This past Monday, May 9, 2016 Congregation Kol Shearith Israel celebrated its 140th anniversary. The evening's festivities were remarkable with there being an overflow of members, friends and well wishers from all over the world attending this celebratory event of worship, speeches and singing, The congregation choir under the direction of Cantor Nurit Meresman-Azoulay provided a repertoire of devotional and celebratory melodies. Rabbi Gustavo Kraselnik guided the religious service and program with his usual aplomb.
Dignitaries from the Panamanian government attended including President Juan Carlos Varela and members of various religious groups in Panama. The President's speech was very well received by all in attendance. The evenings events ended by a rousing rendition of the Panama national anthem followed by a lovely reception in Melhado Social Hall.
In honor of this historic event the Panama Jewish Archives had its premier opening. Volunteers worked throughout the proceeding week to insure that the opening exhibit was assembled and shown. Archives visionary Lyanne Lindo Wassermann and husband Barry flew in from Florida, to work on the exhibit and son Marc and his wife traveled from London especially for the festivities.
Many congregation members generously either loaned or gave to the Archives significant and unique family mementos to be exhibited. Historic synagogue Torah finials were provided by Rabbi Kraselnik on behalf of the congregation, with framed Lindo, Fidanque, Maduro, and Valencia Sporer family trees being exhibited along with selected archival ledgers, historical family and synagogue photos and synagogue publications.
We welcome your interest and willingness to proved family documents to the Archives!
The Archives is open Fridays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm for visitors. Be sure to call the synagogue at 507.300.2080 or 507 300.2081 to announce your intention to visit or email: info@congksi.org.
In an effort to better inform the world Jewish community of Kol Shearith Israel, its 140th anniversary and the establishment of the Panama Jewish Archives the following article was written for the May 2016 semi annual Greater Miami Jewish Historical Society's newsletter Branches. The accompanying excerpted article is from the newsletter.
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