The Transition: English

As promised, here is yesterday's speech translated into English.

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January 11, 2006

Recognition of Past Leaders from the Jewish Community of El Salvador.

Today is a celebration of life. And when Jews celebrate, we also celebrate blessings. In the Commentary entitled “The Main Blessing” taken from a Parable of the Talmud which deals precisely with blessings, a certain rabbi states that there is no greater blessing than to see virtues we may have duplicated in those who come after us. That those who come after us display the same virtues that we appreciate so much and that we are able to pass along all those things we have been blessed with so that they go on doing good throughout the world.

The change in Directors represents a tremendous challenge. This challenge is as clear and defined as it is difficult and complex. We are all an ancient chain in the Jewish tradition passed on from generation to generation, and each one of us is a link in this chain that cannot and should not be broken. On the contrary, we and those future links, must be strengthened.

Today we acknowledge, celebrate and bless those who have done precisely that throughout their lives: strengthened the Jewish ancient chain. We hope we can continue their work so that they see their good deeds producing fruit in our children, their grandchildren. We hope that we are able to disseminate and teach the values we have been taught. Hopefully some day we can bless our children with that which we have been blessed with so that we continue spreading good things in the world.

SARA SUSTER
Sara, like so many of us in this Community, first a janijá in the Noar, and then a madrijá. You also were Rosh Noar (a position given to very few), and then you led, as only you could lead, and were in charge of the youth during the most difficult years of the war, when there were no two children of the same age. When kvutzot was not allowed, and when it was dangerous to live in El Salvador.

You were always enthusiastic, committed, unwavering and determined and, when I asked others who grew up under your teachings they said you were strict and “yuca,” the way you had to be with children who enjoyed “doing nothing” too much. Your work with our Community’s youth has strengthened the Jewish lives in El Salvador and we are very grateful from the bottom of our hearts.

JACK DAVIDSON
Until Danny and Natalie got married, Jack and Lilian were the only “pure” couple in our Community. I say “pure” because they both grew up in it. Somebody told me about Jack this week: “Jack has always been warm, approachable and a friend to people from every generation.” In this context, his presence in the Community has been critical to involve, interest, motivate and to form people.

Not too many people can say they enjoy working at the cemetery, or that they like being a part of the Jevre Kadisha, or that through all of this he became interested as an adult in the Jewish life. I would like to make public a personal thank-you as you recruited me to work in the Community through the cemetery. You taught me, you led me, you demanded from me. You are my mentor.

Your work within the Community throughout these years has been very valuable. Your work as the “kid” in FEDECO, opening your home and being a warm host to members of the Community and guests who might visit us, your continued presence even when you were abroad; the wisdom with which you guided, led and managed the process of contracting our rabbis, and the wise counsel you give us to this day are but a few examples of your work within our Community. You have strengthened Jewish lives in El Salvador and we are deeply grateful to you.

ERNESTO FREUND
Ernesto, Don Ernesto, Papi. When I asked the people what I should say about you at this time, they all said I should say that you are a pilar of the Community. You have supported it for several years instituting, organizing and managing because you are a visionary. To find out what it means to support a Community for 80 years, your age, I had to tap into the Community’s memory banks. There is data from 1945 through the beginnings of the war in 1978.

The year 1955 was the first time in which you appear as Member of the Board, serving as Secretary. It says: “Construction Commission. This Commission is in charged of creating a Community Center to shelter under its roof not only religious services, but any activity related to the ever increasing members’ lives in our young Community.”

I would like to cite from the year 1966 in which you acted as pro-secretary. It reads: CONVENTION. The main topic was the Third Convention of Jewish Communities Federation in Central America and Panama, in which we were honored to be host to fellow believers of the other five countries in the istmo, from July 7th through the 10th… 60 children from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama and El Salvador participated in youth groups in 1967 held at the recreational center in “La Palma” from January 2nd through the 14th.

Don Max, his father and my grandfather, was the first Community President. You were the first Bar Mitzvah in the Community. You were the leader of the youth group and have served in several positions of the JD for very many years. You have supported the Community through its beginnings with Conventions, Constructions and even at religious services doing minián, as attested by recordings.

Besides supporting the Community, you have also supported your country by getting involved in education, environment and even the mayoralty in San Salvador. The slogan and visionary campaign “With faith in the Future” resulted in one of the most recognized civic contributions in our country.

You have strengthened the Jewish lives in El Salvador, and for that we are eternally grateful.

CLAUDIO KAHN
Claudio, for very many of us, you are the one who plays the Shofar on Yom Kippur. The one who opens and closes the ark. The one who fixes relationships in the political world, the Jewish world, in the El Salvador arena, or in the world in general. For some of us you are the one who fixes relationships within the Community as well. Personally, I have been greeted many times with these words: “Come by tonight. We’ll fix it over coffee.”

In the 80’s you and your family assumed a crucial role: Survival of the Community. Through your efforts and leadership the Jewish community was able to maintain the flame of traditions and teachings burning within our Community. I have heard that Rabbi Daniel Goldman gave you the title “Relojero” (the one who fixes watches) during a Sabbath dinner at the AMIA in Buenos Aires this past November 2005. Maybe you can expand on this later.

These last 10 years, you led and supported the contracting of several of our rabbis. You led and supported the formation of the UJCL, the Union of Liberal Congregations of Central America and the Caribbean. Your work to establish good relationships with American Jewish organizations like JDC (Joint Distribution Committee), AJC (American Jewish Congress), WJC (World Jewish Congress), the Anti-defamation League, Meeting of Presidents of American Jewish Communities, and others is especially outstanding. Your constant, frequent and fruitful travels resulted in tremendous benefits for the community. And even though you had much pending, both at work and with your family, you never ceased to travel.

Your outstanding contributions to the country include a long list of projects from your support of 4 Presidents of the Republic with the directorship in CORSAIN, your work as President of the Special Olympics’ Committee, your collaboration with the Foundation for Senior Citizens and several French organizations with activities in the country.

I believe that one of the best memories Claudio has imprinted in the Community is his scream of KIDDUSH at the end of the prayer to hurry people. I hope he allows us to continue doing this forever.

With all this, you have strengthened Jewish lives in El Salvador, and we are eternally grateful to you.


Text translated by Patricia Parten, Parten International