Jewish History in Mexico [] Rotary Club Presentation

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TouTube Link: https://youtu.be/w6CXEmbTvJo

by Dan Lessner and Chris McCaskill

Take whirlwind tour of 500 years of a Jewish presence in Mexico, from the Conquista to modern times. Dan Lessner, Lay Religious Leader of Kehilla Shalom San Miguel de Allende and founding member of the Comunidad Hebrea En San Miguel de Allende (CHESMA, AC) was our guide. It was a brisk ride—from the Spanish Inquisition and autos de fe in the Alameda Park to the “guilded ghettos” of Polanco and Tecamachalco in CDMX—but a fascinating visit nonetheless to learn a bit about the tiny, but quite influential, Mexican Jewish communities.

Dan Lessner is a modest man and the biography I offer comes exclusively from outside sources—not by him- so I must own any errors. But his story is too intriguing to bypass.  About 15 years ago, Dan Lessner moved to San Miguel from Sag Harbor, New York, where he practiced as a medical doctor. The community initially met at a hotel, but today, San Miguel houses a diverse structure comprised of Canadians, Americans and Mexicans. Together, they practice a variety of customs and rituals in a comfortable, inviting setting.  The group also has sponsored educational programs to be enjoyed by the general public.

Lessner, in the short time allowed to him during his presentation, shared a fascinating background of how the Mexican government found ways to cooperate for their mutual benefit with the Jewish people who were subject to mistreatment in other countries around the world.

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