What is a Chabad house doing in a city like Cartagena? Right here in front of us stands Beit habad. It’s a beacon of Jewish life in this vibrant Colombian city. Beit habad Cartagena might seem unexpected. But the Jewish connection to Cartagena runs deep. It goes all the way back to the late 15th and early 16th centuries. During that time Cartagena was a bustling hub for Jewish merchants and settlers. Among them were Portuguese Conversos and Sephardic Jews. They came from places like Amsterdam, Morocco and the Ottoman Empire. This vibrant community thrived until the Spanish Inquisition arrived in 1610. With the establishment of the Inquisition, Jewish life in Cartagena was forced into hiding.
However, the Jewish spirit never truly faded. Today, Beit habad Cartagena serves as a testament to the enduring presence of Judaism in this city. It stands as a welcoming space for both locals and visitors. It’s a place where they can connect with their heritage and experience the warmth of Jewish tradition. Led by Rabbi Saadia Globerman and his wife Esti, Beit habad offers a wide range of services and activities. These include Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations and educational programs. They even cater to the influx of Israeli tourists who visit Cartagena. This Chabad house is a reminder that even in unexpected corners of the world, the Jewish community finds a way to flourish. And it beautifully intertwines the history of Jewish Cartagena with its modern revival.