Community Magazine August 2006

46 Community Magazine  ”  T he J ewish community in A rgentina has deep roots, dating back to the Spanish Inquisition in the 15 th Century. Since then, Jews maintained a continuous presence in this South American country with many waves of immigration increasing the Jewish presence over the years. After the Second World War, hundred of thousands of European Jews came to South America looking for asylum, turning Argentina’s Jewish community into the largest in South America and one of the biggest in the world. By the year 1960, half a million Jews lived in Argentina and the country boasted a large Sephardic population which hailed from Turkey, Lebanon and most of all Syria. The early Jewish arrivals in Argentina founded their own farming colonies in the large Pampa plains, but over the years, the population shifted to the capital, Buenos Aires, where the Jews began living among their gen- tile neighbors. Although the Jewish immigrants filled the synagogues and practiced tradition, there was no continuity for future generations. While there were Jewish Schools, the educationwasn’t particularly Jewish. Without an infrastructure to teach the children, hundreds of thousands lost their Jewish tradition to ignorance, assimila- tion and intermarriage. As a result, today, Argentina’s Jewish population is estimated at around 250,000 and continues to be in dire danger of shrinking further. Abright star during this difficult time, was the Notary and Belgian Consul, Mr. Isidro Masel, z”l. Turning against the modern ideology that encouraged Jewish children to seek a secular education, Mr. Masel started a revolution to counteract the disappearance of the Jewish popu- lation in Argentina with the founding of the country’s first true yeshiva in the 1940’s. Although small, the institution changed Argentinean history and a few years later, Mr. Masel established the first religious Jewish school in South America: “Heichal Hatorah”. Aside from the years he spent working to build the school, Mr. Masel used his entire personal fortune to realize his dream and when he passed away, left the remainder of his assets to the community. Heichal Hatorah started in 1951 with 70 students. In 2000, the institution boasted 400 students and included a pre-school, elementary school, high school for girls and a teacher’s seminary – all of which are now crammed into a building which was designed for at most 200 students. While the need for new facilities was appar- ent for some time, raising funds for such a project in Argentina has become exceedingly difficult. In April 1992, terrorists – with Iranian back- ing – bombed the Israeli Embassy in Argentina killing 32 people. Two years later, the Jewish community headquarters (AMIA) in Buenos Aires was bombed by Hezbollah, killing 87 people and wounding more than 100 others. As a result, many families started to hide their Jewish identity out of fear and began sending their children to non-Jewish schools. Then in 2001, the Argentinean economy catastrophically collapsed literally overnight. Bank accounts were frozen and withdrawals were restricted for several years. The currency devalued nearly 70 percent and many foreign investors ceased operations in Argentina. In spite of this situation, the Heichal Hatorah board refused to jeopardize the future of Argentina’s Jews and forged ahead to purchase a large property to accommodate the school’s overflowing student body and allow for con- tinued growth. The new five story building, currently under construction, will house boys from pre-school to eighth grade and includes a host of modern academic facilities. The school also hopes to attract students who might otherwise end up with a secular education. In all, the administra- tion expects that by 2010, enrollment will triple throughout the institution. The future of Torah in Argentina is rooted in the proper education of its youth. Help us to continue building a foundation of Torah in Argentina! These young men and women will shape the next generation of Jewish life in Argentina. The survival of this sacred com- munity is crucial, not only for the Jews of South America, but for world Jewry at large. CM Heichal Hatorah • Ecuador 936 Buenos Aires – Cap. – Argentina U.S. Contact: Rabbi Y.Mohadeb 718-645-6378 Email: elikaler@hotmail.com All Donation Are Tax Deductible EID-11-2811152 For tax deductible donations please make checks to: KOLLEL CHOFETZ CHAIM Argentinean Youth at Lunch Time Heichal Hatorah Past, Present and Future of the Argentinean Jewish Community The Future Building Rabbis & Educators of Heichal Hatorah