Guadalajara

Today's post involves an upcoming conference sponsored by the Union of Jewish Congregations of Latin America and the Caribbean (UJCL). I hope to join El Salvador's delegation as they travel to Guadalajara, Mexico in January. Meetings will also serve as a way to meet leaders from Jewish communities throughout Central American and the Caribbean.

The conference's theme is "Tikkun Olam," in Hebrew meaning good deeds or mitzvhot. My investment in this theme is paramount as I am particularly interested in the organization's thoughts on community building, local AID involvement, and international monetary contributions. What is the Union's emphasis on community building in the region? Where does this fall in terms of importance? The community of Nicaragua has all but disappeared....would it be an act of Tikkun Olam to search for the remaining Nicaraguan Jews and invite them back into the Union? What is the Jewish responsibility to the State? What is the Jewish responsibility to Israel? Which takes precedence? As is the case with most acts of compassion and goodwill, identity and experience provide an individual's foundation from which to give.

For more information on the UJCL and the upcoming conference in Guadalajara, check out: www.ujcl.org