Havdalah pool party where teens from the Cuban Jewish community were hosted; the group went to the fruit and vegetable market and bought countless bags of fresh produce and flowers and took them to the Sephardic Congregation for distribution to its members. Each member in attendance took home more than two bags of much needed and welcomed food items; the group made up over sixty bags filled with toiletries and cosmetics with items they had brought from the US and also acquired in Cuba. These bags were given to the President of the Women's group to be distributed for Mother's Day. (The president of the women's group told me that they had nothing in house to give the women and that our generous spirit will not be forgotten by those who receive the bags.)
At the Jewish Cemetery in Guanabacoa the group performed the Mitzvah of cleaning up grave sites and upon seeing the poor condition of the children’s section collected funds to repair and rebuild 20 grave sites - the area will be called the JCC Children's Garden. As time goes by, our forthcoming Missions will also continue to rebuild and repair this section. As one member of the group sated: "I have never felt so happy, pleased and sad at the same time." Many mitzvahs were completed toward helping our Jewish brothers and sisters, some leaders of the Cuban Jewish Community expressed to Mission guide, Miriam Levinson that while other Jewish groups visit the island, the JCC groups’ deeds touch the soul of the Cuban Jewish Community.
The Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC has planned two additional Cuba Mission trips for November 11-19, 2009 & February 10-18, 2010.
A meeting for those interested in participating has been set for Thursday, July 17 at 7:00 pm in the Soref Community Hall. To RSVP or for additional information contact Mona Cohen at mcohen@jccmilwaukee.org or 414-967-8249.
