Jewish, Spanish-speaking in Uruguay

Introduction / History

Due to the rise in anti-Semitism in Europe in the early 20th century, some Ashkenazi Jews (mainly from Germany, Poland and Eastern Europe) migrated to Uruguay’s capital city of Montevideo. At this time there was enough Orthodox Ashkenazi Jews to form a Chevia Kadisha (Holy Society). This society is established by Orthodox Jews to prepare the body of one who dies for interment. The men take care of the men and the women the women. Soon Sephardic Jews began to arrive from the Balkans, Syria, Cyprus, Morocco, Egypt, Greece, Turkey and France.

By 1918 the population grew to 1,700 with 75% being Sephardic and the others Ashkenazi. Sephardic’s were more liberal and freethinkers. There were some agnostics. In 1929 an Israelite Society was formed in the Uruguay city of Paysandu.

As more Jews immigrated to South America they originally settled in Brazil and Argentina. Then some migrated to Uruguay, by 1939 there were about 2,200 Jews in the country, mainly Ashkenazi Germans. After the war more came from Hungary and the Middle East. Despite the diversities between the two Jewish groups they had a deep sense of solidarity. Gradually synagogues, schools, libraries, social centers, a cemetery and newspapers in Yiddish, Ladino and Castilian were all available for all Uruguay’s Jewish people. By the end of WWII, the community reached its peak of 50,000 people.

Montevideo was the first Latin American capital to establish diplomatic ties with Israel. Antisemitism was virtually non-existent. During the military dictatorship that ruled Uruguay from 1973 to 1984, many Jews relocated to other countries for political and economic reasons. About 50% of Uruguayan Jews, mainly Sephardic, intermarried with the national Uruguayan’s. The reasons for this dramatic decline are related to decrease birth rate, the rise of anti-Semitism and the influence of Zionist teaching leading many to move to Israel.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Despite how small and dwindling the Jewish community in Uruguay is, it is not completely fading away. The popular beach resort, Punta del Este now has three synagogues — two are Sephardic Orthodox and one is affiliated with the Hasidic Chabad-Lubavitch movement. The predominantly labor, artisan and small business class of the 1920s gradually gave way to a social group of middle class merchants, laborers, industrialists, salaried employees and professionals. A few Uruguayan Jews have become wealthy and well known.

Education has always been important in the lives of these people and children are always encouraged to succeed in their studies. Uruguay’s Jews built a number of private Jewish schools. There are seven Jewish Youth Movements that bring together young Zionists, with activities that seek the educational, social and ideological development of its members. Jewish Zionist values are transmitted to boys and girls from 4 to 18 years old. This has contributed to why some young Jewish people have left Uruguay for Israel. By the early 21st century, the younger generation of Uruguayan Jews, being highly educated, received high paying jobs in various professional fields of work. At the same time the remaining lower middle class Jews (such as small merchants or employees working in small businesses or factories) have faced economic hardship and unemployment. Recent increase in unemployment has also caused some young, professionals to leave the country for better jobs in other countries.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Jewish community sponsors seminars on the Talmud and Judaism in the School of Law of the University of the Republic and other private universities. Because of the predominantly secular trends in the community, there is little religious extremism. There are small groups of Ashkenazi Orthodox Jews who came from Hungary and Romania in the 1950s that formed the Kehillah (community) Adat Yere'im. This is a congregation of Jewish people who conform to the laws of the Talmud (Jewish Law of Old Testament) given originally to the Israelite. They make efforts to help others in need in their community. When problems come up they settle the issues according to Jewish Law of the Old Testament. Uruguayan Reform Jews do not submit to the Kehillah Adat Yere’im and are under the rule of the state government of the country they are living in.

What Are Their Needs?

Most Uruguayan Jews do not understand the significance of having God in their lives. They are secular or cultural Jews. Some have married Christians or have Christian friends, mainly Catholics and do not want to mix religion into their lives. Strong believers, well-grounded on God’s word, are needed to reach out to these people in friendship so they can provide a strong witness to them. Uruguayan Jews need to understand prophecies of the Old Testament that were fulfilled in Jesus in order that all people would know the saving grace of Jesus.

Prayer Points

Pray that Evangelical believers will reach out to these people. With the increase of Uruguayan Jews migrating to Israel. Pray messianic believers will develop strong friendships and witness to these people.
Pray Jewish people will be directed to where they can hear Bible radio broadcasts and be willing to listen to the programs.
Pray that the JESUS Film will be available to them.
Pray that Uruguayan Jews will understand that following Christ will not take away their Jewish identity.

Text Source:   Joshua Project