Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation
Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation
“A Gift to Snowbirds Like Me: Five long, hard days of driving to finally arrive in Ajijic. Then, walking into a Shabbat Service was my family reunion. It was as if I never left. Hugging, kissing, shaking hands; immediately I was home. To be together with likeminded people and share our spiritual needs and pleasures is a gift beyond compare. To know that I can be uplifted, learn, celebrate, mourn, help and touch the Torah is well worth the membership fees. In fact, it is my pleasure to pay so little for so much.”
Maureen Sullivan
“I’m a member of the LCJC because, before he died in October 2017, my husband Mitchell urged me to stay a member to model by example the unity that could exist between the LCJC and Chavurah Chapala.”
Emily Raskin Perey
“I am as deep as a toddler’s pool. In other words, I don’t really have good thoughtful awe-inspiring words to give you. I join a synagogue for the sociability and feeling of community. If I get a few rich thoughts from time to time, I consider it my mental health. (I think that reform Judaism is big into psychology) I also like the feeling of continuity of being Jewish. My great grandfather, down to my grandparents, down to etc. And now I am seeing it (finally!) emanating down to .my children and grandchildren (only 2 out of 10 are Jewish). I don’t know why it is so meaningful to me, but it is.
PS I will say that being a member of the synagogue has given me many friends. Other people are amazed at how many people I know or how many friends I have. For much of this I credit the synagogue.”
Carol Benson
“When Tiena and I arrived 8+ years ago as a new permanent resident, we only knew a limited number of people. The synagogue reached out and everyone was so warm and inviting. It felt more like family than family did. Activities were well attended and everyone was having fun. It was a pleasant experience and we felt at home and welcomed”.
Joe Gottesman
“Most of my adult life I have been a member of a synagogue. In every generation, some Jews have supported synagogues, even in times of hatred and discrimination. I want to be counted as one of those Jews.”
Mel Goldberg
“I joined the shul because I believe I have a responsibility to support Judaism in our community. I want access to a shul and spiritual leader whenever I might have need of them. I want the same for all the Jews in our community. Without financial support and the volunteering of our time, neither the shul nor the support would exist”.
Robin Hayden
“Judaism was the last thing on my mind when I moved to Mexico ten years ago. Then, I saw a notice in the Guad Reporter talking about a synagogue located in lakeside. I was so shocked that our tiny village had a temple! I went to a membership meeting and joined that day.
I don’t know what I was seeking, but I received a profound new way of life. Although a “lapsed” practicing Jew, every part of my identity is formed around being Jewish. I found here a way to participate in Judaism, not simply to be Jewish. I love services, especially the singing, the rituals, the discussions making Torah relevant today, and the exposure to Judaism in all its myriad practices. The synagogue has been my path to participating in the Jewish Community as a whole. I have a rekindled interest in understanding what it means to be Jewish- not just our history, but how I choose to incorporate Judaism into my daily life. I don’t keep Kosher, I don’t play Mah Jong, and I don’t understand much Yiddish, but I occasionally light the candles in my home on Shabbat. I recite the ancient blessings and am flooded with childhood memories of my mother doing the same. I feel like I honor not just my parents, but the countless generations who died for the simple desire to practice their faith in their own homes and shuls.
I may not be the most devout or informed Jew, but I can perpetuate the existence of Judaism lakeside by being a member of LCJC. With the rise of anti-Semitism world-wide, I feel a deepening responsibility to make sure that our synagogue exists and thrives. I often feel that Jewish apathy is the worst form of anti-Semitism and the greatest threat facing our religion. It is a precious and rare opportunity to be in a welcoming country, where we can have a synagogue without persecution. As a Jew, I have an obligation to make sure the practice of Judaism survives. If I don’t support LCJC, how will it?”
Ellen B. Siegel
“When we decided to buy a home in Ajijic eight years ago, it never occurred to us to first think about the Jewish community here. Our family has always belonged to a conservative synagogue; our 3 daughters were Bat Mitzvahed, attended Jewish summer camps and we have traveled to Israel many, many times. So, when our non-Jewish next door neighbor here told us about the synagogue, we were intrigued. We attended Shabbat services and were very pleasantly surprised. It was inviting, welcoming and familiar. We are so happy to be part of the Jewish community here and to be able to celebrate the Jewish holidays with so many friends. I come from a very traditional Jewish background and certain holidays, especially Passover, are very important to me. So, to be able to observe and celebrate Passover with over 70 other Jews is both amazing and so gratifying to us. The strength and existence of any synagogue and Jewish community is up to our people. We both feel it is vitally important, especially in these trying times of increased anti-Semitism around the world, that we continue to support our synagogue, continue to be involved in our Jewish community, to celebrate holidays and festivals together and to be able to share our beliefs and faith as one community.”
Greg and Maureen Davis
“I think I have to answer the question by asking the question why did I move to Ajijic? The answer to that question is because of the synagogue. My husband and I were looking for a place to” hang our pictures” after doing full time traveling for a couple years. We did some google research after going to San Miguel de Allende and found that this little village in the mountains of central Mexico also had a Jewish presence. So we came to check it out and went to a Friday night dinner at Roberto’s two summers ago. Not only did we join the synagogue… But we also bought a house on that same visit!
The synagogue community makes this lovely, sweet village my home.
And I’m so excited about the enthusiasm and all the new and improved things that are already happening!”
Debi Buckland
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“Thank you both for stirring my memories. I have had fun looking back as well as shedding tears for special people we have lost. My favorite memory is that of our first seder. The excitement was palpable. I had brought 50 Maxwell house Haggadahs with me when I moved down. I also had a number of kippah from my son’s bar mitzvah and menorahs and seder plates. Other people had some of the same so we had all the accoutrements we needed. All the day of the first seder the men were in and out of my house bringing chairs, tables, dishes glasses. and whatever things were needed. Later the women came with food and table cloths. They set the tables and prepared the house for the 35 people who were coming. The joy we shared was overwhelming. It was very special and helped seal the bond of the infant congregation as we worked together to make this happen.
Again, thanks for sending me down memory lane.”
Ann Lewis
