Enter into an unknown world and culture.

Mission Statement

To promote religious tolerance and celebrate the indomitable human spirit – documenting the struggle, survival and rebirth of the Jewish Community in Cuba through a photography book, an international traveling exhibition and a video documentary.

Gallery

 

Get Involved

Your support for this project is greatly appreciated! Donations are fully tax deductible through our non-profit partner Building Bridges Art Exchange. Questions, suggestions and new contacts are more than welcome.
Email: martin@cubajudaism.org

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Cuba Judaism Video

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Jewish Cuba

In a world that is rife with discrimination and hate crimes, Cuba stands out as a country where antisemitism is virtually absent. Religious tolerance has become the standard after decades of oppression by the government. This project will explore faith and identity, tradition and resilience, culture and community, portrayed through the vision of award-winning Santa Monica based photographer Martin Cohen. The project has already earned the support of the three prominent synagogues in Havana: El Patronato de la Casa de la Comunidad Hebrea, El Centro Hebreo Sefaradi and Adath Israel de Cuba, the only orthodox synagogue on the island. Rabbi Shmuel Szteinhendler, Chief Rabbi of Cuba and regional director for Masorti Olami in Latin America, has also expressed his enthusiasm and support.

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With a deep commitment to maximize a universal message of religious tolerance and enhance the visibility of the Jewish community in Cuba, this initiative consists of three primary projects: a coffee-table art book, a traveling international photography exhibition, and an educational program.

 

Jewish Cuba: Art Book

This finely-crafted, high-quality art book will showcase Martin Cohen’s curated photographic survey of Jewish Cuba complemented by interviews and historic background.

Jewish Cuba: An international Photography Exhibition

A high-impact show will tour museums, galleries, synagogues, and educational institutions around the world. Potential venues for the premiere are The Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles; Beit Hatfutsot in Tel Aviv; and the Joods Historisch Museum in Amsterdam.

Jewish Cuba: Educational Program

A catalyst for critical thinking and cultural understanding, Jewish Cuba, through the transformative power of the arts, can be a platform for teaching at all levels. A video documentary will portray the photographer at work as well as documenting the Jewish community in Cuba – interviews with key members, the synagogues, services and family life.

    • K-12 Education
    • Photography/Arts Education Workshops and seminars

 

Cohen’s desire is to capture the heart and soul of the community, with intimate portraits of families both at home and at their temple. In addition to showing life and religious ceremonies at the three active synagogues in Havana, Jewish Cuba Renaissance is committed to exploring centers of Jewish culture outside the capital, documenting the smaller synagogues and culture centers spread over the island.

 
 
 
 

DONATE TO RENAISSANCE

All donations are tax deductible under the 501(c)(3) status of Building Bridges Art Exchange.

Thank you so much for supporting this exciting project!

 

Concept to Reality

Funding of the project will include grants, corporate and private sponsors.

Fundraising will kick off in September 2018 and continue through the end of 2019. The initial focus will be on capturing the photographs and designing the book as well as the traveling exhibition. The educational program is slated for the second half of 2020, which is also when the book will go to print.