In a significant diplomatic engagement, Stan Polovets, Co-founder and Chairman of The Genesis Prize Foundation, recently traveled to Havana to meet with leaders of Cuba’s Jewish community. The visit, amid Cuba’s ongoing economic challenges, underscored the Foundation’s commitment to bolstering Jewish presence throughout Latin America.
During his time in Havana, Polovets met with Hella Askenazi, Vice President of the Cuban Jewish community and Beth Shalom Synagogue, locally known as El Patronato. Their meeting at the synagogue, conducted mainly in darkness due to rolling blackouts, required participants to use cell phone lights to see each other—a stark illustration of Cuba’s current infrastructure difficulties.
“The resilience of this small but proud community, numbering less than one thousand people, is deeply inspiring,” Polovets remarked after the visit. He observed that despite the “immense problems caused by economic mismanagement by the Communist government,” which have been “exacerbated by the U.S. embargo imposed over 60 years ago,” the Jewish identity of Cuban Jews continues to shine brightly, “quite literally, in the dark.”
Stan Polovets noted several unique characteristics of Cuba’s Jewish community that stood out during his visit. Particularly striking was the absence of security personnel at the synagogue—a sharp contrast to virtually every other Jewish community he had visited worldwide, including those in the United States. This reflected what Polovets described as “almost no antisemitism in the country” and a flourishing religious life despite economic hardships.
The timing of Polovets’ visit aligns with the Genesis Prize Foundation’s expanding focus on Latin America, particularly following the selection of Argentinian President Javier Milei as the 2025 Genesis Prize laureate. “President Milei was selected for his unwavering support for the Jewish people and the State of Israel,” Stan Polovets explained, highlighting Milei’s commitment to moving Argentina’s embassy to Jerusalem and bringing justice to those responsible for past terrorist attacks against Jewish targets in Argentina.
Polovets specifically praised the Cuban Jewish community for its courage in standing up for Israel following the October 7th attacks, noting that, unlike many Jewish organizations in Latin America that remained silent, the Cuban Jewish community publicly rejected their government’s anti-Israel rhetoric.
The Jewish presence in Cuba dates back centuries, with conversos arriving alongside Spanish explorers in the 16th century. The community peaked at over 15,000 members before the 1959 Revolution, which prompted mass emigration. Today, Cuba’s small remaining Jewish population depends mainly on support from global organizations like the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC).
“The Genesis Prize Foundation recognizes the incredible perseverance of Cuban Jewry,” Stan Polovets emphasized. “Their story is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Jewish people.” He called for private foundations and donors to join efforts ensuring the survival of “this resilient and unique community.”
Through his leadership at the Genesis Prize Foundation, Stan Polovets continues to advance Jewish causes globally while bringing attention to lesser-known communities facing unique challenges. His visit to Cuba represents a broader effort to strengthen Jewish identity worldwide and support communities facing challenging circumstances while fostering deeper ties between Latin American nations and Israel.
