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Jews in NicaraguaSubmitted by will305 on 15 July, 2008 - 11:08.
I noticed as of late there are a number of members who claim to be Jewish, including myself. I know that Monte de Olivas in Managua used to be the only Jewish Synagogue in Nicaragua (so I have been told) and that since they made it a funeral parlor, there are no more places of worship. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about the history of Jews in Nicaragua and if so, what can you share? Also, is there anything going on nowadays, groups, clubs, temples etc. for the few Jews who do live here? I would love to check out a service en espanol. Seria muy interesante. ( categories: )
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Yes
I know of a couple of Jewsih families here. There is no synagogue. They keep Sabbath in their homes, and go out of the country for high holy days. They have recently brought a copy of the Torah to Nicaragua. I do not know how true the story is, as I tend to depend on the oral tradition, but supposedly there was a synagogue here, and it was burned during the revolution. In Bolonia there is a bookstore catering to Messianic Jews (Those who also believe in Christ) called Kadosh. They could probably tell you more.
judios...jews
If you have any question about the Jewish community, I will be happy to help you with.Synagogue means meeting and yes we do meet and we do celebrate our feasts.Mesianic jews are not jewish, we have no ties with them. shalom!
And to you yosef/Joe.. Shalom.
Welcome to N.L. We need another perspective, too many american-americans on here, we need as many other thoughts as we can. Is there such a thing as a house of worship,synagogue, Jews can go to in Nicaragua. Where is it? You raised the question after all.
I'm very happy to see this thread revived
in a kind and gentle manner.
Yosef, your offer to provide information about the Jewish community in Nicaragua is most welcome and I'm sure that the question voiced by dirtbag is echoed by others here.
Welcome to NL and Shalom.
According to La Prensa
A Scotsman and a Jew, went to a restaurant in Managua. After a hearty meal the waitress came by with the check. To the amazement of all the Scotsman was heard to say" I'll pay it" and he actually did. The next morning La Prensa carried the news item. JEWISH VENTRILOQUIST FOUND MURDERED IN BLIND ALLEY.
guegunse-me das miedo
Those comments about pork, creches and alien religions, if not offered in the spirit of satire, are a tad scary, and quite possibly (sadly) ignorant ?
If satire, please ignore the rest of my post, it was funny, but if serious, please be informed, that any controvery over a creche or other religious symbol deals more with the U.S. Constitutional prohibitions of state sponsored religion and nothing to do with a nonchristian's views of religious symbols in general. Especially in other soverign nations.
My fascination with Nicaragua and its rich culture and history, my understanding of the inhabitants who lived here for thousands of years leads me to believe that the Catholcism imposed by whips, mortar shells, cannon balls, bayonets etc is the alien religion. Please study the people of Ometepe and their burial ceremonies etc.
dont forget everybody's favorite....
Jehovah's witnesses.
Kidding aside, I don't see anything wrong with all these christian denomination. This reflects the fact that the catholic church has been steadily losing members. Even so, the catholic church still remains tied to a lot of Nicaragua's cherished traditions: La Purisima, the people dressed as romans flailing Jesus, and the processions of people following the stations of the cross, The nacimientos with the baby jesus .
As a Nicaraguan, I would get worried when decidedly foreign and alien religions started taking root.
I wonder what would happen if somebody complained that Nicaraguan's love of pork offended their religious sensitivities, or that a creche should not be displayed in public?!?!?!
That's the beauty of "Religious Freedom"...
within a "Democratic" society, which Nicaragua supposedly is, correct? No one person should be offended by another's consumption of pork, or the display of a nativity scene (crèche) in public, etc, Ideally, Nicaraguans and people in general will be tolerant of differences and welcome diversity, as without same, one tends to become single-minded and have "tunnel vision" regarding not only the views and/or beliefs of others, but ultimately causing their own beliefs to be the only acceptable alternative, as you have expressed so succinctly. I for one have no problem and in fact enjoy attending Fiestas Patronales, and love learning the history of the churches of Nicaragua, etc. But… it is somewhat frightening and frankly disturbing, that the mere mention of the term Jew invokes a semi-sarcastic, if not offensive response by some, albeit not the least bit surprising, given the lack of understanding and education in Nicaragua on such themes as "other" religions.
.
If Nicaraguans were a bit more open minded about such freedoms, there would be no blank stare of ignorance at the presentation of ideas and terminologies that pertain to "decidedly foreign and alien religions," as it apparently bewilders and confuses them, sort of what the Devil attempts to do. Being scared, intolerant, ignorant, and repressive of contradictory or opposing ideologies is exactly what gives Nicaragua and it's people the "distinct" flavor and character and sets it apart from the world's true democracies. It also somewhat explains its inability to prosper and advance like it's neighbors and the rest of the free world. Que "tu" Dios te bendiga, which by the way, is the same Dios Jews (la gente escojida) worship…how ‘bout that?
TRUE DEMOCRACIES...
hmm.
The thing is that nicas are always raja-tabla, and that is our cultural trait. In the USA and europe due to the tyranny of political correctness imposed by the left, people have become cowards and scared for "speaking truth to power" to borrow a certain phrase.
After seeing the harm that political correctness has wrought in europe and the USA, I will sure as hell not going to let that happen in Nicaragua. Not without a big pleito on your hands!.
Nicaragua like it or not is a predominantly CHRISTIAN nation. This is reflected in the purisimas, the holy week celebrations, fiestas patronales, and other cultural traditions.
As for the "true democracies" comments, a lot can be said of other countries that treat their religious minorities like third class citizens and herd them into squalid camps and do not allow them freedom of movement.
So dont preach to me will305 about that sort of thing. As a philosopher once said, "the problem is not a monotheistic God, the problem is whether the others accept who the true messiah and prophet was".
A foreigner must adapt to the country, and not vice-versa. If you do not do so, you will fall into the ugly american syndrome.
Respect the cultural traditions of the place you live. If you want things to be like "home" you should not move away from it.
QUIEN CAUSA TANTA ALEGRIA? LA CONCEPCION DE MARIA!
Yes, but just because
Nicaragua is a predominantly Christian nation should not preclude other religions from being present, or even welcome, which seemed to be the point of your post. I just don't happen to agree with your position or the light in which you portray other religions. But your message is quite clear. Thanks for the enlightenment.
HOUSE RULES.....
Will305
I understand that guests should be made welcome, BUT they need to respect the house rules.
We cannot have the outsiders changing the culture, imposing their beliefs, or even allowed to have apartheid in the form of enclaves where rich foreigners little by little conduct ethnic cleansing (my black friends term for "gentrification" was negro removal) and displace the native population. Case in point Granada and San Juan Del Sur. The foreigners are aggressive in labeling their turf: Casa Gringo, Casa Smith, hell in Managua there is even a Casa Ben Linder.
In the past immigrants to the USA accepted the house rules and blended in, learned english, worked hard and sent their kids to Harvard.
Nowadays, the immigrants do not want to learn english, demand that ballots and government program info be published in 400 languages, and of course some want their alien traditions be accepted by the mainstream. Anything from female circumcision to Santeros throwing dead chickens and goats in the street. We are told this is welcoming our diversity, just dont say Merry Christmas to anybody as that maybe considered a hate crime. This is why you do not see nativity scenes much in the USA.
I live here and see all this nonsense. What makes you think I want the same for Nicaragua?!. When I tell people in Nicaragua of the foolishness that happens here, people are incredulous.
When some nica arrepentidos and some gringos started promoting Halloween there was a HUGE BACKLASH. The catholic and evangelical churches spoke out against it, the sandinistas called it a yankee imperialist holiday
That is why I am confident that we will continue our traditions, and we will resist and fight those who try to intimidate us or chastise us for believing what we do, or try to homogenize us so that they the outsiders can feel secure and not "frightened".
If you were serious
the first thing you need to do is eliminate TV sources that originate from outside of Nicaragua. TV does more to change cultural norms than any Gringo Invasion in the form of humans can.
the Iconoscope...why do you think they call it programming ?
Philo Farnsworth's brain child gone bad;
http://www.archive.org/details/tvmindcontrol
turn it off, get some Noam Chomsky DVD's, or John Birch or whatever floats you're boat...don't watch TV, why do you think they call it programming ?
-Doug ©
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate
amen to that , Brother
nothing as insidious as the ol TV to change cultures
Absolutely true
It does it even in the originating countries. I'd also watch what went on from NICA originated programming..I know that smacks of censorship and might start a whole new debate, but it is true that TV can have a really powerful and negative impact on cultural norms.ATZ
House rules vs Evolution
Personally, I would like to see Nicaragua stay the way it is, but the reality is changes are coming. No society ever remains the same and the impact of tourism and ex-pat gringo communities are just a small portion of the change that will wash over Nicaraguan society during the next few decades Nothing wrong with traditions but even those evolve over time. A good example is those folks who left Nicaragua during the Guerra Civil and have spent a large part of their lives in the US or other places. Many are now reaching retirement age and many will return to Nicaragua. Will they still buy the class/social/religious differences of traditional Nicaraguan society or they going to create some changes? There's the old saw about "you can't stop progress". Nicaragua is still one of the poorest countries in the world and without social change and foreign investment it will remain that way. The main thing Nicaragua has to do is protect it's land and resources from foreign exploitation. Hopefully it will play a smarter game than Costa Rica did but one has to wonder if that will be the case. The only reason I say that is that the Costa Ricans were at least well educated before the gringo influx and still the price of land in their country got driven up beyond the means of many.
Oh I see...
Nicaragua was another of those 'empty' countries, just waiting for colonial Europeans to bring it a population and culture.
-Doug ©
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate
Don't confuse Democracy, religious freedom and eating pork
Most people seem to equate Democracy with majority rule. Flynt succintly makes the point that there is more to it.
Religious freedom also has some potential limitations. For example, if my religion dictated that women always appear bare-breasted and your religion dictated that all women always cover all their body except their face, in public places one freedom would step on another.
While your brought up eating pork in a religious context, it again is another freedom issue. In a vegetarian society, it clearly is offensive and if one is vegetarian because they don't believe in killing animals, it becomes an issue of conflicting freedoms.
Now, as for religious freedom in Nicaragua, I just don't see serious problems. I regularly tell people that I am Taoist. Many have expressed interest in what that is but I have yet to be told that I have "selected an unapproved religion". The closest I get is the (expected) issue of those that believe there is one god and, therefore, I must be wrong by thinking that my god is within me.
.
.
Not sure how "decidedly foreign and alien "
Judaism is, in that there is a long and vibrant history of Spanish/ Sephardic Jewry (no, not jewelry), and it was those same Spaniards who brought Catholicism. That is not to say that Catholicism is not historically the largest force here, or for that matter in Spain, but I would imagine that there had to be some Jews who came from Spain as part of the "settling" (or whatever not so diplomatic word you choose to insert) of Nicaragua...again, this is just an assumption, not fact on my part.... However, can anyone explain the star of David that I periodically see either as jewelry, or the one that was on top of the house in Granada on Calle Calzada across from the school for so long (though seems to be gone now)...and I'm sure I've seen others around.
Ruhamah in Esteli?
Perhaps the surname of the Rugamas (mainly of Esteli) are of jewish origin. According to what I have found on the internet:
"El origin del apelllido Rugama es Biblico. Despues el Senor le cambio el nombre quitandole el "Lo" que es lo mismo que "NO" y el nombre quedo como Ruhamah que significa "Que ha obtenido compasion y misericordia" simbolizando el pueblo de Israel. Cuando algunos Hebreos llegaron a la peninsula Iberica 300 A.C. el apellido se convirtio en Rugama que es la transliteracion del Hebreo Ruhamah. La "H" siendo la palabra "Het" en Hebreo. El apellido se pronuncia Ruchamah en Hebreo con un acento muy gutural en la CH y de alli que se convirtio en Rugama botando la "het" final. En Israel existen aun muchas familias Rugama y hay un pueblo chico que se llama Ruhamah al sur de Israel.
Este origin hace sentido ya que yo especulo que personaje que llevo Carlos V de Flandes (D. Lorenzo Rugama) probablemente habia huido de la peninsula Iberica cuando se expulsaron a los Hebreos en el 1492 y ha de haberse radicado en Holanda o Flandes donde huyeron mas del 60% de todos los Hebreos expulsados en el 1492 incluyendo los ancestros del filosofo Spinoza."
source:forum.geneanet.org/read.php?39,53420,page=1
Who knows if the above information is accurate though. The surname could very well just be cantabric and celtic as it is widely believed.
Jewish immigrants re Spain & Nicaragua
It is doubtful that many Jews would have come from Spain. Starting with King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella, The Spanish Inquisition was set loose on the Jews and other heretics who were given the choices of converting,death, or banishment. Most Jews became "conversos" and while many continued to practice Judaism in private they risked death if caught.The Inquisition lasted close to 350 years. After it was all over there still remained Jews in Spain but certainly nowhere near the numbers there had been. Perhaps some did make it to Nicaragua but it is doubtful they would have advertised their presence at least until the 20th century. For further reading on the subject look up "Limpieza de Sangre"
I looked up "limpieza de sangre"
and found Hitler and the Third Reich...omg
as usual Will, you didn't get it
look it up on wikipedia. Here's the link.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleanliness_of_blood For a much more in depth read you can try reading Will and Ariel Durant's The Story of Civilization. Vol. IV: The Age of Faith and The Story of Civilization. Vol. V: The Renaissance. Covered in these two volume's is the story of Shephardic Jews of Spain.
thanks o great one
for your wealth of knowledge
You"re welcome, Will
Please note Sir, I never said you were dumb-and I do hope you will read the Durants. My differences with with you are over style and aggressiveness, not that you don't have intelligence. There are a lot of smart people on here and honest debate is about establishing fact vs. fiction. It is not about winners and losers but about learning from each other.As I said in a previous post you post some informative stuff-I am here to learn and I try to learn from everybody, you included.
I appreciate your comments
But, what you really may be saying is perhaps defensiveness. I do come from 13 years of formal orthodox Jewish education, can read and write Hebrew and was bar mitvah, so my knowledge of the plight and history of my people is fairly well developed. I even wanted to be a Rabbi and studied same. But growing up Jewish means having pennies thrown at you, being told you cant be a member of this club or that school, that you are a cheapskate, and having some very ugly things said, so one gets accustomed to hearing masked insults and even those that are not masked. This is something a non-jew cannot relate to, almost like being of color.
I agree, yet I disagree
The same applies to other nationalities and races.
Believe me I have been subjected to much of the same. Some of it by Jews. I simply refuse to let anyone to "get to me".
damn 2nd post
too much Franciscan plonk
I love the reference
"Jews and other heretics"
The Lutheran Reformation
Obviously you must not study your history much. Prior the schism of the Catholic church and the Reformation any non Catholic was by definition a non Christian and a heretic.
I got it....
What thy were called, not your definition. a slight twist of the context makes a big difference. Has more to do with reading skills than history on my part.ATZ
It's ok, ATZ-not a problem
I'd be interested to know more about the History of Jewish people in Nicaragua and Central America. Though I am not Jewish myself many of my mentors in my younger life were-The history of the Jewish people and the Great Diaspora has always been of great interest to me ever since.There are many facets unknown to the public at large such as the story of the Silk Road to China. Most people today assume that the people who ran the route were of Persian or Arabic descent but it was in fact Jewish people who financed, and guided the caravans from the Lake Bactria region into old China or Cathay as it was known then. This is how the Romans and later the European Christians got their precious silks and exotic spices. Another little known fact is that before 1929, the largest single Jewish population in the world resided not in Europe nor the Mid-East but in China. When Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek went after the Communists in the late 1920's his military and police liquidated the Chinese Jewish communities as well.How many were killed or simply disappeared is not well documented through any sources I know of but their 2000 yr. old presence in China was ended. PBS had an interesting documentary on the last Jewish guy in one of China's southern provinces awhile back. His father had advised him to go to Israel as there was no future for him in China.
Norman was his first name
I forget his surname..Goldberg? Anyway, I never saw the documentary, but he was a "Cultural Revolutionary" did all the backbreaking labour stuff as a true believer of Mao. Ended up Marrying a Canadian Chinese Girl named Jan Wong.Also on a crusade at the time went to China in 1972 as one of the first "Foreign" students at Bejing University. It's all interesting stuff, you can read the story by Jan Wong she has an excellent book out called "China Blues"
perhaps Dirtbag
you are thinking of Norman Bethune, the Canadian doctor who was honored in China for his services during the Yenan period of WW2. The chap I was referring to was a simple peasant villager in one of China's southern provinces. He was the last Jewish person left and his father had advised prior to his death the guy should go to Israel as he had no chance of finding a Jewish wife in China.
sorry if I'm wrong
my mistake
I caught that too
i thought i'd stay out of this one as my interpretation of some of what is presented as humorous is deficient. But a couple of the posts do offend me as a spiritually , non specific faith based believer. Actually worry me more than offend. hopefully they were intended as an attempt at humor, or maybe just not written well. .ATZ
Vale Todo said that they are
Vale Todo said that they are going to have a "Kosher Day," but they have been saying that for YEARS.
in re: Jews in Nicaragua
This article http://tinyurl.com/58zv2z has information regarding the Jewish community in Nicaragua as well as the name of its leader...
His name is Lipshitz. Ja ja,
His name is Lipshitz. Ja ja, Lipshitz. His name is Lipshitz.
informatin
I have a friend,Steve Roth,who is active in the jewish comunity here in managua.contact him at steven_roth2003@yahoo.com tell him andy told you to contact him.im sure he will be glad to help you
Info
See http://www.nicaliving.com/node/8914
Synagogue
I wonder if there will be a synagogue in Esteli soon. Lots of other religious denominations are present there including but not limited to Mormons, Seventh-day Adventist, Jehovah's witnesses, Evangelists, Lutherans, Pentecostals, Catholics, Methodist, Taoists, etc.
Tors dag
Well I believe in the old Nordic God Tor. That's why I have a head up on most other religions, I celebrate every Thursday and Friday also, because then Freya kicks in.
Thank for all those old Nordic God's.
put me down
for a grog of spirits when we reach Valhöll, Rog
Mural
That calls for a mural depicting the norse gods. There's already one of Haile Selassie I, god of the Rastafaris. Also, I forgot about the Devanand Yoga Center, that's Hinduism presence.
Jews
Herty Lewites was from a Jew whose family comes from N.Y. as I was told. In Masachapa I met a china men who was a jew his name is Sum Dum Goy I think he is in fl. now though. (ja ja ja)
I have heard rumor of a group trying to bring a rabbi
to Managua but nothing more than that. Maybe someone else on the list will comment on that more....When I lived here from 02-04 I spent holidays with a family from the American Embassy. There were also several Peace Corps Volunteers who were Jewish.
I looked unsuccessfully for Nicaraguan Jewish families to spend the holidays with, even went so far as to contact the archdiocese as I was told that they keep tabs on the activities of various religions, but I was unsuccessful in locating families...at the time I did hear of two families supposedly bringing their own kosher food from Costa Rica, but I never found or was able to contact the families. From what I understand now, there is a group of 20 or so local and foreign people who spend the holidays together. Hopefully we will be able to locate/ meet them one day soon.
My husband is Israeli and I am Ashkenazi. We aren't terribly observant, but the tradition is very important to us. In Miami we always hosted a large Shabbat dinner of family and friends, an activity I hope to resume once we are more settled. If anyone would like to join us (Jewish or not.... as it's more for the enjoyment of the evening, though we do say a few quick prayers in Hebrew before the start of dinner) please PM me....I make a mean Challah bread!
Herty Lewites
Was a sandinista of Jewish origin. Unfortunately, he grew rich due to theft of confiscated assets during the 1980's. I prefer the only Jewish Carpenter in history over this piñatero.
Lewites was a presidential candidate who was likely poisoned by Daniel Ortega's minions.
http://blogs.elnuevodiario.com.ni/2006/05/11/politica/19187