Jewish Caribbean

Today, I welcomed Rabbi Levi Zarchi to La Fortaleza, along with a distinguished group of spiritual leaders and rabbis from fifteen Caribbean islands, who are gathered in Puerto Rico as part of a regional conference being held on our Island. Puerto Rico is honored to serve as a meeting point for dialogue, faith, and unity across the Caribbean region. - Hoy le di la bienvenida en La Fortaleza al Rabino Levi Zarchi, junto a un distinguido grupo de líderes espirituales y rabinos de quince islas del Caribe, quienes se encuentran reunidos en Puerto Rico como parte de una conferencia regional que se celebra en nuestra isla. Puerto Rico se honra en servir como punto de encuentro para el diálogo, la fe y la unidad en toda la región del Caribe.

Getting flexed on in ways I had never even previously conceived of in the office today

Hurricane Melissa Wrecks Jamaica and Its Chabad Center. Rabbi Yaakov and Chaya Raskin and their children are safe, sheltering in a windowless room after doors blew off, windows shattered, and power failed—Torah scrolls secured in the mikvah room. Just three days ago forecasts told locals to expect a tropical storm. By the time it became clear Melissa was turning into the strongest hurricane on the planet this year the airports were closed. With no choice but to stay in Jamaica, the Raskins pivoted towards ensuring the safety of their family and their community. Read More: chabad.org/7093860

As Hurricane Melissa draws closer to Jamaica, forecasters expect it to unleash catastrophic flooding, landslides and widespread damage. It would be the strongest hurricane to hit the island since record-keeping began in 1851.

This morning we're shopping for kosher food at the small store at the Martinique synagogue