Guatemala: Adat Israel Gets Rid of Baggage, Ushers in 5776 גואטמלה
By Rabbi Eliot Baskin
The WUPJ was proud to have been able to arrange Rabbi Baskin's trip to Guatemala City's Progressive community, Adat Israel.
"After an awesome Shabbaton this past August with Adat Israel, the Reform congregation in Guatemala City, in conjunction with my rabbinic global justice fellowship at American Jewish World Service, I returned with my family to volunteer to lead the community for the 5776 Days of Awe.
First, we participated in a spirited Tashlich, with "traditional" Guatemala baguettes representing the baggage we wanted to get rid of before the New Year began, at a gorgeous tropical eco-park where we were serenaded by butterflies.
Bye Bye Baguettes: Adat Israel casts out its
baggage in anticipation of 5776.
Next, we sung nigunnim and swayed together to increase our kavanot for the Days of Awe. We sang Ein keloheimu in Ladino and Sanctuary Song, translated into Spanish by our enthusiastic soloist Rivka Orantes, from the Shir Chadash CD donated by the Hebrew Educational Alliance (HEA) synagogue where we daven in Denver, Colorado, USA.
.jpg)
Miles of Smiles: Adat Israel members gather
during the High Holidays.
The new trilingual Machzor, courtesy of Kulanu's generosity with gracious licensing from the WUPJ-affiliated Bnai Israel congregation of Costa Rica, made services easier to comprehend and meaningful for all, regardless of language.
I loved introducing the Amida by singing the Adonai sefatai tiftach in Hebrew, Spanish and English!
For our Yom Kippur haftarah discussion, I asked what would the prophet Isaiah say if he came to Guatemala City? Congregants weighed with their answers, including that Isaiah would advocate for electoral reform and social justice.
.jpg)
Torah Time: Rabbi Eliot Baskin (in blue tallit) leads a
study session at Adat Israel.
Just days after I returned, the congregation rose to the occasion of Chesed by donating to mudslide relief, heeding the prophetic call for justice.
While the greater Jewish community is continuing to dwindle from about 900 families, there is potential for the Reform community to grow among ex pats and spiritual seekers as the traditional community Centro Hebreica is now closed to the public at large.
Indeed, better integration with this Central American WUPJ affiliate would certainly strengthen the community by sharing resources and rabbinic leadership.
This community is particularly blessed to have the dedicated lay leadership of the Orantes family!
My family and I appreciated the warmth of Adat Israel and look forward to building on our Guatemalan friendships and serving other WUPJ congregations in the upcoming New Years!
Thank you to Adat Israel's Rabbi Elyse Goldstein for her gracious and insightful advice and leadership. Thank you also to Adrienne Rosen, who generously donated airline miles for my flight."
