Dear friends,
During
Rosh Hashana services, many of you heard me announcing that we are
planning to visit Argentina and Brazil this year.
Why Argentina? Why
Brazil? Many of our grandparents came to the United States in the
beginning of the 20th century. However, not everybody was
able to get permission to enter the U.S.. Argentina was one of the few
countries who kept its doors open to Jewish immigrants until 1938.
Argentina's Jewish population is the largest Jewish community in Latin
America, the third-largest in the Americas (after the United States and
Canada), and the sixth-largest in the world. Today, the Jewish
population is estimated at about 230,000 to 250,000. The history of
the Jews in Brazil is a complex one. Jews started settling in Brazil
since the Inquisition, in the 16th century. After the first Brazilian
constitution in 1824 granted freedom of religion, the Jews again began
to slowly arrive in Brazil. In addition to that, waves of Jewish
immigration occurred during the rise of Nazis in Europe.
We
will visit Jewish sites as well as all major tourist attractions. As
always, this trip is designed for people of all ages. The dates of this
trip are February 19–29, 2012.
During
this trip we will see the amazing Iguassu Falls, in Brazil and
Argentina. We will visit the oldest synagogue in Argentina, as well as
enjoy a tango lesson and tango show. We will also visit some Jewish
sites in Rio as well as walk along the famous beaches and promenades of
Copacabana and so much more …
You
probably know that all of our previous trips to Israel, Russia, the
Ukraine, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic were great successes -
and this trip promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Please see the attached flyer as well as our website, and call or email me at cantor@templebethsholom.info if you are interested in participating or have any questions.
Join me on our upcoming trip to South America by clicking HERE:
www.ayelet.com/cantorsergeischwartzfebruary2012.aspx
B’shalom,
Cantor Sergei schwartz