Tucked away in the heart of Old Havana, amidst the lively streets and colonial architecture, stands Adath Israel, the city’s only Orthodox synagogue—a symbol of resilience, faith, and the enduring spirit of Cuba’s Jewish community. Founded in the early 20th century by Jewish immigrants seeking refuge and opportunity in this Caribbean haven, Adath Israel has served as a spiritual anchor for generations. With its modest façade and warm interior, the synagogue offers a sense of tradition and continuity, blending the rhythms of daily Cuban life with the timeless melodies of Jewish prayer.

Adath Israel is more than a place of worship—it’s a living testament to the resilience of Havana’s Orthodox Jewish community. Within its walls, ancient traditions are honored with deep reverence, from the lighting of Shabbat candles to the chanting of Torah readings, all set against the backdrop of a city rich in history and transformation. Despite the decline of Cuba’s Jewish population over the years, Adath Israel stands as a beacon of hope—welcoming worshippers, upholding kosher customs, and ensuring that Jewish life continues to thrive in Havana, one prayer at a time.

Adath Israel Synagogue, Havana — New York Jewish Travel Guide

Jewish life in Cuba began long before Adath Israel, dating back to the 16th century when Sephardic Jews fleeing the Inquisition arrived with Spanish colonists. Despite oppressive conditions under Spanish rule, small Jewish communities took root. A larger wave of Jewish immigrants arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, escaping pogroms in Eastern Europe and finding refuge in Havana’s free ports, where a thriving community soon flourished with synagogues, schools, and kosher businesses.

By the 1930s, Cuba’s Jewish population peaked at over 15,000, playing a vital role in the island’s economic and cultural life. But the 1959 Cuban Revolution brought sweeping changes, as religion was pushed to the margins under Castro’s atheist policies. From 1960 until the early 1990s, synagogues emptied, religious education ended, and openly practicing Judaism often led to social and economic repercussions. For decades, Adath Israel remained mostly silent, kept alive only by a few elderly Jews who held fast to their faith.

Adath Israel Synagogue, Havana — Photo Courtesy of Adath Israel

Today, Adath Israel is once again alive with prayer and purpose. Every day, they hold Shacharit at 8 a.m., followed by Mincha and Ma’ariv at 5 p.m. The synagogue is more than a house of worship; it’s a hub of community life, a place where Cuban Jews gather to learn, to eat, to celebrate—and, above all, to endure.

Just a few blocks from the synagogue, in a modest, unpretentious butcher shop, another vital piece of this story unfolds. This is Havana’s only kosher butcher shop, and at its center is Rabbi Yacob Berezniak — both the spiritual leader of Adath Israel and the community’s shohet, or ritual slaughterer. With precision and care, he ensures the community’s meat meets kosher standards, safeguarding a sacred practice passed down through generations.

Obtaining kosher meat in Cuba is no simple task. The country has not seen fresh kosher beef since 2025, and even then, acquiring a single cow requires navigating a labyrinth of government permissions, paperwork, and negotiations. When approval is finally granted, it is Rabbi Berezniak himself who travels to the slaughterhouse, selecting the animal and performing the shechita, the kosher slaughter. He inspects every organ to ensure the cow is healthy and fit for consumption. Only the front half of the animal—the portion permissible under Jewish law—is used. The meat is then divided and distributed among the families of the community, each portion a precious symbol of perseverance.

Kosher meat distribution in Havana operates through Cuba’s government-issued ration book system, a legacy of the policies established in 1963. Under this system, individuals are entitled to receive ¾ of a pound of kosher meat every nine days. Those with medically prescribed diets — documented in their ration books — may receive either half a pound or ¾ of a pound, depending on their specific dietary needs. Today, Havana’s Jewish community is the only population in all of Cuba that continues to receive kosher meat through this government-regulated system, a unique and enduring recognition of their religious dietary requirements.

A woman receiving her meat purchase at the Kosher butcher in Havana — Photo Courtesy of Adath Israel

Chicken, once a dietary staple, has become an even greater challenge. Live chickens, essential for performing our own shechita to ensure they are kosher, are increasingly scarce. Fish offers some small relief, as salmon and tuna—with their clearly identifiable scales and fins—can still be found in local markets. Additionally, canned sardines and tuna, often sent by supportive Jewish communities abroad, help supplement the limited supply.

Despite these challenges, Adath Israel offers a remarkable gift: a free, fully kosher Shabbat dinner and Saturday lunch, welcoming both the local community and visiting guests. Every Friday night, the scent of Syrian rice, falafel, fresh salads, creamy hummus, and more fills the air, mingling with the melodies of Shabbat songs. For many, these meals are the week’s highlight—not just nourishment, but a taste of tradition, a connection to something larger than themselves. On an average Shabbat, 25 to 30 people gather, their numbers swelling on holidays.

Summer brings a practical adaptation—the iconic cholent, Cuba’s long-simmered Shabbat stew, disappears from the menu when the heat grows unbearable, replaced by cooler dishes. But in the winter, the pot returns to the stove, and with it, the comforting aroma of slow-cooked meat, potatoes, and beans. Visitors feel at ease here, thanks to a dedicated area where children can play and enjoy themselves, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that feels like home. Beyond its spiritual role, the synagogue also serves as a lifeline, distributing over-the-counter medicine to both community members and neighbors in need, ensuring help is available to all.

Adath Israel Synagogue, Havana — New York Jewish Travel Guide

Adath Israel is dedicated to preserving authentic Jewish life in Cuba, with a commitment to Halakhic principles—recognizing only individuals born to Jewish mothers or those with recognized Orthodox conversions performed abroad. The community does not conduct conversions in Cuba. While visitors and those interested in learning about Judaism are always welcome, those seeking conversion are encouraged to pursue it through recognized rabbinical courts outside the country.

Despite decades of isolation, economic hardship, and shifting political landscapes, the community has remained resilient, preserving its traditions, fostering Jewish education, and maintaining ties with Jewish communities around the world. Adath Israel’s enduring spirit is a testament to the strength and dedication of Cuban Jewry, and the synagogue continues to serve as a spiritual and cultural anchor for the Jewish population of Havana.

Active School at Adath Israel Synagogue, Havana — Photo Courtesy of Adath Israel

Jewish travelers are encouraged to visit Adath Israel during their stay in Havana to experience firsthand the warmth, history, and vibrant traditions of this remarkable community.

Adath Israel itself offers a surprising touch of comfort—air-conditioning hums quietly through the sanctuary, the social hall, and even the classrooms. Two small elevators, rare luxuries in Havana, ease the way for elderly congregants. And in the basement, the only functioning mikveh in Cuba offers a space for ritual purity, its waters replenished from a natural spring.

Rabbi Berezniak’s personal story is woven into the very fabric of Adath Israel’s survival. His family arrived in Cuba from Poland in 1925, escaping antisemitism with dreams of reaching America. When visas proved unattainable, Cuba became their refuge. His grandfather, also a shohet, opened a small kosher butcher shop, serving the growing Jewish community.

The revolution of 1959 changed everything. Private businesses, including the Berezniak butcher shop, were confiscated, marking a significant shift in the country’s economic and social landscape. The family lost their livelihood, their property, and for many, their hope. Most left for Miami. Yet a stubborn few stayed, including Rabbi Berezniak’s parents, determined to protect Adath Israel from extinction.

By 1994, when the rabbi celebrated his Bar Mitzvah, his father gave him a solemn charge: “Stay in Cuba. Keep Adath Israel alive.” It seemed like an impossible task. But then, history offered an unexpected turn. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1992, Cuba’s desperate search for economic survival led to a relaxation of religious restrictions. For the first time in decades, practicing Judaism was no longer forbidden. Slowly, those who had hidden their faith returned. They remembered. They came back.

Rabbi Berezniak’s journey took him through Israel and Panama, where he trained as a shohet, mashgiach, and a member of the Hevra Kadisha, the burial society. In 2019, he was officially appointed rabbi of Adath Israel, a role recognized by both the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Panama and the Cuban government.

Adath Israel Synagogue, Havana — New York Jewish Travel Guide

“In 2019, I was during my training in Panama, under the guidance and approval of the esteemed Rabbi David Perets. I trained in various areas, including Kashruth, the Hevra Kadisha, and prayers. Upon completing this process, I was granted a letter from Rabbi Perets to present to the Cuban authorities, officially recognizing my role and responsibilities,” Rabbi Berezniak shared.

Adath Israel, today, is more than a synagogue. It is a fragile yet resilient lifeline for 127 remaining members, mostly elderly. Younger generations have left for Israel, the U.S., or beyond, but even those who leave return for holidays, reconnecting with the community through messages, videos, and visits.

Passover seders draw 50 or more people, Sukkot brings families to the synagogue’s balcony under a canopy of palm fronds, and Simchat Torah fills the building with song and dance. Remarkably, the synagogue has no security guards—a rarity in Jewish communities worldwide. “We’re in a tough neighborhood,” Rabbi Berezniak acknowledges, “but we’ve never faced any issues.” In Cuba, decades of enforced secularism left most people ignorant of religion altogether. “If you don’t know what a Jew is, you have no reason to hate one,” the rabbi explains with a wry smile.

Rabbi Berezniak added that the Adath Israel Hebrew Community Synagogue of Cuba holds a rich collection of records and historical documents. These include the archives of the Hechvra Kadisha, the complete records of the Maccabean Hebrew Cemetery, and all registration documents of the United Hebrew Congregation in Cuba. The synagogue also preserves its own historical documents, including the Bar Mitzvah registry, marriage records, and materials from B’nai B’rith, along with archives from Cuba’s Hebrew schools. Additionally, the synagogue’s library houses an extensive collection of documents, records, publications, and photographs.

The rabbi shared a heartfelt message to the global Jewish community, emphasizing the resilience and determination of Jewish life in Cuba: “We are a Kehila dedicated to preserving Judaism in Cuba, overcoming countless challenges along the way. With unwavering faith in Hakadosh Baruch Hu, we move forward as a living testament to resilience and devotion. Visitors who see our efforts firsthand often leave with a renewed appreciation for the freedom they have to observe mitzvot in their own communities. We warmly invite our Jewish brothers and sisters to visit, experience our spirit, and stand with us in solidarity and support.”

In the heart of Havana, where history and tradition intertwine, Adath Israel stands as a testament to the resilience, faith, and enduring spirit of Cuba’s Jewish community. Through decades of adversity—from the turbulent years of the Cuban Revolution to the challenges of today—the synagogue has been more than a place of worship; it has been a sanctuary of hope and a symbol of survival. Despite the hardships of preserving Jewish life in Cuba, Adath Israel continues to shine as a beacon of faith, bringing generations together to safeguard their heritage, uphold cherished traditions, and nurture a sense of community. More than just the story of a synagogue, Adath Israel embodies the story of a people who, against all odds, have kept their faith alive—one prayer at a time.

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By Meyer Harroch, New York Jewish Travel Guide & 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.