Israel has always been a bit of a mystery to me, and I know I am…
In honor of Birthright Israel’s 25th anniversary, we’re proud to spotlight 25 outstanding alumni and share their inspiring stories with you.
I’m from Havana, Cuba, and I’ve been part of the Jewish community since I was a child. My family is deeply involved: my mom is the vice president of the Beth Shalom Synagogue, the most important congregation in Cuba. I grew up going to services every Friday night for Kabbalat Shabbat and every Saturday morning for Shacharit. I attended Sunday school where we learned about Judaism, Hebrew, Jewish history, and Israel. My bar mitzvah was one of the greatest days of my life.
I became very involved in leading religious services, reading from the Torah, helping with celebrations like Pesach and Hanukkah, and assisting on Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah. I joined our youth organization, became part of our Israeli dance group, and later became part of the youth board. I’ve always felt a deep sense of responsibility to pass down what I’ve learned to the next generation.
Sports have also played a big role in my life. I practice karate — my parents were karate teachers, and my mom even competed in the Maccabiah Games in the 1990s. In 2013, I was only 13 years old when I traveled to Israel for the first time as part of Cuba’s delegation to the Maccabiah Games. I was the flag bearer and won a bronze medal in karate. It was a huge honor. I returned in 2017 and again in 2022, winning gold and bronze medals.
After the Covid-19 pandemic, when Birthright Israel trips resumed in 2023, Cuba sent a special group of young adults. I was chosen to be the madrich for our cohort of 11, which included members from Havana and smaller communities like Cienfuegos and Camagüey. Though I had been to Israel before, this was my first time experiencing it through Birthright Israel.
It was absolutely incredible. We joined a group from Chile and had an Argentine madricha leading alongside me. That cross-cultural connection made the trip even more special. We traveled all over Israel — Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Tzfat, and the Negev. We spoke with Bedouins and Arab Israelis, visited historical sites, and talked about the complexities of Israeli society. Our guide, Dan, was so knowledgeable. Every moment of that trip was unforgettable.
As madrich, I felt a huge responsibility. Many participants in the group were my friends and close in age to me, so balancing leadership with friendship wasn’t easy. But that closeness also helped me show them how deeply we are all connected — to our Jewish identity, to Israel, and to each other. Every time I see photos and videos from the trip, I remember how meaningful it was. We made friends for life.
Growing up, my mom taught me the importance of being Jewish, not just through her words but through actions. She started as a Hebrew school teacher and went on to become the executive secretary and now the vice president of our synagogue. She’s my role model.
My family’s history goes back to Europe and Asia — my great-grandfather was Sephardi from Turkey, and my great-grandmother was Ashkenazi from Poland. Most of her family perished in the Holocaust. They met, married, and eventually made their way to Cuba around 1943. My grandfather was born in Spain and raised in Havana. I think because of our history — of persecution, migration, and survival — we feel a deep commitment to Jewish continuity. The best way to honor our past is to stay connected to our traditions and be proud of who we are.
That’s why I created the Havana Jewish Tour, a project I’m very proud of. I give tours to visitors from around the world, sharing our history and showing them the beauty of Jewish life in Cuba. I launched a website (havanajewishtour.com) and Instagram account to expand our reach. Cuba has many economic problems, and our Jewish community is small but very close-knit. The donations we receive through these tours help sustain our local Jewish community, and it’s one of the most important ways I can give back.
Professionally, I’m an engineer in telecommunications and electronics. I teach and conduct research at the Technological University of Havana, where I’m also working on a master’s degree. But no matter where my career takes me, I will always stay connected to the Jewish community. Whether through youth leadership, tours, cultural projects, or just helping out wherever needed, I’ll always be involved.
One of the projects I’m most proud of was developed during my time as a Lauder Fellow with the World Jewish Congress. With the help of a fellow community member who’s a software engineer, I created a mobile app that teaches about important Jewish personalities in Cuban history. It promotes our heritage and connects with local businesses and tour groups interested in Jewish Cuba. It’s a way to preserve our legacy and share it with the world.
For anyone wondering whether to support Birthright Israel, I would say this: Birthright Israel helps young Jews understand why Israel matters, why Jewish identity matters. It brings together people from different backgrounds, shows them the real Israel, and gives them a shared experience that lasts forever.
There’s no other place in the world like Israel. And there’s no other program like Birthright Israel. I’m proud to be part of it, and proud to share my story with you.
