Community Magazine October 2019

38 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE “Brazilian Jews are different from American Jews,” Rabbi Rosenfeld told Community Magazine . “No matter how non-observant they are, American Jews are affiliated Jewishly in some capacity or other. In Brazil, there are Jews with no Jewish affiliation whatsoever. That’s one of the reasons a religious school like Beit Yaacov that provides an excellent secular and religious education is so important.” Sephardic Jews, he says, are the exception. “Sephardim have excellent teachers and rabbis. Parents set very good examples for their children, as well.” Happiness, Hesed , and a Strong Jewish Life Characterize the Community Brazilian Jews have much of which to be proud. They are extremely generous. In 1992, the community founded the Israeli charity Ten Yad (Give a Hand), to fight hunger and social injustice. The charity distributes over 700 tons of food each year to thousands of people in need of help. The Albert Einstein Jewish Hospital, as well, one of South America’s leading hospitals, built from donations from Brazil’s renowned Jewish families, is a tribute to all of Brazil. For many of São Paulo’s Jews, life is good. “Because of the tropical weather–it’salwayssunnyhere–peopleareinagoodmood,”RabbiRosenfeld notes. “Brazilians are happy people. They are tolerant and respectful of others. Communities get along well with one another.” Still, economic disparities and hardships incite violence city-wide. Few people venture out alone at night, and armed guards protect schools and synagogues. Despite the violence, anti-Semitic incidents are rare. Brazil's Jews lead openly religious lives. Two large kosher supermarkets are filled with kosher products from Brazil, Canada, the U.S., and Israel. Kosher restaurants attract hordes of children, young people, and adults. Brazil’s President Jair Messias Bolsonaro and the Jews So, what do Brazil’s Jews think of their new controversial President Jair Messias Bolsonaro? Bolsonaro, Brazil’s 38 th president, is a member of the Conservative Social Liberal Party. Critics decry his far-right, populist views. Still, he has initiated more friendly relations between Israel and Brazil. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended Bolsonaro’s inauguration, and Bolsonaro reciprocated by visiting Israel. On his first day there, the Brazilian president tried pronouncing the words, "I love Israel," in Hebrew. He also wants to establish a "more balanced Brazilian foreign policy in the Middle East." Previous Brazilian presidents were not as accommodating. President Dilma Rousseff, impeached due to corruption allegations, criticized Israel's confrontation with Hamas, calling Israel’s actions “disproportionate." President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the first Brazilian Head of State to visit Israel, remained critical of Israel throughout his presidency. He is now serving time in prison for corruption. In contrast, Bolsonaro personally awarded Israel’s ambassador to the country, Yossi Shelley, the National Order of the Southern Cross, Brazil’s highest honor for foreigners. No question, the new president’s openly pro-Israel stance is much appreciated by Brazilian Jews who are very Zionistic. “America has politically influential pro-Israel Jews. Here, there are none. Bolsonaro is a very good friend to Israel, for no reason other than that he is an ohev Yisroel . He gets nothing back in return. Yoel Bamea, the Israel Consul General, recently told our young people that with Bolsanaro, it is like the days of the Mashiah as regards Israeli diplomacy in Brazil. Israel never saw anything like this before.” But, is he good for Brazil? “Brazilian Jews don’t mix into politics,” Rabbi Rosenfeld explains. “We’ve lived through twelve years of one extreme [left-wing politicians]. President Bolsanaro is trying to change things in Brazil. He has good intentions. Brazil’s Jews are willing to give him a chance.” The Albert Einstein Jewish Hospital Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Kotel. Rabbi David Weitman Rabbi Eliyahu Rosenfeld addressing his congregation.