During the last Shabbat (May 8–9 / 21–22 Iyar), the Max Nordau Synagogue of Valparaíso, Chile, celebrated its 110th anniversary. The country’s first synagogue was founded in 1916 by a group of Jews from diverse backgrounds — Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews from the Ottoman and Russian Empires. Located in the country’s main port city, the synagogue welcomed and supported Jews arriving in Chile in the early 20th century. After several years, ritual and linguistic differences became too great to keep the community united, and the Ashkenazi group established its own institution.
Since then, the Sociedad Israelita de Instrucción y Beneficencia “Max Nordau” of Valparaíso has proudly remained Sephardic, adopting liberal principles and practices throughout the decades while combining them with the traditional Izmir nusach. Today, Max Nordau is led by hazzan Abraham Levy, together with president Leonor Cohen and rabbinical student Jocelyn San Martín — a student at the Reform Rabbinical Institute.
UJR-AmLat had the honor of participating in the youth-led Kabbalat Shabbat and in the ceremony celebrating the community’s 110th anniversary, which included messages from the Israeli ambassador to Chile, Rabbi Martín Hirsch, leaders of the Jewish Community of Chile, and UJR-AmLat Executive Director David Britva Beraha.
The ceremony also included a tribute from Valparaíso’s 15th Fire Company, known as “Bomba Israel.” In Chile, firefighters are volunteers, and many companies are sponsored by foreign nations. The 15th Company is supported by the State of Israel through an agreement facilitated by members of the Max Nordau synagogue. At the end of the ceremony, hazzan Abraham Levy led an emotional session of Ladino songs.
In addition to the ceremonies, our team met with the community’s youth leadership — organized by UJR education coordinator André Liberman — and with the liturgical team, advancing the project to re-edit the community’s Shabbat siddur.
