March 2016 KSI Jewish Book Club Meeting: Living as a Jew in the Caribbean and Latin América

A Delightful Evening with Panamanian-American Jewish Author Marlena Maduro Baraf

On Tuesday night, March 28, 2016 the KSI Book Club held a fully attended discussion with KSI community daughter Marlena Mauro Baraf at the impressive home of Arthur Tepfer and his gracious wife Michaelle Beauzile. 

Twenty seven club members, guests and relatives who attended the meeting were delighted by the night’s proceedings. Marlena, visiting Panama for her aunt Adelaide Fidanque’s 100th birthday, took time out of her busy schedule to engage numbers in a discussion of her previous works as well as reading excerpts from her just completed memoir on growing up in Panama coupled with her Jewish identity. Accompanying her was husband Donald, whom was observed is her greatest fan.

Marlena next to husband and “greatest fan” Donald and Cousin Roy Maduro in From Aruba.

Over the course of two years, Marlena, has been a corresponding member of the Club from her home in New York’s Westchester County and is the only Panamanian Jewish author I have been able to find writing in a literary style the experience of growing up in Panama, along with her concerns for the future longevity of her Sephardic community she was nurtured in.

Her readings that evening were very poignant as she shared with us personal and family stresses of a young woman growing up with a troubled mother.  She also celebrates her extended family’s solidarity in support of her, brothers Carlos and Roberto and sister Patricia and the beauty of loving, caring cousins and aunts, and grandmothers. 

And oh, that most handsome cousin Johnny and his so beautiful dark eyed wife Julieta, both whom she celebrates in one of her other stories.

She also discussed her most current venture of writing a blog in the “Latino Voices”  section of  the online Huffington Post. 

An open and at times lively conversation followed with others present relating to general experiences of growing up as a Jew in Panama, and Jewish sensibilities as a minority in a majority Catholic country as well as American influences during those times of her youth.

Marlena addressing a “full house” of book club members and friends

It was agreed that, in response to one of her articles concerned with the survival of KSI and the Sephardic community of which she is a descendant, the community and synagogue are thriving and have a growing future.

And most importantly, Marlena was amongst family and friends here in Panama and we all felt connected to each other. 

It was a remarkable evening for its openness and candor and appreciated by all!

As soon as they are available the articles discussed this evening and not previously distributed will be sent to members.

First time attendees were Oren Rozen, Katie Sierra, Osvaldo (Ozzie) Dietez McKail, Bobby Halman and a welcome to Marlena’s niece Dr. Emily Maduro.

Thank you Marlena for a great evening!