Embracing Jewish Life in São Paulo: A Journey of Faith and Community

Meet Rivka

Rivka Tamim, a mother of three, has made her home in São Paulo, Brazil, where she immerses herself in a vibrant Jewish community.

What Does Brazil Mean to You?

"Wow... A uniquely special Jewish community! These are people with warm Jewish hearts, deeply reverent and uniquely generous. Brazil is a land of breathtaking landscapes, waterfalls, natural wonders, unpredictable weather, and a constant fear of kidnappings. This is Brazil."

Brazilian landscape, Foz de Iguaçu

Why Did You Choose to Live Here?

"We arrived in Brazil nine years ago on behalf of 'Ner L'Alaf' under Rabbi Yosef Eliyahu, son of Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu zt"l. This organization trains rabbis to serve communities around the world. When we arrived in São Paulo, we were a young couple with our three-year-old son, and since then, our two daughters have been born here, thank God. Initially, we planned to stay for a year, but we remain here to this day.

"My husband serves as a cantor and rabbi in the community, while I teach Hebrew and work in outreach. The Jewish community in São Paulo is enormous, needing extensive outreach work. Every day, my husband gives lessons tailored to various audiences. On Shabbat, he gives a captivating session on the weekly Torah portion, drawing attendees from different synagogues.

"We also run a program for children on Shabbat; they come to the synagogue for a well-prepared third meal, recite *Tehillim*, and learn *Shir HaShirim*. At the end of Shabbat, we hold a raffle with valuable prizes. We've expanded this to include the girls, with my husband taking the boys and me teaching the girls. We use didactic games to build their Jewish knowledge, leading up to a monthly activity that includes a third meal and a prize draw for books, games, and dolls.

"Each month, I organize activities for the girls related to upcoming holidays. For *Rosh Hashanah*, for example, we gathered to make greeting cards and pack food baskets for needy families. During Shemini Atzeret, we read *Tehillim* and listened to stories of righteous figures. In *Cheshvan*, we held a large challah baking event planned meticulously for weeks: each mother and daughter received sifted flour, ingredients, and cooking utensils, with a special bread chef offering tips on rising and baking successfully. Each received an apron printed with our project logo. Thank God, we have much to accomplish with His help."

Synagogue Sukkah, Hoshanah Rabbah Eve. Rivka explains the holiday to the girls.

What Kind of Educational Institutions Do You Have?

"We have various Jewish educational institutions here, from general to Torah-oriented schools, Chabad, and ultra-Orthodox schools, including a Yiddish-speaking *cheder*. The schools are of very high quality, something I will miss when returning home. My son attends 'Magen Avraham' Torah Academy, and my daughter goes to 'Beit Esther'. Both are excellent schools focusing on Torah, ethics, and general studies. The facilities are modern, with nutritious meals provided and engaging social events and projects.

"Beyond these details, there's a unique gentleness in the Jewish children's demeanor, noticeable in their behavior and manners. There is almost no fighting, let alone physical altercations. Spiritually, there's a 0% dropout rate. I can't explain it scientifically, but the community comprises warm and respectful people who consistently support the children emotionally and educationally. If a child struggles, they're paired with a personal tutor for difficult subjects. Incidentally, when guests strengthening their observance visit and inquire about community schools, my son proudly declares, 'There is no school like mine.' Thank God, he loves his Torah Academy very much.

"In the mornings, children learn religious studies in Hebrew and Portuguese, and in the afternoons, secular subjects in Portuguese. Naturally, my children are fluent in both languages."

What is Your Weekly Routine Like?

"Sunday is a free day: only the boys attend Torah studies to avoid wasting Torah learning. They study until noon, then we enjoy family time at the park. It's a fun family day. From Monday to Thursday, I'm a teacher. We start early, getting everyone ready to leave for school with a quick breakfast - a baguette with tuna and tomato, cheese toast, pizza, bread with za'atar, cereal with chocolate milk, etc. Later, the kids eat at school but don't take food from home.

"At seven-thirty, the driver picks up the kids for school, and I leave for work. I teach Hebrew at 'Yavne', a religious community school. Most families are observant, with separate classes for boys and girls, prayer for boys, modest attire for girls, and, of course, kosher food.

"I return home for a short rest in the afternoon, spending time with Libi, my one-year-old who stays home with a caregiver. December marks the end of the school year here, and soon, Libi will join me in the mornings in the school's daycare.

"I prepare our family dinner, usually a meat meal. At three-thirty, I pick up the kids, who then continue to their activities. I often bring them a small snack, sometimes cut fruit, or cookies/croissants bought after work from a local kosher bakery. It's nice to think of them during work and buy something that will make their long study day better.

Rosh Hashanah Program Evening

"I drop twelve-year-old Dudi at his activities (robotics, chess, soccer, or most crucially, *Gemara* classes – one for each day) and Shira, age six, for her activities (swimming, dance, or a social group). It's essential to engage my son with interests he loves and learns about, preventing complaints like 'I'm bored' and the urge to face the screen.

"The *Gemara* class at the synagogue is fascinating and challenging, taught by one of the scholars. Kids from all over the community come - more observant or less so. I'm glad that my son meets different types of kids, learns that reverence for God isn't measured by the kind of kippah he wears, and that Torah study is accessible to every Jew. I express a lot of confidence in him and emphasize that I trust him in choosing friends. From this age, we instill in him the sense of being a role model for others.

"While the children are at their activities, I run errands like grocery shopping and picking up meat orders from the butcher. After the activities, we return home, the kids do their homework, and they take showers. We set the table for a family dinner, and the kids help make a salad. My cooking is pretty standard, Israeli in flavor and familiar: meatballs, chicken with onions and saffron, sautéed chicken, or schnitzel and pasta. Sometimes we switch it up with a dairy meal like lasagna, French crepes with chocolate, or pizza. Thank God, we have domestic help which is significant. This way, I'm available to the kids and outreach activities during the week. When the kids are home, I'm completely focused on them: storytelling, bath time, everything is calm and relaxed."

Evening before the Rosh Hashanah program

"After dinner, I tell the kids a short story before bedtime. Dudi waits an hour until eight-thirty, when my husband arrives and spends some learning time and talks with him."

How Does Your Shabbat Look?

"On Friday, I don't work outside the home but focus on cooking and baking for Shabbat and our many guests. The helper is in the kitchen with me, cutting and peeling vegetables. After I've scrutinized the leaves because there's no *Chaslat* here, she chops them up. I dress the salads; she's learned to do some of it herself. During Shabbat prep, she washes the dishes, organizes the foods in the fridge, peels fruits for dessert, and stores the homemade ice cream I make, as it's not like in the Land – there's no kosher ice cream to buy here. She also washes the dishes accumulated during cooking and seasoning salads and even during meals after each course.

"For Shabbat, I invest much more in the presentation and meals. The Shabbat table is set with a special cloth, matching napkin sets, a goblet for each diner, and a flower arrangement. Each Shabbat meal features about ten salads, then I serve salmon – using one of my four recipes, rotating weekly to cater to each family member's favorite. After that, two or three main dishes and two or three homemade desserts, varied by the children's preferences.

"On Friday night, the helper cleans the house after the meal, clears the food, and leaves everything tidied up and scrubbed. Typically, she's not present on Shabbat day itself, so the children have a vital role in clearing plates after meals and sweeping the floor. This is actually the only household chore they do all week, and it's essential for them to make an effort, especially for Shabbat."

What's the Weather Like Now?

"The weather here is utterly different from in the Land. Brazil is a tropical country, and rain on a hot day is not unusual. It might be cool in the morning, scorching at noon, followed by rain in the afternoon, then pleasant in the evening. Most of the year, this is the weather cycle, albeit with two to three weeks of colder temperatures, ranging from 55°F (13°C) in the day to 44.6°F (7°C) at night. That's the coldest it gets here.

"In our first years in São Paulo, the weather confounded me. I'd send the kids to school in long sleeves and sweaters, only for them to come home in short sleeves... They can change at school, but of course, they'd forget their sweaters and leggings at school. It took time to learn the trick of light clothing with a name-stamped sweater. I learned this from community women. Every Friday, the kids return with bags full of their clothing items."

Brazilian landscape, Foz de Iguaçu

What's the Political Situation Like?

"I'm not very versed in politics, only noting the current president is very supportive of Israel. For years, there wasn't any political backing for the State of Israel, but now there's an excellent relationship between the countries. Talks are ongoing about moving the Brazilian embassy to Jerusalem. A year ago, during the dam disaster in Minas Gerais, Israel sent a rescue mission to search for survivors, providing equipment to identify victims. The dam broke and buried a village in mud and water, claiming 250 lives. The dam is a flight away from São Paulo. Thank God, I don't know anyone affected by the disaster, nor did anyone from the Jewish community get hurt. My heart goes out to the victims' families."

Are Jews Involved in Government Policies?

"Jews aren't involved in government policies, but they're highly esteemed by the authorities and the Brazilian populace."

Do You Experience Antisemitism?

"Antisemitism? Not at all! We proudly walk the streets with kippot and tzitzit and speak Hebrew freely. At the airport, we're proud of our Judaism. Thank God, there's immense tolerance and respect, regardless of religion, race, or gender. Brazilians have a strong belief in God and respect for the Jewish people. When asked in the elevator about my origin, and I mention the Land, people exclaim, 'The Holy Land, where God resides.' Visiting the Land is a dream for many Brazilians, even just to see the promised land from biblical tales."

How Did You Celebrate Chanukah?

"Unfortunately, it's not as festive as in the Land, and I lament that my children don't experience what I did—shops brimming with *sufganiyot*, menorahs, and dreidels. Even during Purim, there's no music, and it's relatively quiet here.

"At home, the holiday spirit is felt: we lit the menorah, made latkes, and gathered around for a family game. We could even spot menorahs in windows. Not many, as most of the city empties of its residents. I mean, it's December now. Everyone's off on holidays, some within Brazil, others traveling abroad. We also have a short trip planned to the Land, and God willing, we'll resume activities in early February. However, those who remain in the city light candles."

Have You Visited the Land? What Were Your Impressions?

"We visit the Land at least once a year, in Jerusalem, the holy city, staying with parents. We catch up with family, enjoy outings, chat into the night, and bridge gaps. My children think the Land is always like July vacations—no school, just excursions and meetings.

"Overall, the Land for us is like a dream. A blessed abundance in everything: from culinary delights to new construction, city renovations, cleanliness, children's activities, Jewish clothing, and much more..."

Brazilian landscape, Rio de Janeiro

Is There Anything You Can't Get There That You Wish You Had From the Land?

"Honestly, we don't have the culinary abundance of the Land, but we manage. We bring what we can from the Land, and family sends packages with chocolate, soup almonds, crispy coating for schnitzel, breakfast snacks, and special cereals like 'Shugi' and 'Kariot'. Sometimes, I ask for specific books. But usually, when I'm in the Land, I buy what's needed, like kippot and washing cups. Packages are sent via visiting rabbis or businessmen 'on the line', who occasionally stay with us for Shabbat."

"When asked if anything is missing? I reply, nothing, just family. I'm very attached to them, and distance feels much during holidays. Yet there's something I wish to bring to the Land: the tranquility. There's a rare mutual respect and Brazilian politeness not found in other South American countries we've visited. This blessed peace is something I wish Israelis could adopt: less stress, fewer shouts, no queue arguments, fewer street honks, and shoving in Geula..."

A Story That Could Only Happen Here.

"Brazil signifies personal security challenges. In this third-world country, if something, God forbid, happened, calling the police would be irrelevant (I don't even know the number). Thankfully, the Jewish community is well organized with ambulance services, security, and even kosher hospital food.

"We live in a neighborhood with the city's highest Jewish concentration, It is gated and secured not out of anti-Semitic fear but of thieves, kidnappers, and robbers. Buildings are enclosed with iron bars, secured with surveillance cameras, and staffed with guards who only permit entry after verifying homeowner approval. It has double entry doors; only after the first entrance door closes does the second one open. My children never step out alone, always accompanied by adults. We avoid wandering streets at night as adults too, using cars if necessary.

"A few kidnappings occurred in the community, resolved for ransom without harm, as kidnappers primarily seek money. However, a terrifying incident 30 years ago involved the abduction and unfortunate demise of a prominent community leader's only son. In his memory, the parents contributed and built splendid synagogues in the Land named 'Zachor L'Avraham'."