The United Hebrew Congregation Cemetery in Guanabacoa holds not only the tombstones of those who passed but also the stories of Jewish immigrants whose legacies continue to shape Cuba’s cultural history. Tucked away in the municipality of Guanabacoa, on the outskirts of Havana, this cemetery—established in 1910—is the oldest Jewish burial ground in Cuba. It serves as more than a final resting place; it is a testament to Jewish migration, resilience, and cultural evolution on the island.

As part of this exploration, I’ve included images of some of the tombstones, which reflect the heritage, traditions, and perseverance of the Cuban Jewish community. These graves honor the memory of Jewish immigrants and their descendants, many of whom fled persecution and built new lives in Cuba. By sharing these images, I hope to preserve the memory of those buried here and highlight the cultural and historical significance of this sacred site.

“Meticulously handwritten burial records preserved at The United Hebrew Congregation Cemetery in Guanabacoa, Havana, New York Jewish Travel Guide.”

The land itself has a layered history. Before it became a Jewish cemetery, it served as a temporary burial ground for American soldiers who lost their lives in the Spanish-American War. In 1906, the United Hebrew Congregation of Cuba acquired the land, giving the island’s growing Jewish population a dedicated space to honor their loved ones according to Jewish traditions.

The burial site consists of two cemeteries—one for Ashkenazi Jews and the other for Sephardic Jews—each reflecting the unique cultural and geographic backgrounds of Cuba’s Jewish immigrants. Interestingly, the Sephardic section, sitting at a lower elevation, has fared better against the island’s frequent storms. However, the Ashkenazi section receives more visitors, in part because Cuba’s Jewish population has historically included a larger number of Ashkenazi Jews, and in part due to the many Jewish heritage travelers who trace their roots back to Eastern Europe.

There is no rigid boundary between the two sections. Over the years, mixed marriages have led to Ashkenazi Jews being buried in the Sephardic section and vice versa. Although there are no plans to expand the cemetery, it continues to serve as a rich repository of history, with meticulous burial records preserved.

“The family of former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas at the United Hebrew Congregation Cemetery in Guanabacoa, New York Jewish Travel Guide.”

Walking through the cemetery is like stepping into a visual timeline. The tombstones—matsevot—carry inscriptions in Hebrew, Yiddish, Spanish, Russian, and English, a testament to the diverse origins of the community. Many feature traditional Jewish symbols—the menorah, the Star of David, the lion of Judah—mingling with personal touches like poetry, love notes, and dedications. The layout follows Jewish custom, with a room for ritual washing of the deceased near the entrance and a simple faucet for visitors to wash their hands before leaving—a subtle but powerful reminder of the cycle of life and death.

The Jewish Heritage Tour, “The Jews of Cuba: A Marriage of Culture with Jewish Heritage Travel,” offered an authentic exploration of Cuba’s Jewish history. Led by Miriam Levinson, a Cuban native with decades of expertise, the journey highlighted the island’s rich traditions through her personal connection to the island.

“Holocaust memorial at The United Hebrew Congregation Cemetery in Guanabacoa, Havana, New York Jewish Travel Guide.”

As we made our way through the cemetery, the stories embedded in each tombstone became more vivid. Among the many significant individuals buried here are those whose contributions to Cuba’s broader history cannot be overlooked.

One especially moving story shared by Miriam stood out. Many of the Russian Jews who immigrated to Cuba came with ideals of socialism, and five young Jewish men were killed—not because they were Jewish nor communist. When the Communist Party was founded in Cuba in 1924-25, there were only 14 people at the first meeting. Among them were three Jews, who even had to bring a translator with them because they only spoke Yiddish and didn’t know Spanish.

This story, shared by Miriam, gives a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of Jewish identity and Cuba’s political evolution. It also reinforces the lasting influence of the Jewish community, not just within the bounds of their religious practices, but also in shaping the island’s sociopolitical landscape.

The United Hebrew Congregation Cemetery in Guanabacoa is the final resting place of several influential individuals who made lasting contributions to Cuban and Jewish history. Among them is Saúl Yelin, the founder of Cuban cinema. His tombstone is inscribed with the words, “for all that he was” and “for all that we owe him.” Yelin, one of the sons of a Patronato founder, was deeply involved in the Cuban film industry after the revolution.

Saúl Yelin, founder of Cuban cinema, at The United Hebrew Congregation Cemetery in Guanabacoa, Havana — New York Jewish Travel Guide.

The cemetery also serves as a memorial to history itself. A monument honoring Holocaust victims was erected here long before similar tributes appeared in the United States. Nearby, a cenotaph pays tribute to Jewish Communists who were part of Cuba’s early socialist movements, and one grave honors a young Cuban Jew who died fighting for the United States in the Korean War—a poignant reflection of the complex ties between Cuba, its Jewish community, and the broader world.

Perhaps the most haunting presence is the Holocaust memorial, standing over three meters tall, which not only commemorates the six million lives lost but also shelters an unsettling artifact—bars of soap made from human fat by the Nazis, buried nearby as a chilling physical reminder of the atrocities of World War II.

The cemetery also tells stories of ideological conviction. One headstone, belonging to a Russian-born lifelong Communist, proudly proclaims her dedication to the ideology she embraced: “I will always fight for communism.” Such personal declarations illustrate the wide spectrum of beliefs that shaped Cuba’s Jewish community over the decades.

The preservation of this sacred ground is very much a community effort. Support comes from both the Cuban government and the island’s Orthodox synagogue, which pays the caretakers a modest salary. Visitors—particularly those on Jewish heritage tours—often contribute additional funds to help ensure the cemetery’s upkeep. Despite its modest means, the site feels cared for, its weathered stones standing as guardians of memory. Many inscriptions preserve not just the names of the deceased but also the places they came from—Poland, Russia, Lithuania, and, of course, Cuba itself. Some tombstones even bear the simple Spanish phrase “en paz descanse” (rest in peace), blending Jewish and Cuban cultural traditions into a uniquely Cuban-Jewish legacy.

Dr. José Miller, whose leadership and advocacy shaped the Jewish community in Cuba, at The United Hebrew Congregation Cemetery in Guanabacoa, Havana—New York Jewish Travel Guide.

More than a burial ground, the United Hebrew Congregation Cemetery is a bridge between past and present. It’s a place where descendants reconnect with their roots, where the stories of a once-thriving Jewish community are preserved, and where visitors—both Jewish and non-Jewish—gain a deeper understanding of Cuba’s multicultural tapestry.

Though Cuba’s Jewish population has dwindled, the cemetery endures—its stones, symbols, and stories offering a lasting testament to the resilience, adaptability, and cultural richness of the Jewish community that once flourished on the island. It stands not only as a window into the past, but also as a reminder that memory, when nurtured, can transcend time, preserving the spirit of a people against all odds.

For those interested in exploring this rich legacy, the United Hebrew Congregation Cemetery can be viewed online via Find a Grave and Google Street View, offering a virtual connection to Cuba’s oldest Jewish burial ground.

For more information:

Story by Meyer Harroch, New York Jewish Travel Guide and New York Jewish Guide.

This unforgettable journey was graciously hosted by The Jewish Heritage Travel, with heartfelt thanks to Luis Arteaga and Miriam Levinson for organizing such a remarkable and unique experience.

A special thanks to Vickie Prince for her knowledgeable and engaging guiding, bringing Havana’s hidden gems and history to life with her insights and enthusiasm.

For details on upcoming trips and to request a travel brochure, contact The Jewish Heritage Travel at https://jhtravel.org/ or call 1.845.256.0197.