The Jewish community in Costa Rica boasts a rich and storied history that remains vibrant nowadays. Of the approximately 5,000 Jews in the Central American nation, the majority are concentrated in and around the capital city of San Jose. The community thrives as part of Costa Rica’s welcoming and inclusive culture.
Jewish presence in Costa Rica dates back to two primary migration waves. The first wave comprised conversos (Jews forced to convert to Christianity during the Spanish Inquisition), who fled Spain and Portugal and were among the early settlers in Latin America.
The second wave arrived from Eastern Europe in the 20th century, primarily from Poland. These later arrivals were colloquially referred to as "the Poles." Nowadays, the community is predominantly Ashkenazi Jewish.
Jews in Costa Rica are active across all spheres of society, including politics. Since the appointment of a Jewish health minister in the 1970s, many Jewish individuals have held prominent positions in government, congress and other key sectors.
Orthodox Judaism is the dominant denomination within the community, with San Jose hosting an Orthodox synagogue, a Reform synagogue, a synagogue of the Bnei Israel community, and a Chabad House. Daily prayers are conducted at these synagogues, and the city also boasts three mikvehs—for women and men—and the ritual immersion of utensils.
Costa Rica’s first formal Zionist and Jewish organization was established in 1932. By 1937, it had merged with the Costa Rican Jewish Zionist Center, becoming the main representative body of the Jewish community. Nowadays, this center oversees religious activities, mutual aid programs, charity, Jewish education, elderly care, and more.
The center also maintains a library and collaborates with organizations such as WIZO, B’nai B’rith, the Zionist Youth Movement, the Jewish National Fund, Keren Hayesod, Yad Vashem and the Costa Rica-Israel Forum, which combats antisemitism and promotes Israeli advocacy.
Jewish education is central to the community. The Dr. Chaim Weizmann School, named after Israel’s first president, was founded in 1954 and provides education from kindergarten through high school. While the curriculum aligns with Costa Rica’s Ministry of Education standards, it emphasizes Jewish history and Hebrew. Admission to the school requires adherence to Halacha, meaning a child’s mother must be Jewish.
Hebrew signs and Israeli food
Costa Rica’s streets are dotted with signs of Jewish life. From kosher hummus and falafel eateries to Chabad Houses, the Jewish presence is palpable.
In Manuel Antonio, we discovered "Falafel Bar," owned by Michal Brami, an Israeli who has lived there with her family for over 20 years. Her restaurant attracts tourists of all backgrounds, and its reputation for delicious food often prompts visitors to return before moving on to their next destination.
In Uvita, we enjoyed hummus and falafel at a spot run by Roy Siso, an Israeli who settled there 18 years ago. Meanwhile, in Jacó, we dined at "Sabres," a kosher restaurant operated by Israeli couple Izo (Itzhak) and Toni Ashkenazi. The two met serendipitously in Costa Rica over two decades ago, fell in love, and built a life together.
Hebrew signs are prominently displayed across the country, offering a warm reminder of home. For a deeper sense of belonging, Chabad Houses in various locations provide a haven for Jewish travelers. These centers offer a traditional Jewish atmosphere through prayers, Shabbat meals, and holiday celebrations.
Our first Friday night in Costa Rica was spent at the Jacó Chabad House, hosted by Rabbi Shia Lipkin and his wife, Adina, who has managed the center for the past two years. Rabbi Lipkin also supervises kashrut at Sabres and assists travelers in need. During dinner, an American guest, Daniel, shared his moving story of how Rabbi Lipkin organized a Bar Mitzvah celebration for him at age 45, attended by the entire local community.
On another Shabbat, we joined Rabbi Zvi Yosef Spalter at the San José Chabad House, which he has led for over 35 years. We met an Israeli family visiting from the Golan Heights, seeking a brief respite from the tensions in Israel. The meal felt like a gathering of old friends, filled with shared stories and laughter.
Rabbi Spalter also gave us a tour of the Chabad Center, which includes a kosher bakery, a kosher store, an event hall, and catering services. Before the pandemic, the building housed a Jewish school, which is set to reopen soon. Currently, there’s a small kindergarten with 16 children, allowing for personalized attention.
The center's kosher meat is sourced locally, with shchita (ritual slaughter according to Jewish law) performed by certified butchers from the U.S., under Rabbi Spalter’s supervision.
The synagogue at the center holds daily minyanim, and one unique feature is a board displaying the current page number during prayers, ensuring everyone can follow along without interruption.
Before saying goodbye, I asked Rabbi Spalter about Costa Rica’s relationship with Israel, particularly in light of recent events. He expressed deep gratitude for the country’s longstanding support of Israel, highlighting its natural beauty and resilience as blessings for its kindness toward the Jewish state.
As we departed, Rabbi Spalter warmly invited us to return for Shabbat lunch. The experience, from the spirited prayers to the elegantly set tables, reaffirmed the sense of community that Chabad fosters worldwide.
During his d'var Torah, the rabbi emphasized the importance of unity and spreading Judaism. He invited me to share a few words and I recounted a story that encapsulates the enduring bond of Jewish identity:
A young man driving on a Friday evening suffered a flat tire. Stranded on the roadside, he struggled to find help. Frustrated, he remembered a kippah his grandmother had given him, stashed in the glove compartment. He placed it on his head, hoping for luck.
Soon after, an Israeli driver passed by, spotted the kippah, and debated stopping. He was running late for Shabbat dinner but felt compelled to assist a fellow Jew. Pulling over, he swiftly changed the tire and wished the man "Shabbat Shalom."
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Puzzled, the young man asked what he meant. The Israeli repeated the greeting, and upon noticing his confusion, clarified in English. "You’re wearing a kippah," he said, "and you don’t know what ‘Shabbat Shalom’ means?"
The young man sheepishly replied, "Oh, this? My grandmother gave it to me."
This story reminds me that Jewish identity transcends boundaries and serves as a beacon of connection, no matter where we are in the world.
Ayelet Mamo Shai is a businesswoman, author, international speaker and researcher of small Jewish communities around the world.