María Luisa Zayón and Pável Tenenbaum are President and Past-President, respectively, of the Jewish Cuban Youth Group which has taken the name of "Maccabi Cuba." "But we are more than a sports club," says María Luisa, who is called "Malu" by her friends. "We took the name to keep tradition, to associate with a well-known organization."

Malu and Pável serve as co-leaders of the group, appointed by a board of advisors. Both served as counselors before their appointments, which they considered to be good training for the responsibilities they have now. Malu, a journalism student at the University of Havana, and Pável, who has a degree in economics from the same university, speak enthusiastically about the group and its activities.

"The group has changed over the years," says Malu. "Now they are more interested in religious services than they were in the past." With support from the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) the group has lectures on Judaism provided for them, with a Saturday night course available which covers history, holidays, and other topics related to Jewish life.

"The group celebrates all the holidays," says Pável. "And we also are involved in many projects which help the community."

Some of these projects include the Health Assistance Program, providing medical assistance to members of the congregation when needed. "If the people can't come to the Patronato (Havana's Jewish Community Center) then we go out to them," says Pável. Assistance is offered through the provision of such items as medicine, disposable sheets, and clothing.

Other projects include the annual JDC camp, which brings in Jewish participants from all over Cuba to a rustic location for activities and study.

"There are around 150 young people involved," says Malu. "And they help with all the activities of the community center and with the other congregations around the country." Each community has counselors, she says, who help with the programs in most of Cuba's thirteen Jewish communities. "The counselor's group trains new leaders, and in turn they train others, so we are always training new people to take responsibility."

"And the responsibility grows each year," adds Pável. "For example, we help the community and other groups such as B'nai B'rith with things like home repair, and we help in activities around the synagogue."

There is also a small committed group within the larger group named "kesher" ("together" or "contact") associated with the youth group, which brings young people together in an informal setting, and also helps families and seniors.

Pável is now working with the Patronato as an administrative assistant, helping to organize events, conduct tours for visitors, help with supplying the pharmacy, organizing the library, and helping out on the various tasks that come up each day. He hopes to eventually get a computer so he can set up a database for the library's ten thousand books, and also create a list with information on the congregation's members.

Malu continues her journalism studies at the University of Havana, with an emphasis on cultural journalism. She has particpated in the "Birthright" program, which enabled her to visit Israel. "There were ten of us on the trip," she says. "It was one of the most exciting times of my life."

The Jewish youth group in Cuba has not always been strong. With the departure of over 90 percent of the Jewish populartion after 1959, the restrictions on religious practice until 1991, and the recent departure of several hundred individuals and families to Israel, the youth group struggled to keep going with just a few individuals.

"But now we're getting stronger," says Malu. "Nestor and Mara (assigned to Cuba by the JDC) have helped tremendously. The most important thing is now we have a youth organization. There are more coming in. Now they have a place to go."

"And there's more exchange with the outside world," adds Pável. "We don't feel so isolated anymore."

Article by Richard Smith
March 2004