Cuban Jewish leader: Our synagogues have no need for security

The vice president of the Cuban Jewish community says that the country’s synagogues do not require security.

“We are the only country with a synagogue that has its doors constantly open, where there is no kind of security at all, no kind of guards,” David Prinstein tells the Agencia Judía de Noticias news portal. “There is no type of anti-Semitic expression against Jews and synagogues.”

Prinstein also praises interfaith dialogue as a priority for Jews on the island.

“We are part of a Cuban interreligious platform, where we hold continuous meetings tackling topics in common and positive for all parties,” he says. “This has made possible an excellent relationship with all other religious denominations.”

Prinstein also calls the Cuban government’s relationship with the 1,500-strong Jewish community “excellent.”

“It is a very open relationship, very sincere and above all respectful,” he says.

The island nation has three synagogues and two cemeteries. “It’s just like the saying: two Jews, three synagogues,” Prinstein jokes.

— JTA