Honduras
In the bustling capital of Tegucigalpa and beyond, a profound Jewish awakening is transforming lives across Honduras. The emerging Jewish communities represent one of Central America’s most moving stories of ancestral memory reborn—descendants of Sephardic Jews who fled the Spanish Inquisition are now reclaiming their heritage with unprecedented passion and commitment.
This revival began as individuals discovered family traditions that suddenly made sense: candles lit on Friday evenings, avoidance of pork, whispered Hebrew prayers passed down through generations. What started as personal journeys of discovery has blossomed into organized communities seeking formal recognition and authentic Jewish practice. Kulanu has been instrumental in nurturing this renaissance, providing educational resources, rabbinic guidance, and—most significantly—facilitating the historic donation of a Torah scroll that has become the spiritual centerpiece of Honduran Jewish life.
Celebration on receiving gift of a Torah
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Discover Honduras
Uncovering Hidden Heritage
Across Honduras, families are discovering that their ancestors’ “unusual customs” were actually Jewish practices preserved in secret for centuries. The lighting of candles on Friday nights, the covering of mirrors during mourning, special bread recipes, and even lullabies sung in Ladino are being recognized as fragments of Sephardic Jewish life that survived the Inquisition. Under the guidance of scholars like Genie Milgrom, Kulanu’s Director of Anousim programs, community members are learning to piece together their ancestral puzzle, connecting modern Jewish practice with family memories that stretch back generations.
Building Sacred Community
The Honduran Jewish communities demonstrate remarkable dedication to authentic Jewish observance despite geographic isolation from established Jewish centers. Members gather regularly for Shabbat services, study sessions, and holiday celebrations, creating vibrant spiritual lives centered on Torah learning and mitzvah observance. The diversity within the community is striking—professionals, students, families, and individuals from various backgrounds united by their shared commitment to Jewish life. Their enthusiasm for learning Hebrew, keeping kosher, and observing Jewish law reflects a deep hunger for authentic connection to their rediscovered heritage.
Kulanu’s Sacred Partnership
The pinnacle of Kulanu’s support came with the historic Torah donation ceremony, featuring speakers from across the Jewish world including Lila Held and Hazzan Lance Tapper of Congregation Beth Shalom in Whittier, California, Kulanu leadership including President Harriet Bograd and First Vice President Bonita Sussman, and Rabbi Eliahu Birnbaum of Ohr Torah Stone in Israel. This sacred scroll, celebrated in beautiful ceremonies both in the United States and Honduras, represents more than parchment and ink—it embodies the global Jewish community’s embrace of these returning souls.