The Cuban Hebrew Congregation, or Temple Beth Shmuel, is a

Conservative Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization in ...

synagogue used by Ashkenazi

Jewish Cuban Jewish Cubans, Cuban Jews, or Cubans of Jewish heritage, have lived in the nation of Cuba for centuries. Some Cubans trace Jewish ancestry to '' Marranos'' (forced converts to Christianity) who came as colonists, though few of these practice Judai ...

expatriates, located at 1700 North Michigan Avenue, Miami Beach,

Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...

, in the United States.

Overview

"Approximately 94 percent of Cuba’s Jewish population fled after the

959 Year 959 ( CMLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * April - May – The Byzantines refuse to pay the yearly tribute. A Hungari ...

Revolution." The synagogue was founded in 1961 by Felix Reyler, Oscar White, and

Bernardo Benes Dr. Bernardo Benes Baikowitz (27 December 1934 in Matanzas, Cuba – 14 January 2019 in Miami, Florida) was a prominent Jewish Cuban lawyer, banker, journalist and civic leader, who was responsible for freeing 3,600 Cuban political prisoners in 19 ...

. Its current location at 1700 North Michigan Avenue opened in 1975, with an expansion in 1982. The congregation is led by

Rabbi A rabbi () is a spiritual leader or religious teacher in Judaism. One becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi – known as ''semikha'' – following a course of study of Jewish history and texts such as the Talmud. The basic form of ...

Stephen Texon and Baal Koreh Jacques Malka. It currently hosts 170 member households and has a

Montessori The Montessori method of education involves children's natural interests and activities rather than formal teaching methods. A Montessori classroom places an emphasis on hands-on learning and developing real-world skills. It emphasizes indepen ...

School. The temple was designed by Oscar Sklar and includes

stained glass window Stained glass is coloured glass as a material or works created from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant religious buildings. Although tradition ...

s of the

Twelve Tribes of Israel The Twelve Tribes of Israel ( he, שִׁבְטֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל, translit=Šīḇṭēy Yīsrāʾēl, lit=Tribes of Israel) are, according to Hebrew scriptures, the descendants of the biblical patriarch Jacob, also known as Israel, thro ...

designed by Inge Pape Trampler. Mexican artist Naomi Siegman designed the candelabras beside the bimah. The synagogue is named for Shmuel Schacter, father of Jack Chester.

References

External links

* * Synagogues in Miami Beach, Florida Conservative synagogues in Florida Ashkenazi synagogues American people of Cuban-Jewish descent Ashkenazi Jewish culture in Florida Cuban-American culture in Florida Hispanic and Latino-Jewish culture in the United States Jewish organizations established in 1961 1961 establishments in Florida Synagogues completed in 1975 20th-century synagogues in the United States Synagogues completed in 1982 {{US-synagogue-stub