What can we learn from Jewish communities worldwide? In March, Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte (JFGC) led an impactful mission trip with 18 community members to Mexico City, offering a firsthand look at a deeply engaged Jewish community. This was an eye-opening experience—not just in seeing Judaism thriving outside of the U.S., but in learning how another community—one not much larger than ours—has built deep engagement, strong institutions, and an unwavering commitment to Jewish life. During the trip, participants learned about the Jewish history of Mexico, the current Jewish community, and brought back valuable ideas and experiences that are sure to improve our Jewish community in Charlotte.

A Brief history of the Mexican Jewish Community

The Jewish community in Mexico has a deep and complex history that dates back to the colonial era. The first Jews to arrive were the Conversos (Crypto-Jews), Spanish and Portuguese Jews who had been forced to convert to Christianity during the Spanish Inquisition, yet continued practicing Judaism in secret. Seeking refuge, many settled in New Spain (now modern Mexico), however the Mexican Inquisition brought persecution, trials, and executions of those suspected of being Jewish. After Mexico gained independence in 1821, religious tolerance slowly increased, allowing for the arrival of openly Jewish immigrants, particularly Sephardic Jews from the Ottoman Empire (Turkey, Syria, and Greece) in the 19th century. The most significant wave of Jewish immigration occurred in the early 20th century, with Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe (Russia, Poland, and Lithuania) and Sephardic Jews from Syria and Turkey escaping persecution and economic hardship. These immigrants established vibrant communities, building synagogues, schools, and cultural institutions, particularly in Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. Today, the Mexican Jewish population is estimated to be between 50,000 and 60,000, primarily based in Mexico City. The Jewish population in Mexico City is around 40,000 which is only slightly larger than our own community in greater Charlotte.

Our Experience with the Jewish Community of Mexico City

Visiting Mexico City on a Jewish mission provides a unique opportunity to experience a thriving, diverse, and well-established Jewish community, highlighted by strong institutions and vibrant Jewish life. We visited one of the most impressive educational institutions the Olami ORT School, which stands as a testament to the community’s dedication to Jewish education. Founded in 1963 as part of the global ORT network, the school provides a cutting-edge, Jewish-focused curriculum that integrates STEM education, Jewish studies, and Hebrew language learning. The facilities are state-of-the-art, offering advanced technology labs, modern classrooms, and a strong emphasis on leadership and innovation, ensuring that students receive an education that is both deeply rooted in Jewish values and globally competitive.

Equally remarkable is the Centro Deportivo Israelita (CDI), a massive Jewish community center with over 18,000 members, making it one of the most significant Jewish centers in Latin America. More than just a sports club, CDI is a cultural and social hub, offering everything from Olympic-sized swimming pools, soccer fields, and basketball courts to Jewish cultural programs, Hebrew classes, theater productions, and Holocaust remembrance initiatives. It’s a place where Jewish identity is celebrated through arts, sports, and community engagement, providing a dynamic space for all generations to connect. Walking through these institutions, one can’t help but be inspired by the Mexican Jewish community’s dedication to preserving its heritage while embracing modernity, making it one of the most impressive and well-organized Jewish communities outside of Israel.

On Friday night, we attended Shabbat services at Bet El Synagogue in Mexico City. From the moment we stepped inside, we felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity and connection. The melodies of Lecha Dodi and the Amidah were the same ones we sing back home, and the warmth of the congregation made us feel as if we were among old friends rather than in a city thousands of miles away. As we prayed together, the universal bond of Jewish tradition became powerfully evident—no matter where we are in the world, Shabbat brings us together in the same language of faith and community. After services, we had the privilege of sharing Shabbat dinner with the leaders of the synagogue, engaging in deep conversations about our lives, values, and experiences as Jews in different parts of the world. We spoke about the joys of Jewish family life, raising children with a strong sense of identity, and the challenges of maintaining tradition in modern society—all struggles and triumphs that felt incredibly familiar despite our different backgrounds. Over plates of challah, wine, and delicious homemade dishes, we laughed, shared stories, and marveled at how, regardless of geography, our Jewish identity unites us in a way that transcends borders. That night, in the heart of Mexico City, we didn’t just feel like visitors—we felt like family.

Unique Aspects of the Mexican Jewish Community

One of the most striking aspects of the Mexican Jewish community is how incredibly close-knit and interconnected it is. Unlike what we often see in the United States, where Jewish families are spread out across different neighborhoods and attend a mix of public and private schools, the Jewish community in Mexico City is deeply rooted in shared spaces and experiences. Most Jewish families live in the same neighborhoods, send their children to the same Jewish day schools, and participate in the same social circles. It was fascinating to learn that it is completely normal for Jewish children to live at home well into their twenties or even thirties, only moving out once they are married. Many of the people we met had adult children still living with them, something that is far less common in American Jewish communities. Jewish children in Mexico often grow up in an entirely Jewish environment, with their social circles consisting exclusively of Jewish friends until they reach college.

This deep sense of community extends beyond family life—there is an incredible commitment to taking care of every Jewish member, ensuring that no one is left behind. A well-established scholarship system ensures that every Jewish child, regardless of financial circumstances, has access to high-quality education, with no child turned away from a Jewish school due to cost. This dedication to communal responsibility was evident when we visited the Katz Jesed Center in Mexico City, a remarkable institution that provides social services, financial aid, medical assistance, job training, and emotional support to Jewish families in need. The center offers food assistance, subsidized medical care, psychological counseling, and employment services, ensuring that every member of the community—no matter their circumstances—is cared for with dignity and support. Seeing how the community prioritizes education, welfare, and mutual aid was truly inspiring and highlighted the strength and unity of Jewish life in Mexico.

Beyond their strong local bonds, the Mexican Jewish community also maintains a deep and unwavering connection to Israel. This relationship is actively nurtured from childhood, with an astounding 80% of Jewish high school graduates spending a gap year in Israel before starting college. The community also actively hires Israeli educators, youth leaders, and cultural ambassadors to strengthen the ties between Mexican and Israeli Jews. These Israeli staff members help run Jewish programming, Hebrew language courses, and cultural events, ensuring that young Mexican Jews grow up with a strong familiarity with Israeli culture, history, and national identity. Walking through Mexico City’s Jewish schools and community centers, we saw murals of Jerusalem, Israeli flags alongside Mexican flags, and children speaking Hebrew fluently, all of which reinforced the idea that Israel is not just a distant homeland, but a central part of Jewish identity in Mexico. The community’s deep love for Israel and commitment to strengthening ties between the two nations was truly inspiring and showed how Jewish life in Mexico is both locally rooted and globally connected.

Takeaways and Ideas

Our mission trip to Mexico City was an incredible and transformative experience for all participants, offering us the unique opportunity to immerse ourselves in a different but thriving Jewish community. Unlike many mission trips that focus on struggling or emerging communities, this was a rare chance to engage with a strong, well-organized, and deeply connected Jewish population from whom we had so much to learn. Throughout our visit, we were inspired by the deep integration of Israeli culture within their community and the remarkable ways they support every Jewish member with dignity and care. Many of us left with new ideas and initiatives we hope to bring back to strengthen our own Jewish community, particularly in the areas of Jewish education, social support, and fostering a greater connection to Israel.

As the trip came to a close, we had powerful and heartfelt discussions about its impact. Some participants shared how energized and motivated they felt to take a more active role in shaping the future of our Jewish community. Those raised in Charlotte’s Jewish community reflected on how they had benefited from the hard work of previous generations and now felt it was their turn to give back and ensure a strong Jewish future for their children.

One key takeaway from our experience was the limited acceptance of non-Jews and converts within the Mexican Jewish community. Unlike our own community, which prides itself on inclusivity and welcoming all who seek to live a Jewish life, conversion is not often acceptable in Mexico’s Jewish circles, and interfaith relationships are discouraged. This led to deep conversations about our own community’s openness—how we take pride in embracing and celebrating those who choose Judaism and recognizing the dedication it takes to join the Jewish people. Many of us reflected on the importance of maintaining a welcoming environment where all who commit to Jewish values and traditions feel at home. Others were struck by how insular the Mexican Jewish community could be, reinforcing both an appreciation for how we engage with the broader society and the importance of building connections beyond the Jewish world.

Beyond personal reflections, this shared experience strengthened bonds between old friends in ways that would have been impossible in day-to-day life. Many participants commented on how meaningful it was to form deep new friendships even after having been part of the community for years. There was a strong sense of camaraderie and appreciation for everyone who participated, and we were all incredibly grateful for the leaders and Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte who dedicated their time and energy to making this mission possible.

Overall, this trip was deeply inspirational and motivating, leaving us with a renewed sense of purpose, strengthened friendships, and a profound appreciation for the beauty and resilience of Jewish life around the world.

Photo Caption: Members of the mission trip inside the Sierra Justo synagogue in Mexico City