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Beth Shalom Temple (Havana)

Coordinates: 23°08′30″N 82°23′22″W / 23.141634°N 82.389425°W / 23.141634; -82.389425
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Gran Sinagoga Bet Shalom
Beth Shalom Grand Synagogue
בית הכנסת בית שלום
Exterior of Templo Bet Shalom
Religion
AffiliationConservative Judaism
DistrictVedado
RiteAshkenazi
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusActive
Location
LocationCalle I Esq. 13
Cuba Havana, Cuba 10400
Architecture
Groundbreaking1951
Completed1952
Website
N/A

Temple Beth Shalom, built in 1952, is a synagogue located in the Vedado neighbourhood of downtown Havana. In 1981, much of the original building was sold to the state, and was then turned into the Bertolt Brecht Cultural Center, including a theatre, a music venue, a gallery and a bar. Only part of the structure remains in Jewish hands today. Extensive repairs were undertaken in the 1990s. Beth Shalom is considered the headquarters of the Cuban Jewish Community. The building also houses a Jewish library. [1][2][3][4]

Relationship with Castro Government

Overall, the Jewish community has enjoyed security and anti-Semitism has been minimal. In the years leading up to his death, Fidel Castro even attended the community's Hanukka celebration.

References

  1. ^ For Cuban Jews, endless deprivation Archived July 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Globe
  2. ^ The Cuba Connection The Star Tribune
  3. ^ Havana Synagogue Dark for Decades is Once Again Aglow in the Light of Shabbat Candles Archived October 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine United Jewish Communities
  4. ^ 4. Jewish Community of Cuba: The Golden Years, 1906-1958, Westview Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, (February 2006). ISBN 0-9776207-0-0

23°08′30″N 82°23′22″W / 23.141634°N 82.389425°W / 23.141634; -82.389425