The first Jewish settlers arrived to Costa Rica shortly after Christopher Columbus (1502), there was also a number of members of this community that arrived at the end of the XIX century. The Jewsish settlers from Poland and some from Central Europe arrived during the first decades of the XX century. Today, the estimated Jewish population is of approximately 5,000 the majority live in Escazu, San Jose and Cartago.

The Israelite Zionist Center of Costa Rica is the main institution in the country, and it seeks to maintain and “promote their religious life, mutual aid, welfare, formal and non formal Jewish education and care of the elderly” , it is also responsible for managing the Orthodox synagogue and Orthodox cemetery.

Hanukkah or Januka or Festival of Light is one of the celebrations of the Jewish community, the eight-day festival is observed by the Costa Rica Jewish community through the nightly menorah lighting, prayers and traditional dishes. Hanukkah begins at sundown on December 12 and will carry on through December 20.

Every year in Costa Rica the Jewish families gather together to celebrate Januca, and in order to share their tradition with the “Tico” families they hold a couple of activities that are open to the public, one of them is the Great Januca Festival at Avenida Escazu, this year it will take place on Sunday, December 17, the fifth day of Hanukka and it will include a BMX show, the lightning of the menorah , music, activities for children, photo book and traditional Jewish dishes like latkes (potato pancakes)and sufganiyots (a jelly doughnut); the festival is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m.

The second activity will be taking place in the country for the first time, the Car Menorah Parade. This will take place on Saturday, December 16 at 7:30 p.m. in front of the Walmart and Escazu Village. For those Jewish residents who would like to take part in this event, all they have to do is call 4010-1515.

 

Happy Hanukkah Costa Rica