The Times of Israel

Relieved to see Maduro deposed, can Venezuela’s Jewish diaspora imagine returning?

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 16:58:59 +0000

An estimated 20,000 Venezuelan Jews fled state-fueled antisemitism during the Chavez era, leaving just 4,000 behind. They're hesitating to pick up the pieces for now

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After Maduro ouster, Venezuela’s embattled Jews watch cautiously from sidelines

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 23:29:08 +0000

Decades of repression from pro-Iran, anti-Zionist regime leave community wary of celebrating US raid, with deposed leader's deputy now in charge, but exiles hope for regime change

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Venezuela’s tight-knit Jewish community is still mourning its Surfside victims

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 00:18:04 +0000

After the number of Jews dwindled to roughly 6,000 from a peak of 25,000 in the '90s, denomination and ethnicity are not dividing lines and most people know each other by name

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Latin American Jews suffer lockdown on religion as virus ravages communities

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 23:39:16 +0000

Jewish leaders describe delicate balance between government steps to halt COVID-19 and religious observance, even as citizens wait out shutdowns and shortages

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As their former community crumbles, booming Miami is a haven for Venezuelan Jews

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 01:25:22 +0000

A crippled economy and decrease in security has led to an exodus which has seen more well-to-do families settling in Florida, paving the way for a growing Latin-Jewish community

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At 88, Venezuela’s would-be ambassador to Israel can’t wait to get to work

Sat, 14 Dec 2019 03:19:45 +0000

After 44 years as chief rabbi, Pynchas Brener is ready for a new career in diplomacy. But so far, Jerusalem recognizes him only as interim leader Guaido's 'special representative'

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Venezuelan actress compares President Maduro’s supporters to kapos

Mon, 06 May 2019 06:53:07 +0000

After outcry, Catherine Fulop apologizes for saying Jews were 'the fierce torturers of their own people' in interview on Holocaust Remembrance Day

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How Venezuela’s remaining Jews are hanging on amid the crisis

Sun, 05 May 2019 02:25:33 +0000

From a height of 25,000 members in the 1990s, the generations-old Jewish community is down to about 6,000 as the country's political and economic situation reaches a boiling point

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Venezuelan comic of Jewish descent pokes fun at stereotypes

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 10:34:34 +0000

Red-haired tornado of energy Joanna Hausmann likes to explore how puzzled Americans are when she says she's Latina

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Jews fleeing Venezuela for Israel face language barriers and work shortages

Sun, 24 Mar 2019 14:25:51 +0000

15,000 Jews have left the South American country in the past decade. For the hundreds who reach the Jewish state, high integration hurdles may mean their journeys have just begun

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Venezuelan challenger Guaido says he’s working to renew ties with Israel

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 17:40:36 +0000

Self-proclaimed leader tells Israeli paper talks 'at their height,' doesn't rule out embassy in Jerusalem; Foreign Ministry refuses to comment

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Venezuelan Jews accept Israeli recognition of opposition leader: Chief rabbi

Fri, 01 Feb 2019 21:42:19 +0000

Isaac Cohen’s statement seems to contradict his community’s policy of neutrality in the power struggle

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Top Venezuelan opposition figure asks Jewish expats to return

Tue, 29 Jan 2019 22:19:57 +0000

Maria Corina Machado thanks Netanyahu for recognizing Juan Guaido as interim president; says she hopes many who were forced to leave will now come back to rebuild nation

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Invoking Auschwitz liberation, Venezuela ‘president’ welcomes Israel recognition

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 07:33:25 +0000

Referring to Soviet troops' victory, Juan Guaido thanks Netanyahu for supporting him 'just as our country is also fighting for its freedom'

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Israel recognizes opposition leader’s new government in Venezuela

Sun, 27 Jan 2019 15:44:24 +0000

Jerusalem backs self-declared interim president Guaido, acceding to US request after earlier concerns Maduro regime could retaliate against local Jewish community

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