Congregacao Israelita Paulista
Encyclopedia
The Congregação Israelita Paulista (São Paulo Israelite Congregation) in São Paulo
, is the largest synagogue
in Latin America
, serving more than 350 people. Established in 1936 by a group of refugees from Nazi Germany
, it is a Reform
synagogue, but also has ties with the Conservative movement
.
The rabbinate of the congregation that follows the liberal movements of Judaism (although not only affiliated to the Reform Movement
, but also affiliated to the Conservative Movement
), - is currently composed by rabbis Henry Sobel
(president of the rabbinate), Yehuda Busquila and Michel Schlesinger, including the assistant to the rabbinate, Uri Lam, who has plans to initiate his studies to eventually be ordained as a rabbi in the near future. There are also the chazanim (cantors
) Avi Bursztein and Alexandre Edelstein.
Because CIP is known for being the largest Jewish congregation in Latin America
, in membership, they promote a diverse number of activities: religious services, Jewish study groups, informal Jewish school, choir
, activities for senior citizens, fields of study, youth groups (Chazit Hanoar), Boy Scouts
(in Avanhandava), distinguishing itself positively in São Paulo
's Jewish community which is estimated at sixty thousand Jews
.
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
, is the largest synagogue
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
in Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
, serving more than 350 people. Established in 1936 by a group of refugees from Nazi Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, it is a Reform
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
synagogue, but also has ties with the Conservative movement
Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism is a modern stream of Judaism that arose out of intellectual currents in Germany in the mid-19th century and took institutional form in the United States in the early 1900s.Conservative Judaism has its roots in the school of thought known as Positive-Historical Judaism,...
.
The rabbinate of the congregation that follows the liberal movements of Judaism (although not only affiliated to the Reform Movement
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
, but also affiliated to the Conservative Movement
Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism is a modern stream of Judaism that arose out of intellectual currents in Germany in the mid-19th century and took institutional form in the United States in the early 1900s.Conservative Judaism has its roots in the school of thought known as Positive-Historical Judaism,...
), - is currently composed by rabbis Henry Sobel
Henry Sobel
Henry Sobel is a Brazilian reform rabbi and an American citizen, and was president of the Congregação Israelita Paulista , the second largest Jewish congregation in Latin America, in São Paulo, Brazil....
(president of the rabbinate), Yehuda Busquila and Michel Schlesinger, including the assistant to the rabbinate, Uri Lam, who has plans to initiate his studies to eventually be ordained as a rabbi in the near future. There are also the chazanim (cantors
Hazzan
A hazzan or chazzan is a Jewish cantor, a musician trained in the vocal arts who helps lead the congregation in songful prayer.There are many rules relating to how a cantor should lead services, but the idea of a cantor as a paid professional does not exist in classical rabbinic sources...
) Avi Bursztein and Alexandre Edelstein.
Because CIP is known for being the largest Jewish congregation in Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
, in membership, they promote a diverse number of activities: religious services, Jewish study groups, informal Jewish school, choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
, activities for senior citizens, fields of study, youth groups (Chazit Hanoar), Boy Scouts
Scouting in Brazil
The Scout and Guide movement in Brazil is served by* Federação de Bandeirantes do Brasil, member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts...
(in Avanhandava), distinguishing itself positively in São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
's Jewish community which is estimated at sixty thousand Jews
Jews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
.
Leadership
- Rabbi Michel Schlesinger - Chief Rabbi
- Rabbi Yehuda Busquila.
- Rabbi Henry SobelHenry SobelHenry Sobel is a Brazilian reform rabbi and an American citizen, and was president of the Congregação Israelita Paulista , the second largest Jewish congregation in Latin America, in São Paulo, Brazil....
- Rabbi Emeritus