Guatemala
In the highlands of Guatemala City, at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level, a remarkable Jewish revival has taken root. The Asociación Judía Reformista de Guatemala Adat Israel represents one of Latin America’s most inspiring stories of Jewish renewal—a community that emerged from scattered individuals seeking authentic Jewish life and has grown into Guatemala’s official Reform congregation and proud member of the World Union for Progressive Judaism.
Founded in 1999 with guidance from Rabbi Elyse Goldstein of Toronto, Adat Israel rose from the ashes of an earlier Reform community that had dissolved in the 1970s when most members joined the established Orthodox synagogue. Today, this thriving community demonstrates the power of determination and faith, having overcome discrimination and obstacles to create a welcoming space for progressive Jewish life in Central America.
Yad Eliyahu Community of Goiania, Goiás, celebrates havdalah, 2015
Location
Guatemala City
Denomination
Reform Judaism
Community size
35 Active Member
Languages
Spanish
Kulanu Support Since
2010
Discover Guatemala
Reclaiming Ancient Roots
Many Adat Israel members trace their ancestry to conversos who arrived in Guatemala during the Colonial Period, making their return to Judaism a profound homecoming. The community has embraced this historical connection while building new traditions that honor both their Jewish heritage and Guatemalan identity. Their journey of rediscovery includes learning Hebrew, studying Torah with Spanish commentaries, and celebrating holidays with local flavors—from challah baked in wood-fired ovens to Passover seders featuring traditional Guatemalan foods alongside matzah sent by Kulanu supporters.
A Community of Choice and Commitment
What makes Adat Israel extraordinary is that every single member has either undergone or is currently pursuing Jewish conversion. This shared experience of choosing Judaism creates deep bonds and passionate commitment to Torah learning. The community includes not only native Guatemalans but also families from Mexico, Nicaragua, and Colombia, united by their embrace of progressive Jewish values including gender equality, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and maintaining connections to Guatemalan culture. They gather for intensive Shabbat experiences, remaining at their synagogue from Friday evening through Saturday night for prayer, study, and fellowship.
Kulanu’s Transformative Partnership
Kulanu’s support has been nothing short of miraculous for Adat Israel. Beyond facilitating the 2012 conversion of twenty members through a visiting Beit Din, Kulanu has provided Hebrew language courses, Talmudic literature, a trilingual machzor, and funding for community members to attend international conferences and youth programs at Brandeis Collegiate Institute. The crown jewel came when a Torah scroll from a closing synagogue in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, found its new home in Guatemala City—a gift that symbolizes the global Jewish community’s embrace of their journey.