Curiosities

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is an important and renowned worldwide organization that fights anti-Semitism. The Anti-Defamation League's programs and activities are intended to combat hate and prejudice.

The first Jews in North America were Sephardim. In the year 1700, there were only 300 Jews in the United States. Starting in the 18th century, German Jews began to immigrate to the United States and, despite being Ashkenazim, they joined Sephardic synagogues.

In the Hebrew language, “Shalom” can mean “Hello”, “See you later” and “Peace”. The root of this Hebrew word means to be complete, whole and content. Our Sages teach that when a person is whole and balanced, physically and spiritually, he or she achieves peace in his or her life.

When dictator Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba in 1959, 94% of Cuba's 15,000 Jews emigrated from the country. They went to several countries: Israel, the United States, Venezuela and Panama. Cuba's Jewish community – persecuted by Fidel's regime and banned from practicing Judaism – was made up of the few Jews who remained in the country.

It is customary to eat dairy products on the morning of the festival of Shavuot, after morning prayers.

On the first day of Shavuot, the Ten Commandments are read in all synagogues. It is of the utmost importance that parents participate together with their children.

On the 3rd of Sivan, the days of preparation for the festival of Shavuot begin. On this day, G‑d commanded Moses to “encircle the mountain and sanctify it” in preparation for receiving the Torah, which occurred on Sivan 6.

Yom Yerushalaim: Jerusalem Day. This festive date is the anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem, the Holy City, the eternal capital of the Jewish people. In 1967, Israel defeated the Arab armies in the Six-Day War and reunited Jerusalem, which had been divided and partially occupied by Jordan since the Israeli War of Independence.