Welcome To 2025! And the Reflections On Cuba III

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Many residents have shared the long lines, months to book an appointment at the local DMV or having to travel to other cities or counties to get appointments at the DMV. With much thanks to our State Representative Marie Woodson and Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, we will host a one-day Mobile Unit Driver's License Service right here in Hallandale Beach. Wednesday, January 29th, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Cultural Community Center, 410 Southeast 3rd Street, CCC Room 107, Hallandale Beach, Florida 33009. Registration is required, please contact Luetisha Clark by calling: (954) 965-3700. Or via email at: Luetisha.Clark@myfloridahouse.gov.

This week, I continue with my reflections on Cuba. After visiting the Hotel National, we went to our Hotel in Old Havana. Wonderful attentive staff greeted us. The Hotel, while modern and clean, showed plenty of wear. This was the only place where we had internet access. I am still questioning where some of the pictures I took of decrepit buildings, potholes and trash filled streets went. We unpacked and had a leisurely dinner.

I must share I had the absolute best Ropa Vieja that I have ever tasted. Every single Cuban we met was simply wonderful, attentive and caring. Everyone enjoyed their food, and we walked through old Havana. The old historic buildings in this area were all well maintained but the side streets were idle with potholes, trash and wandering dogs. I found it strange that dogs were left simply running freely eating trash off the streets. We also saw on many occasions individuals rummaging through trash bins that have not been cleaned up for over three weeks.

Our second day, we were to go to the Jewish Cemetery, but that excursion was canceled unexpectedly. We did have the chance to visit the oldest Orthodox Temple. Sadly, the day before we arrived the President of the umbrella Jewish Organization had passed away. Cuba before the revolution had a population over 15,000 Jews who left Europe during the Russian Programs and WWII. Now the population has dwindled to 410.

The Rabbi in the small Jewish quarter explained he was the only Schochet. This is a certified person able to kill animals that meet Kosher standards, who can kill animals by the Kosher Regulations. The communist government owns everything including all animals, so this was a point of pride. He was able to be able to provide meat when many people simply had to wait in line for extremely limited groceries. Due to poverty and lack of food the Synagogue does share food and services to the surrounding community. We held a question-and-answer period about life in Cuba. The synagogue reminded me very much of our Chabad here in Hallandale Beach.

We headed out to the cigar factory. The factory was as it was for years. A four-story building walk-up, each floor was utilized for a brand and type of cigar. It was explained how there used to be a substantial number of rollers. Like much of the economy, there are extremely limited resources. We had a chance to watch the process. We were not allowed to go to the lower level to see the sorting of the tobacco leaves.

It was fascinating and yet sad to watch the mass hand production of cigars. Living in Florida over the years, I have watched a single roller but picture fifty plus in one room side by side rolling all day for a dollar a day. It was explained that often rollers would offer to sell their cigars and that discreetly we could buy them.

The most interesting lesson of the day was why Cohiba cigars were named and became the most famous. The CIA under plausible deniability plotted to assassinate Castro. There were over six hundred attempts to kill Castro; only eight could be substantiated. One method was to make a cigar explode or simply poison one of them. Castro ordered a specific area where only specific rollers could roll his cigars to protect him from death. Hence the name “C” oh “I” b ”A.” He would give these cigars to guests and dignitaries only.

Our next stop was a tour of the Museum of Fine Art. We had a private tour of the vast collection of major arts. The museum, while impressive, was very empty of people. The museum was getting ready for its Biennial. Esterio Segura was in the process of creating his exhibition depicting some of his famous pieces and including an old classic car embellished to look like a submarine. I found his message so intriguing. He is also known for the Heart with Wings and other cars that symbolize a way of escape from oppression.

Sequra also has a series that depicted the communist oppression of religion. My favorite was a replicated sculpture of Cuba's eternal flame in honor of Castro's revolution. It is a large star with a flame but rather than simply a flame it included a bust of Jesus in the center. Communism is against the practice of any religion. In 1992 Castro changed his stance on religious practices and even let Catholics join the party. He viewed the country as secular rather than atheist at that time. Ironically with the rise in Antisemitism, the Jewish people we met suggested it does not exist in Cuba but then again it might simply be there is only a little over four hundred in a population of eight million.

While this trip was being planned there was an extreme power shortage. I say extreme because it is typical for homes not to have power. We were staying in the tourist area so many of the hotels had power and were equipped with generators. The Synagogue Bet Shalom where we attended services on Friday started out services without lights.

When we arrived at the Shul, we were not the only visiting group. There was another group from New Jersey that joined in with the congregation. The Rabbi had planned for a group of young adults to lead the service. The incoming President spoke of the message to all that we can unite and conduct services without electricity as a message to all Jews.

As the youth leaders proceeded with prayers, all of them women were invited to light Shabbat candles. Picture the light of over fifty plus candles illuminating the sanctuary. It was so moving and inspiring. Halfway through the service the lights finally came on. While we felt a bit safer, we all felt a bit of disappointment for we had just come together as Jews celebrating as many throughout the globe have with much less in unity no matter what the challenge was.

As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our city a better place on my Phone/Text at: 954-632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org. Please visit me on my Facebook page at Mayor Joy Cooper. Like, follow, and share.