The Sephardic Community of Buenos Aires - popularly called Camargo, after the name of the street where its main temple is located - was founded more than a century ago, in 1914, by Jews from Turkey and the Balkans, mainly from the city of Izmir.
They arrived in Buenos Aires looking for a more promising future. It was at the beginning of the century, before the imminent Great War that was about to be unleashed in Europe. They chose that destination - among other reasons - because of the great similarity between Spanish and Ladino, the language they spoke in the Jewish quarters and after their expulsion from Spain. In general, they found a thriving country, eager to receive them.
In Buenos Aires, they established a large community, which included synagogues, a school and Talmud Torah, a cemetery, charities and a Chief Central Rabbinate who led the community.
Today, the community is in charge of a school and a Talmud Torah, a Yeshiva for teenagers, a Bet Midrash for university students and adults, several minyanim and synagogues, a Mikveh, and the Sephardic cemetery of Buenos Aires in the town of Bancalari. The community runs different educational and community outreach programs for the spreading of Judaism, with the participation of hundreds of young people.
In its early years (between 1929 and 1931), it was led by Chief Rabbi Shabetay Djaen, a native of Bulgaria, who previously served as Rabbi of the city of Monastir and as Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Romania. Starting in 1958 and for almost forty years (until his death in 1996), the community was led by Chief Rabbi Aaron Angel, also from Bulgaria and former Chief Rabbi of Alexandria. Since 1997, it has been directed by Chief Rabbi Isaac Sacca, born in Buenos Aires and trained in Jerusalem, a favorite student of Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.
The Sephardic Community of Buenos Aires is one of the largest in the world. As such, it is in charge of preserving and ennobling its own traditions and culture. In particular, it emphasizes the importance of serious study of Torah and culture as well as constant learning of their own history.
All of its Chief Rabbis held positions as educators and leaders in other fields and institutions, beyond their official position. In this way, it seeks to generate a global impact, outside the confines of the Kehillah. To pass on our values to everyone - Jewish and non-Jewish - through our example is the way to continue the immense legacy of our ancestors.
We in Buenos Aires are excited to grow our relationship with other Sephardic communities around the world, especially the Sephardic Brotherhood. I myself was fortunate enough to attend the National Sephardic Community Gala in New York in December, and am very much looking forward to new exciting collaborations between our two communities.
Comments