Why our Work is Distinct
Why our Work is Distinct
JCC exists to enrich the lives of members of the Cuban Jewish Community. The project seeks to assist and support Cuban Jews, and also to help empower them so that whatever the Jewish Cuba Connection is able to accomplish is strengthened because of what Cuban Jews are able to do for themselves. Key to this empowerment is giving Cuban Jews the necessary tools, in some cases, and teaching them skills in other cases, and funding, in still other cases. This approach has engendered strong support from the community: our mutual respect is the glue that ties Jewish Cuba Connection to the Cuban Jewish community and will keep us involved in the short, medium and long terms.
JCC’s work is distinct because our focus is not only innovative projects and more traditional initiatives in Havana, where the majority of Cuban Jews live, but also the needs of Cuban Jews who live on Cuba’s east coast, especially those who live in Guantanamo. Long before Guantanamo was best known as the site of the US military base, the city of Guantanamo -- located a few miles from the U.S. base -- is a small, but bustling community in which the largest number of Jews outside of Havana currently lives.
Why should you partner with us?
With your help, JCC will work on projects including:
- Continuing to help the Cuban Jewish community meet their spiritual, social, medical and economic needs;
- Working with the Cuban Jewish community to increase attendance at the Holocaust Memorial Center in Havana and help create the Cuban Holocaust Memorial and Study Center; and
- Sponsoring regular and ongoing missions to Jewish Communities in the Eastern provinces of Cuba. Unlike any other outreach organizations, JCC representatives visit the Eastern provinces at least four times a year.
How do we measure success?
We measure our success by the reaction of any Cuban Jew when you mention “Jewish Cuba Connection.”
