Because of You, I’m Carrying Cuba Home With Me
“I’m a young adult in the Atlanta Jewish community, a proud member of The Temple, and a participant in the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s Jacobson Leadership Institute. This past June, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Cuba on a Federation YLD (Young Leadership Division) mission—a journey that opened my heart and reshaped my understanding of what it means to belong to a global Jewish family.
What struck me most was witnessing how Cuba’s Jewish community continues to thrive despite having so few resources. There’s no rabbi. There’s limited access to Jewish education or ritual items. And yet, week after week, they come together. They celebrate Shabbat. They keep Jewish life vibrant. They show up for one another. That sense of commitment—to tradition, to community, to joy—was both humbling and deeply inspiring.
Back home, I’ve mostly experienced Jewish life within the context of Atlanta. I’ve always felt connected, but this trip expanded my view. I saw firsthand that being Jewish means being part of something much larger than any one city or country. Despite the cultural differences, we share so many of the same values, songs, and stories. It reminded me that we’re all connected—that we’re part of one people, even across borders and oceans.
What I’m bringing home with me is that profound sense of connection. I want to share with my Atlanta Jewish community the beauty, resilience, and warmth of the Cuban Jews I met—how they embody the spirit of Jewish life even in the face of challenge. Their numbers may be small, but their presence is powerful.
I’m incredibly grateful to Federation for making opportunities like this possible—for investing in the next generation of Jewish leaders, and for helping us see firsthand the global impact of our community’s support. Through missions like this and programs like the Jacobson Leadership Institute, Federation doesn’t just build leaders—it builds bridges. Between people. Between places. Between hearts.
This wasn’t just a trip—it was a transformation. And I’m coming home more inspired, more connected, and more committed to shaping a vibrant Jewish future for Atlanta and beyond.” Written by Kiki, Age 33
Thank you for making this experience possible!