Article about Bet El Congregation, Madrid, SPAIN.

Suggested Editor’s note/introduction:

The History of Spanish Jewry can best be described as turbulent. The Iberian Peninsula, once a religious, cultural and economic hub of the Jewish people, saw the Spanish Inquisition eliminate most of the Jewish population beginning in the year 1478. For approximately 400 years, few Jews lived in what has been termed the “cradle of Sephardic Judaism.” Jews began returning to Spain after the Inquisition was abolished in the 19th century. By the end of the 20^th Century, an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 Jews lived in Spain, out of the total Spanish population of some 40 million. In recent months, the economic crisis in Argentina has caused many Argentines (Jewish and non-Jewish) to flee their country. Spain is a preferred destination of many of these economic refugees and, as a result, the Jewish population of Spain has dramatically increased since January 2002. Masorti Olami (the worldwide office of the Masorti/Conservative movement) recognized the extraordinary opportunity for growth in Bet El, the fledgling Spanish Masorti community, and elected to send two shlichim, Rebecca Hoffman and Eytan Hammerman to assist in the development of this community. They recently reported on the first months of their work:

To: Friends and Family

From: Eytan and Rebecca

As you may know, Masorti Olami has assigned us to volunteer in Madrid, Spain as a part of an ongoing effort to support fledgling Masorti/Conservative communities around the world. We were sent to Bet El with the charge to recreate the vibrant Jewish community that many of the recent immigrants left behind in Argentina. In particular, we were asked to develop a youth group and a “MAROM” social and educational outlet for young adults.

We arrived in Madrid on October 1 not knowing what to expect. After a warm welcome into this tight-knit Jewish community, we immediately began our work by assessing the needs and growth opportunities presented by the influx of new immigrants. We immediately saw that the community is thirsty for Jewish education and communal activities.

Our initial assignments, assisting the youth and young-adult populations, got off to a rapid start. Our teenage group has taken part in social activities – bowling, a scavenger hunt and movie-night – as well as educational programs – menorah making, tree “building” for Tu Bishvat and a Chanukah Torch relay. The younger children have made Chanukah decorations, participated in “tot Shabbat” programs and planted a Bet-El garden in honor of Tu Bishvat. A Jewish teen choir will begin meeting in January.

Marom, our young-adult group, is growing quite rapidly as people in their 20s and 30s, single or recently married, are more inclined to take the risk of moving to a new country. We have offered cultural programs for this age group including a “wine tasting” evening in our home and a Chanukah party that had some fifty young people. Fourteen members of the Spanish Jewish community took part in a birthright Israel in late December.

We have been very successful with these and other communal activities including day trips, guest speakers, communal Shabbat dinners, Hebrew classes, holiday programming and family activities. At each event, we are approached by community members so grateful for the community framework that we have begun to establish. Community members are now organizing programs themselves, a critical step in ensuring the long-term growth of Bet El.

Despite the positive outlook and energy in the community, the community is facing some serious problems. Only twelve months ago, weekly Kabbalat Shabbat services rarely saw more than twenty people. Now, over seventy people cram into our borrowed office space with dozens of new families expected in the coming months (summer is just beginning in Argentina). We are desperately searching for a new space and the necessary funds to support the rent, furniture and supplies.

We have been touched by the bravery and courage and of the families that we have met. The established families in Madrid have gone out of their way to create an intimate atmosphere at Bet El that makes newcomers feel like they are a part of something wonderful. We have heard many new members say over and over, “We are the same everywhere. I need the Jewish community. It is like my family. This community makes me feel like I can go on.” We have a long way to go before we will have all of the “things” that are needed to be a “real” synagogue, but with the energy and commitment of the people, they are well on their way and we are honored to be a part of the reemergence of an active Jewish community in Madrid.

Please follow the progress of Bet El via our website (in Spanish or English) www.bet-el.org and stay in touch with us at Rebecca@hammerhoff.com

Article about Bet El Congregation, Madrid, SPAIN.

Suggested Editor’s note/introduction:

The History of Spanish Jewry can best be described as turbulent. The Iberian Peninsula, once a religious, cultural and economic hub of the Jewish people, saw the Spanish Inquisition eliminate most of the Jewish population beginning in the year 1478. For approximately 400 years, few Jews lived in what has been termed the “cradle of Sephardic Judaism.” Jews began returning to Spain after the Inquisition was abolished in the 19th century. By the end of the 20^th Century, an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 Jews lived in Spain, out of the total Spanish population of some 40 million. In recent months, the economic crisis in Argentina has caused many Argentines (Jewish and non-Jewish) to flee their country. Spain is a preferred destination of many of these economic refugees and, as a result, the Jewish population of Spain has dramatically increased since January 2002. Masorti Olami (the worldwide office of the Masorti/Conservative movement) recognized the extraordinary opportunity for growth in Bet El, the fledgling Spanish Masorti community, and elected to send two shlichim, Rebecca Hoffman and Eytan Hammerman to assist in the development of this community. They recently reported on the first months of their work:

To: Friends and Family

From: Eytan and Rebecca

As you may know, Masorti Olami has assigned us to volunteer in Madrid, Spain as a part of an ongoing effort to support fledgling Masorti/Conservative communities around the world. We were sent to Bet El with the charge to recreate the vibrant Jewish community that many of the recent immigrants left behind in Argentina. In particular, we were asked to develop a youth group and a “MAROM” social and educational outlet for young adults.

We arrived in Madrid on October 1 not knowing what to expect. After a warm welcome into this tight-knit Jewish community, we immediately began our work by assessing the needs and growth opportunities presented by the influx of new immigrants. We immediately saw that the community is thirsty for Jewish education and communal activities.

Our initial assignments, assisting the youth and young-adult populations, got off to a rapid start. Our teenage group has taken part in social activities – bowling, a scavenger hunt and movie-night – as well as educational programs – menorah making, tree “building” for Tu Bishvat and a Chanukah Torch relay. The younger children have made Chanukah decorations, participated in “tot Shabbat” programs and planted a Bet-El garden in honor of Tu Bishvat. A Jewish teen choir will begin meeting in January.

Marom, our young-adult group, is growing quite rapidly as people in their 20s and 30s, single or recently married, are more inclined to take the risk of moving to a new country. We have offered cultural programs for this age group including a “wine tasting” evening in our home and a Chanukah party that had some fifty young people. Fourteen members of the Spanish Jewish community took part in a birthright Israel in late December.

We have been very successful with these and other communal activities including day trips, guest speakers, communal Shabbat dinners, Hebrew classes, holiday programming and family activities. At each event, we are approached by community members so grateful for the community framework that we have begun to establish. Community members are now organizing programs themselves, a critical step in ensuring the long-term growth of Bet El.

Despite the positive outlook and energy in the community, the community is facing some serious problems. Only twelve months ago, weekly Kabbalat Shabbat services rarely saw more than twenty people. Now, over seventy people cram into our borrowed office space with dozens of new families expected in the coming months (summer is just beginning in Argentina). We are desperately searching for a new space and the necessary funds to support the rent, furniture and supplies.

We have been touched by the bravery and courage and of the families that we have met. The established families in Madrid have gone out of their way to create an intimate atmosphere at Bet El that makes newcomers feel like they are a part of something wonderful. We have heard many new members say over and over, “We are the same everywhere. I need the Jewish community. It is like my family. This community makes me feel like I can go on.” We have a long way to go before we will have all of the “things” that are needed to be a “real” synagogue, but with the energy and commitment of the people, they are well on their way and we are honored to be a part of the reemergence of an active Jewish community in Madrid.

Please follow the progress of Bet El via our website (in Spanish or English) www.bet-el.org and stay in touch with us at Rebecca@hammerhoff.com