The Jewish Presence in Latin America - Essay Example

Latin America proved to be attractive to the Jewish as they had the guarantee of religious freedom contrary to other areas such as the United States (Elkin and Merkx 168). Despite this assurance, the Jewish still faced the threat of assimilation in Latin America. Anti-Semitism experiences of the Jewish in Argentina, the United States, and Latin America all conform the Jewish way of life was untenable while in the diaspora. Religion was the major factor that determined the way the Jewish regarded the different parts of the world and the places they preferred to migrate to. It was the improved relationship between Chile, Brazil, and Argentina that reduces the national armies' competiveness and growth presages on the security agreements on religion after the introduction of Democracy in Latin America that gave room for the Jewish to transverse such nations.

The political events in the countries in Latin America left a great mark on the communities made up of the Jewish (Elkin and Merkx 157). The democratic regimes led to the Jewish communities to open up thus giving room for reconsideration of the position taken by Israel and Zionism in the life of the Jewish. Chapter 7 The Jewish presence in Latin America left a great mark and following this, the Jewish power has been regarded to be highly organized. The impact was influenced by the social services offered by Jewish immigrants.

Despite their contributions, most of their welfare needs were not met. These situations forced the immigrants to come up with communal organizations similar to those earlier practiced in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East (Elkin and Merkx 189). The needs and situations faced by the Jewish immigrants changed their priorities from religious congregations. Some of the issues that the Jewish gave priority included; having a legal permit to establish a Jewish Cemetery, charity organization, the desire to be informed and publish their opinions thus the establishment of the vigorous press, the urge to continue practicing religion, especially at the time both antireligious and religious factions were facing many turmoils; the Jewish had to remain apathetic towards the catholic influence, education after the realization that the society in Latin America lacked effective acculturating institutions, The Kehillah which had put together all the activities and institutions including sports clubs, libraries, synagogues, social service agencies and schools in Jewish communities in Latin America and sports which was chosen as a means of attaining salvation(Elkin and Merkx 278).