KSI Jewish Literature Book Club long distance member Barbara Rabkin, a transplant from Cincinnati, Ohio, living in Boquete, decided that it was time to reach out to Jews living in Chiriqui province for the purpose of seeing if there was intersect in organizing Jewish programs. To this effect she crafted the name JCC (Jewish Community of Chriqui) to identify her effort and then invited interested residents to attend an introductory meeting. This would be the first major gathering of Jews since the closing of Magen David Synagogue in David in the 1980’s. Little did she know that 100 individuals responded and would eventually attend.
On February 9, 2016 the meeting was held at the Boquete Public Library. In addition to local residents there were number Panama City residents, including KSI members Patricia Maduro and Ernest Motta.
The two hour program’s introductory theme was titled: The Jewish Community of Panama –past, present, future. And in Barbara’s own words: “it seemed the time had come to try again to reach out to the Jewish community and invite the whole community to discover: what has been our history in Panama, how and why did we get here , what is our present and future “.
Invited to present were Robert Jacobvitz who gave am overview of the history of the Jewish Community in Panama, drawn from his activities with the KSI sponsored Panama Jewish Oral History Project, and the Panama Jewish Literature Club “Living as Jew in the Caribbean and Latin America”.
Joining Robert in his presentation were Ernest Motta, a Boquete organizing committee member and participant in the book club and Patricia Maduro also a book club member and oral history project manager for community outreach.
(Below) Robert Jacobvitz describing a Jewish literature book club meeting held at Rita Sasso’s home where her family tree is being shared.
Additionally, Jacob Poliwoda from Congregation Beth El a rabbinic student studying under the direction of Rabbi Aaron Laine, shared various stories underscoring the joy of Yiddishkeit, the value of living a Jewish life. Also, as an accomplished violinist he played a rendition of Jewish music, which was warmly received. Accompanying him for the day was his wife Hannah, who assisted with the day’s program.
In addition to the underwriters listed below, the day’s event received generous contributions in the form of fruits, bakery products and supplies from Cerro Punta (Rebecca Perelis) and Jeffrey’s Bakery (Jeffrey Paul) and PriceSmart ( Robert and Allyson Price).
Since the inaugural meeting the group is planning a Hamantaschen baking class, taught by Barbara, March 20, 2016 at Morton’s Bakehouse, San Francisco Plaza, Alto Boquete, 10am to 12 noon and the premier Panama showing of the film Auschwitz Escape: The Klara Wizel Story at the Boquete Library, March 23, 2016 from 3-5 pm.
In Barbara’s closing communication she wrote to Robert: “Thank you so much for providing the spark to get us moving forward. I have received so many notes of appreciation for the February program. ”
The event proved to be a unique opportunity for Jews to help other Jews in Panama, especially with the coming together of representatives from Kol Shearith Israel, Beth El and the Jewish Community of Chiriqui (JCC). I look forward toward collaborating again for the betterment of the Panamanian Jewish community!
Thank you Barbara for allowing me to perform the mitzvah of helping fellow Jews and to Yaakov for your optimism and good cheer and Hannah for your quiet and steading contributions.
JEWISH COMMUNITY OF CHIRIQUE (JCC) SPONSORS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND GUESTS
Underwriter, Peter Stering, underwriter, Sharon and Sid Estrin, underwriters, Barbara Rabkin and Morton Rabkin , underwriters, Karen Dubitsky , committee, Joel Dinerman, underwriter, Ingrid and Richard Charbit, underwriters, Hannah and Yakov Poliwoda, speaker, Robert Jacobvitz, speaker, Ernest Motta, committee.
Questions/Comments: robert.jacobvitz@sbcglobal.net
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