In 1984, two kindergarteners from Country Day School in San José, Costa Rica - Saul Herckis and Alberto Bonilla - discovered they were both Jewish. Their parents, who didn't belong to the Centro Israelita - the only synagogue in the country at that time - because they were not Orthodox in their beliefs or in their pratices, began to meet weekly to celebrate Shabbat. They were soon joined by other families who felt the need for communal prayer and celebration.

    Thus was Congregation B'nei Israel born.

    They first met in private homes, taking turns leading the prayers. But their dream was to have a synagogue to satisfy all the needs of a community that was growing daily.

    The dream of these founding members, to have a permanent home, became a reality on May 26, 1989, when they held their first religious service in the Escazú building.

    In November 1998 we could finally purchase the building.

    And in September 2000, we inaugurated our new building, our first home designed to be a Synagogue.

    From two families who celebrated Shabbat together, B'nei Israel has grown to be a congregation of 70 families and almost 300 members. Though there are still rivers to cross and mountains to climb, our dreams are becoming reality. This small synagogue is the echo of the past, the voice of the present, and the hope of the future for Costa Rica's Reform Jews and for Jews everywhere.

- Derryl Molina

Adapted from "History of Congregation B'nei Israel, 1986-1994"

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Address:  700 meters West of Pops in the Sabana, on the old road to Escazu, corner building at your left. Tel. 231-5243  /  Fax:         /  E-mail:  congbnei@racsa.co.cr