B'nei Israel Congregation - San José, Costa Rica |
Births, Brit Milahs, B’nei Mitzvah, Weddings, Conversions, Deaths are all personal events, but in a Congregation like B’nei Israel the whole community, as a big family, shares in these personal events. We relish the happiness of families blessed with a simchah and make ours the pain of those who lose a loved one.
Children are born and boys have a Brit Milah; boys and girls are presented in the Temple to receive a Jewish name. Some of our children didn’t have a Jewish name when we began our Congregation, and so, in 1992, Rabbi Roth conducted a lovely ceremony where fifteen children heard their Jewish names for the first time. Since then, we have given Hebrew names to all our newborn children.
B’nei Mitzvah are special in B’nei Israel. Teachers and tutors from the Jennifer Sossin Hebrew School prepare the youngsters. Of course the students learn the prayers and the beautiful songs of our Shabbat service, but the emphasis in the preparation for Bar and Bat Mitzvah is on the spiritual level, because we try to instil Jewish and universal values that will turn the child into a responsible Jewish adult. And we also have very good parties.
The preparation for a conversion, besides attending Shabbat and holiday services, includes a year-long Introduction to Judaism course and Outreach sessions. We don’t have a mikveh in our Synagogue, but since Costa Rica has beautiful beaches, we go to the ocean for a mikveh or find bodies of running waters in the homes or farms of our members.
Weddings are always joyful and our members love to accompany bride and groom in this sacred ceremony of love. A few years ago, a couple that got married in our Synagogue donated their chupah to us, and since then, many couples have stood under it. This year, the first girl that had her Bat Mitzah in B’nei Israel and who lives in New York, will come home with her fiancé to be married in our Congregation. We hope their children will also receive their Hebrew names in our Temple.
When life comes to an end, we are there to show respect and support to the bereaved. Our Cemetery is a peaceful garden where we can intern our loved ones and officiate their final rites, according to Liberal Judaism traditions.
Our aim is to be present when our services are needed. Joy and respect, laughter and tears are shared with dignity in this observant and honourable congregation, as a family that indeed stays together at all times.
- Hilda ten Brink
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Address:
700 meters West of Pops in the Sabana, on the old road to Escazu, corner building at your left. |