The Genesis Prize Foundation extended its Latin American outreach this month as Co-founder and Chairman Stan Polovets conducted a notable diplomatic visit to Cuba’s capital. Arriving in Havana amid the island’s persistent economic difficulties, Polovets engaged directly with leaders of the small but determined Jewish community that continues to maintain its traditions despite significant challenges.
During his May 2025 visit, Stan Polovets was welcomed at the Beth Shalom Synagogue, locally referred to as El Patronato, which stands as Cuba’s principal Jewish house of worship. He met with Hella Askenazi, Vice President for both the synagogue and the broader Cuban Jewish community, alongside several other community figures involved in educational initiatives, youth programming, and services for elderly members.
The encounter embodied the community’s daily struggles, as discussions proceeded largely in darkness due to one of Cuba’s frequent rolling blackouts. Participants relied on the glow from their cell phones to navigate the meeting—a circumstance that provided Polovets with tangible evidence of Cuban citizens’ infrastructure challenges.
Following the visit, Stan Polovets reflected on what he had witnessed: “The resilience of this small but proud community, numbering less than one thousand people, is deeply inspiring. Despite immense problems caused by economic mismanagement by the Communist government – exacerbated by the U.S. embargo imposed over 60 years ago – the Jewish identity of Cuban Jews shines brightly, and quite literally, in the dark.”
One aspect of Cuban Jewish life particularly caught Polovets’ attention—the absence of security measures that have become standard at Jewish institutions worldwide. “Unlike every other Jewish community I’ve visited worldwide – including in the United States – there are no guards in front of the synagogue,” he observed, highlighting what he described as an environment with “almost no antisemitism in the country” despite numerous other societal challenges.
The timing of Stan Polovets’ Cuban engagement coincides with The Genesis Prize Foundation’s increased focus on Jewish communities throughout Latin America, especially following the selection of Argentinian President Javier Milei as the 2025 Genesis Prize laureate. “President Milei was selected for his unwavering support for the Jewish people and the State of Israel,” Polovets explained, citing specific policy commitments including moving Argentina’s embassy to Jerusalem and pursuing justice for victims of past terrorist attacks targeting Jewish institutions in Argentina.
Polovets specifically commended the Cuban Jewish leadership for demonstrating moral courage in the aftermath of October 7, when they publicly challenged their government’s anti-Israel rhetoric. While many Jewish organizations throughout Latin America remained silent, Cuba’s Jewish community issued a statement declaring that justifying Hamas’ “reprehensible acts of crime and savagery” was “unacceptable”—a bold position given their political environment.
Jewish presence in Cuba dates back centuries, with conversos arriving alongside Spanish explorers in the 16th century. The community flourished during the early to mid-20th century, reaching approximately 15,000 members before the 1959 Revolution prompted massive emigration. Today’s much smaller community depends significantly on international support, particularly from organizations like the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC).
“The Genesis Prize Foundation recognizes the incredible perseverance of Cuban Jewry,” Stan Polovets emphasized. “It is important that private foundations and donors join the JDC in ensuring the survival of this resilient and unique community.”
As a global business leader and philanthropist, Stan Polovets maintains an active commitment to strengthening Jewish identity worldwide while supporting communities facing significant challenges. His engagement in Cuba represents one facet of The Genesis Prize Foundation’s broader mission to highlight diverse Jewish experiences while fostering stronger connections between Latin American nations and Israel, particularly following their recognition of President Milei for his pro-Israel stance.
