When I received the invitation from the Office of the Israeli Consul General to attend a Latin music event, I was intrigued. Sponsored jointly by the Israeli Consulate and Univision Radio, this musical evening featured Israeli DJ Maor Levi and reggaeton performer Jory Boy. To highlight the importance of the evening, the Honorable Israeli Ambassador Ido Aharoni was scheduled to present awards to representatives of Latin TV – indicating that the event was more than “just” a party.
I was intrigued and wanted to learn more about the salsa/hora connection.
Latins and Israeli
During a recent interview with Shimon Mercer-Wood, Spokesperson, Consul for Media Affairs, Consulate General of Israel, I was quickly given a refresher history course reminding me that Israel and the Latin American countries have ties that date back hundreds of years. Currently there are large numbers of Latin Americans living in Israel, Israelis regularly travel to Latin American destinations including Argentina, Brazil, Panama and the Dominican Republic and there is Jewish representation living in Hispanic neighborhoods in New York, especially the Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Travel Together
In January, 2015, the Bronx Borough President, Ruben Diaz Jr. led a delegation of New York’s Latino population to Israel. Historically, the Bronx supported a large Jewish population and in 1948 650,000 Jewish residents lived in the borough although the number has significantly decreased to 53,900 (2011). Currently Diaz and Aharoni are working to strengthen bonds between Jews and Latinos on issues that include economic development, housing and education. To strengthen the link, on a recent visit to New York Israeli President Reuven Rivlin included a visit to the Bronx and was named an honorary Bronxite.
Making “Headway”
Diaz has said that the economic situation in the Bronx is similar to Israel and encouraged adapting the Israeli “Headway” or “Kidum” (advancement or promotion) program that has provided a way for Israeli families to move out of poverty. The program will train Bronx NGOs in this Israeli method and provide staff and digital tools to enhance the learning experience. The program rests on three pillars: family cohesiveness, financial literacy and employment. A major attribute of the program is that it tracks participants and collects data to help determine the success of the endeavor.
Kidum has demonstrated success in Israel. In 2014 of the 320 families enrolled in the project, 40 percent increased their incomes by at least 20 percent, 50 percent of the unemployed became employed, 27 percent reported improved job conditions, and 60+ percent of the families (in the program 6 months or longer), closed the gap between monthly expenses and income by $250+ per month.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
To show support for Hispanic education, the Israeli Consul General Ido Aharoni announced a $100,000 pilot scholarship program at Lehman College aimed at supporting Hispanic college students from the United States interested in studying in Israel. The program is part of a national program to introduce the Israeli higher education system internationally and to highlight Israel as a “Startup Nation,” as the country produces more entrepreneurial projects than Japan, China, India and the UK. Aharoni has stated, “The main idea is to bring Israeli technology to the Bronx community, so that the community can use it.”
Somos el Futuro
To further the link between Israel and the Latino community Ambassador Aharoni participated in the Somos el Futuro Conference – sponsored by what is considered the most important Latino organization in New York State. The Israeli Consulate sponsored the conference breakfast, “Israel y Latinos en la Amistand: A Partnership to Make the World a Better Place” demonstrating the unique and important relationship between the US Latino community and the State of Israel.
Aharoni’s comments reviewed the role of Israel as both a guide and role model for the future of Puerto Rico. Economic models suggested includes Israel Bonds, demonstrating how diaspora communities can help alleviate economic problems in their “home nation.” Another example was Israeli water companies – showing that Israeli companies are ready to assist in PRs infrastructure challenges.
A Bright Forecast
If the past is truly prologue, there is a bright and happy future for expanding and enhancing Jewish/Latino relationships. A 2012 AJC (leading global Jewish advocacy organization) survey of Latinos in the US found that only 18 percent are highly familiar with Jews, while 31 percent are totally unfamiliar with them. However, the survey determined the more frequently the two groups were able to mix/mingle the more positive the relationships. Dina Siegel Vann, director of AJC’s Latino and Latin American Institute found that, “Interpersonal connections are of the essence, particularly since Latino culture stresses trust and loyalty in the creation of substantive, long-term professional and political alliances.”
With projects that range from disco evenings to educational forums, it appears that, at least in New York, the ties that bind are getting stronger each month.
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