By Olivia Berlin
This summer, I joined peers from across the country on a JDC Entwine trip to Cuba, a program that connects Jews worldwide with communities in need. What we found in Havana was deeply moving: a resilient Jewish community, a country facing real challenges, and a powerful reminder of our responsibility to the global Jewish family.
During our visit, we were treated with warmth and hospitality. We walked through Old Havana, rode in classic cars, and shared meals in some of the city’s most welcoming spots. Yet we also saw how difficult daily life is for most Cubans—shortages of food, medicine, and basic supplies are part of everyday reality. Against this backdrop, the strength of the Jewish community is especially inspiring.
Cuba’s Jewish population, once about 15,000, has declined to around 700 today. Despite their small numbers, Cuban Jews maintain active synagogues, celebrate holidays together, and care for one another across generations. Much of this is possible thanks to the support of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), which has partnered with Cuban Jewry for decades to provide everything from medical supplies to holiday resources. The JDC is one of the Jewish Federation of Detroit’s main overseas partners and is the leading global humanitarian organization. Cuba is just one of the more than 70 countries in which the JDC has a presence.
My delegation included participants from across the U.S. including Detroit, Los Angeles, Chicago and Atlanta who connected over shared Jewish experiences and volunteering. We helped clean up Havana’s historic Jewish cemetery, honoring the memory of past generations. We also brought requested donations including medicine, hygiene items, and sewing supplies for the Cuban Jewish community.
The most meaningful part of the trip was the personal connections. We celebrated Shabbat with the Jewish community of Havana at the Patronato synagogue, shared meals and Havdalah with community members, and heard directly from leaders about their struggles and their hopes. We also visited the Sephardic Synagogue during its senior program and toured the Orthodox shul in Havana. Everywhere we went, the community expressed joy in sharing both their Jewish and Cuban pride with us.
For us, the experience was a living example of Jewish values. We were reminded that our tradition teaches that “all Jews are responsible for one another,” and that global solidarity is not just an idea—it’s something we practice through presence, support, and partnership.
As I returned home to Detroit, I carried with me more than memories. I brought back the responsibility to share the story of Cuban Jewry and to continue supporting Jewish communities worldwide. Even in difficult circumstances, the Jewish community of Cuba embodies resilience and joy—and it is up to us, as part of the global Jewish family, to make sure they are never alone.