La B´nai B´rith Carlos Zelenka realizó el Conversatorio "El Judaísmo una Revolución esencial"

La Logia Carlos Zelenka de la B'nai B'rith, el pasado miércoles 7 de Septiembre, tuvo como invitado especial a Moises Garzón Serfaty, destacado escritor, ex-dirigente de la Comunidad Judia de Venezuela y Vice Presidente del Congreso Judío Mundial,quien disertó sobre el tema: "El Judaísmo una Revolución Esencial", ante un selecto auditorio, reunido en el salón Melhado de KSI, generándose un interesante y ameno debate al final de la charla por parte de los asistentes donde se destacaron los valores de la solidaridad y la apertura e inclusión del Pueblo Judío. La presentación estuvo a cargo de Natan Zaidman Presidente entrante de la Logia.

Voluntariado de KSI para el Banco de Alimentos de Panamá

Servicios infantiles para Rosh Hashaná 5777

Hermandad KSI recorre el país con su proyecto de Tzedaká (Video)

Cerca de 10 mil unidades de ropa para niños y adultos fueron entregadas por la Hermandad Kol Shearith Israel a comunidades necesitadas de todo el país. El proyecto se realizó gracias al apoyo de la empresa Durex y al trabajo voluntario de decenas de miembros de nuestra Congregación.

El proyecto que se desarrolló durante meses comenzó con un intenso trabajo de clasificación, inventario, arreglo y limpieza de algunas piezas y empaque por parte de nuestros voluntarios quienes donaron de su tiempo para alcanzar esta meta.

Reé 5776 - English

By Rabbi Dario Feiguin

B´nei Israel Congregation, Costa Rica

Elul: Customs and Traditions

Today is Rosh Chodesh Elul. 

In four weeks, we will be saying goodbye to the year on the eve of Rosh Hashanah.  

Tradition calls upon us to prepare in various ways, so that we may take advantage of this opportunity that comes only once a year, to perform our spiritual balance and to feel that renewal is possible.  

Perhaps the first one is to study: to sit and read to know what it is we are going to do and to soften the soul.  

Along with studying, there are several customs for these days.  Starting today and until the eve of Rosh Hashanah, every morning we finish the daily service of Shacharit with a Tekiyah on the Shofar.  According to commentators, this penetrating archaic sound comes to awaken our being from an emotional and spiritual slumber.  It comes to remind us that no matter the sophistication that we have today from comfort and technology, the purest virginal part of the human being is many times eclipsed and opaque: our ability to love, feel and dream.  

Reé 5776

Los rabinos de la UJCL escriben sobre la Parashá de la semana

Rabino Darío Feiguin

Congregación B´nei Israel, Costa Rica

Elul: costumbres y tradiciones

Hoy es Rosh Jodesh Elul. 

Dentro de cuatro semanas estaremos despidiendo el año en la víspera de Rosh Hashaná.

La tradición nos llama a prepararnos de muchas maneras a fin de que aprovechemos esta oportunidad que se nos presenta sólo una vez al año, para hacer nuestro balance espiritual y sentir que es posible renovarse.

Tal vez lo primero que se nos sugiere es el estudio: sentarnos y leer, para saber que es lo que vamos a hacer, y para ir ablandando el alma.

Junto con el estudio, hay varias costumbres que se practican en estos días. A partir de ahora y hasta la víspera de Rosh Hashaná, todas las mañanas, finalizamos el servicio diario de Shajarit con una Tekiá del Shofar. Según los comentaristas, este sonido arcaico y penetrante, viene precisamente a despertar nuestro ser del sueño emocional y espiritual. Viene a recordarnos que por más sofisticaciones que acompañen nuestros días, desde el confort y la tecnología, lo más puro y virgen del ser humano queda muchas veces opacado y eclipsado: nuestra capacidad de amar, de sentí, de soñar.

English Speaking Community Members Report. September 2, 2106

KSI Book Club Members and Friend invited to the West Indian Museum of Panama for a book Presentation and Lunch.

On Wednesday, August 17, 2016 the KSI Jewish Literature Book Club: Living as a Jew in the Caribbean and Latin America members were privileged to be hosted by the members of the West Indian Museum of panama, Society De Amigos Museo Afroantillano De Panama (SAMAAP) at their delightful building at the intersection s of corner Calle 24 Esta and Avenida Justo Arosemena, directly across the street from the Cinco de Mayo Metro Station.

This meeting was the third of a series of meetings between two communities in Panama who want to share their stories with the younger members of their community and preserve their heritage so others will know and appreciate their history in this country.

La B´nai B´rith Carlos Zelenka invita al Conversatorio "El Judaísmo una Revolución esencial"

KSI English Speaking Community Column

English Speaking Community Members are Active as Leaders of the Sisterhood.

On Tuesday, August 16, 2016 the Sisterhood held its Annual Meeting with the installation of the new Officers and Board Members with President Rita Sasso welcoming all guests to the meeting.

A review of the past years accomplishments was presented as well as plans for the coming year. It was evident by those presenting that membership in the Sisterhood is a very rewarding experience, since the Sisterhood has contributed significantly to the betterment of many communities and social service agencies throughout Panama by its honorable practice of Tzedaká.

 President Sasso presents the Sash of Office & Presidents Gavel to new President Dayra Bern

Ekev 5776 - English

Rabbi Gustavo Kraselnik

Congregacion Kol Shearith Israel

Nearly at the end of Parashat Ekev, we get the second of the three paragraphs from the Torah that make up the Shema Israel, which is known by its initial words: Vehaya Im Shamoa (Deut. 11:13-21). 

According to the Mishnah (Tamid 5:1), the three passages from the Shema were recited daily in the liturgy of the Second Temple.  

Rabbi Joshua ben Karha explains in the Talmud (Brachot 13a) that the first paragraph of the Shema (Deut. 6:4-9) precedes the passage in our Parashah because the person needs to accepts first the yoke of the kingdom of heaven, “Ol Malchut Shamayim”, meaning the recognition of divine sovereignty, to then be able to accept “Ol Hamitzvot”, the yoke of the precepts.