Raul Castro Attends Celebration of the Jewish Community of Cuba

by ALBERTO NUNEZ BETANCOURT

Havana, Monday, December 6th, 2010

A happy coincidence, Army General Raul Castro Ruz, President of the Councils of State and Ministers, described the date of the celebration of the Jewish people and important passages in our history, when meeting with members of the Jewish Community of Cuba in the Synagogue Board headquarters, during the fifth night of Hanukkah, the traditional celebration also known as festival of lights, which in Hebrew means consecration.

Raul recalled that on 5 December, 54 years ago, the Granma expedition, having landed, they were surprised and had their first combat, which was a great opening loss. But thirteen days later they met up with a group of men with Fidel in Cinco Palmas, where the Commander in Chief, with only seven rifles and a great conviction of victory, said: Now we can win the war!

Thanking them wholeheartedly for the opportunity sharing with those present, the Cuban president expressed his desire to meet on another occasion with the members of that community in Cuba, to talk about the fabulous history of the Jewish people.

The Army General also expressed his satisfaction about the discussions which began throughout the country from December 1st to help improve our economic model. You, as part of the Cuban people, will also give your views, he said.

After listening to the message of welcome from Adela Dworin, president of the Jewish Community of Cuba, Raul was invited to light the first of the five candles placed in the center of the room corresponding to the fifth night of the Jewish holiday.

Also as a reminder of his presence at the meeting, the President of the Jewish Community of Cuba gave him a Chumash, a compendium that contains the five books of the Torah.

During the festival, the visit made the Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz to the Jewish Community of Cuba Center was remembered, also at the celebration of Hanukkah, on December 20, 1998.

The audience enjoyed video projections and traditional dances and songs by children and youths of the Community Sunday School.

Also attending the ceremony were Caridad Diego Bello, head of the Office of Attention to Religious Affairs of the Party Central Committee, Dr. Eusebio Leal Spengler, Historian of Havana City, and invitees of the Council of Churches of Cuba and officials the Party and government.

Picture:  RAUL WAS INVITED TO LIGHT THE FIRST OF FIVE CANDLES PLACED IN THE CENTER OF ROOM CORRESPONDING TO THE FIFTH NIGHT OF THE JEWISH FESTIVAL

OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE PARTY CENTRAL COMMUNIST CUBA