Adventure, Danger, and Jewish History: Rabbi Yosef Garmon Unveils the Unseen Parts of His Global Journey

A cool winter morning dawns in Guatemala as Rabbi Yosef Garmon, the Chief Rabbi of the country, navigates the winding alleys of Antigua. According to the details he received, an ancient central church at the end of the Christian quarter on Oriente Street contains notable Jewish symbols – the menorah and other elements from the Tabernacle.

Rabbi Garmon moves briskly through the maze-like streets. After crossing the main roads and passing the colorful houses, he finally stands before the old church. He spends several moments there when two priests in black robes approach. Suddenly, they stop at the entrance, raise their arms, and kiss the top of the right-hand doorpost, where Rabbi Garmon spots a mezuzah hidden among the sculpted stones.

Encouraged, he edges closer. Hearing the priests murmur, he is stunned to catch them quoting the verse: 'Utterly detest it and utterly abhor it, for it is an object of scorn.'

Rabbi Yosef Garmon

The Mystery of a Guatemalan Church

The intriguing tale of the Guatemalan church is but one piece of the adventurous life of Rabbi Yosef Garmon, who, as he says, splits his time between Israel and flights across the globe. Only 37, he has served as Chief Rabbi of Guatemala, visited 142 countries, and amassed over a million social media followers captivated by his lectures on Jewish history and the Torah.

So, what’s the story behind the strange church?

'Back in the 16th century, during the Inquisition, many Jews fled Spain for Guatemala,' he begins. 'Despite fleeing, they continued to hide their religion in fear of the Inquisition’s pursuit. They mingled with local Christians, likely establishing this church to blend in with the locals. They whispered the verse “Utterly detest it and utterly abhor it” upon entering, to remember it was a place Judaism loathes as impure.'

Let’s rewind – how did you end up in Guatemala in the first place?

'Truth be told, my journey didn’t start in Guatemala at all,' he recounts. 'Initially, I traveled to European nations, with Mexico being the first Latin country I visited. After some work there, I moved to Colombia for two years, before connecting with the Jewish community in nearby Guatemala.'

The Jewish community in Guatemala is among the smallest in Latin America, numbering less than a thousand. They center around the Sephardic synagogue 'Magen David' in Guatemala City, and Rabbi Garmon quickly became a key figure. He cultivated a close relationship with former President Jimmy Morales, studying with him in *chevruta*. Even with President Alejandro Giammattei, who left office around 18 months ago, he maintains strong ties. These connections helped secure the decision to move Guatemala’s embassy to Jerusalem.

Though not classified as antisemitic, Guatemala faces street crime and violence. 'One Shabbat night, as I made my way alone to the synagogue, I sensed someone following me,' he shares. 'My instincts were right, and in a dark alley, a group of muggers accosted me. Luckily for me, they caught me on Shabbat with empty pockets. Playing the victim, I claimed, “They just robbed me before you did. It’s not fair all the muggers target me. Try elsewhere.” To my surprise, my act worked. They offered some comfort and then fled.'

Did you often venture outside alone?

'Typically, I had community security accompanying me. That Shabbat, I was scheduled to be in Honduras after meetings with their president. But, unable to find a minyan, I returned to Guatemala at the last minute, so the community couldn’t arrange protection in time.'

With religious leaders worldwide

Inside the 'Lev Tahor' Sect

In Guatemala, Rabbi Garmon encountered the 'Lev Tahor' sect based in a closed compound near Guatemala City. He met with its founder and former leader, Shlomo Helbrans. 'I had an intense conversation with him,' he reveals. 'He was articulate and well-informed about global events. Seeing this, I couldn’t help but blurt out, **How can you be so extreme?**'

'Helbrans argued back, claiming, **I’m not extreme at all.** I pointed out the obvious extremism around his compound, and he had nothing to say, until he added, **Noah built an ark, and everyone deemed him extreme, yet he saved his family from the flood. The world faces a spiritual flood, and I build an ark to save it.** Ironically, two weeks after this exchange, Helbrans drowned in an actual flood, swept away while immersing in a Mexican river.'

Despite attempts to dismantle it, the 'Lev Tahor' sect exists. Nachman Helbrans, the founder’s son, took charge, though currently incarcerated in the US after his arrest in Mexico seven years ago. He continues to lead from behind bars via phone. 'I did all I could to assist the children of the sect, ensuring access to food, water, and emotional recovery,' asserts Rabbi Garmon. 'These kids face profound trauma. It’s indeed a tragic saga needing closure.'

With El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele: 'A friend of ours despite his Palestinian roots'

In a Hut with Cannibals

Rabbi Garmon’s efforts in Guatemala include establishing the first ZAKA branch in Latin America. After the 2018 Fuego volcano eruption, ZAKA medics in Guatemala were among the first on the scene, offering medical aid and rescuing locals. He initiated the 'New Jerusalem' village, now home to a thousand families displaced by the eruption, where construction is underway for *Beit Sefer Israel* – a school for children.

Continuing humanitarian missions, Rabbi Garmon founded the Humanitarian Coalition. Through it, thousands of global volunteers conduct initiatives like setting up free residential neighborhoods in El Salvador and distributing medicine to the ill. Despite President Nayib Bukele’s Palestinian origins, he remains supportive. 'He expressed gratitude, amazed they now lacked no medicines thanks to us. In Africa, we’ve fought malnutrition by handing food to the needy, particularly children fraught with dietary deficiencies.'

With children in Uganda

What drives you to do all this?

'Look at Jewish history, and you find the Book of Genesis is the manual for humanitarian efforts. Our work derives from the values in the Torah, one of which is caring for the world, not just the Jewish people. Judaism encourages addressing global suffering, hence my mission to aid even cannibal tribes in Papua New Guinea.'

What’s it like facing cannibals?

'Utterly terrifying,' he recalls of his Papua New Guinea ordeal. 'I visited an ancient tribe's remote village, exploring their huts. Entering one, the owner approached and remarked, **My father was a cannibal. Had he been here, he’d have eaten you.** Silence filled the space until he added, **Just so you know, he’s coming to visit soon.**'

How did you handle those moments to stay calm?

'Words can’t describe standing there, surrounded by tribespeople crowding around me as if closing in, watching his eyes for signals. I hoped he jested, but his tone was serious. Moments later, his father arrived. As we exchanged pleasantries, he asked my origins. Softly, I replied, **I’m from Israel.** Suddenly, his expression shifted, overwhelmed with excitement. He admitted, **We only consumed our enemies, but Israel was never counted among them.**'

Not many assume a cannibal respects one’s heritage.

'Right?' he laughs. 'Who knows, maybe he was thrilled, thinking it was his chance for kosher Jewish fare.'

It’s Not a Dream

Rabbi Garmon has faced many surreal experiences across his expeditions. In undisclosed Muslim nations, he engaged with imams in hostile mosques. In Africa, he joined bizarre rituals, and in Somalia, he narrowly escaped death by torture. 'They suspected I was a spy, nearly sentencing me to hanging.'

In Papua New Guinea, Rabbi Garmon aimed to provide for impoverished tribes. He toured remote regions for days, planning to spend Shabbat in nearby Australia. 'On Thursday, after wrapping up in a distant village, my guide and I mounted horses toward the shore. Awaiting us was a boat meant to carry us to Port Moresby, the capital.'

Unbelievable adventures one after another...

'It could have been a real adventure, but the boat was shaky, and progress slow,' he shares. 'Just when I thought the adventures ended, at the airport I encountered chaos: the pilot was a no-show, unreachable. We scoured markets and streets, yet he was gone. They advised us to return on Friday, hoping he'd show.'

Did you have a backup Shabbat plan if there was no flight?

'Clueless on a plan, yet that’s exactly what unfolded. The pilot appeared late, making an Australian Shabbat impossible. We spent Shabbat stranded in a shabby, unkempt hotel arranged by the airline. My guide and I fumed over our predicament, but managed to scrape together basics for a street-side Kabbalat Shabbat. Mid **L'cha Dodi**, a local stops, blessing us with **Shabbat Shalom.** An astonishing moment, really.'

'Recovering from shock, I asked, **How do you even know what Shabbat Shalom means?** Instead of answering, he beckoned us to follow. He led us to a lower street, and what appeared was unreal: hundreds of locals, dressed festively, chanting **Shabbat Shalom** in Hebrew.'

Rabbi Garmon explains these are members of an African-descended tribe identifying as Jewish. 'This local mentioned they gather each Friday from nearby villages, sharing Shabbat blessings, meals, and songs, only dispersing post-Havdalah at the sight of five stars in the sky.'

Were you welcomed with excitement?

'Their excitement was palpable. They wouldn’t stop singing and celebrating, staying up with us almost all night. Come dawn, their elderly leader took me aside, pointing to a far-off mountain, and passionately declared, **We call that Mount Sinai.**'