In September, Fellowship staff visited Chile, which is home to the third largest population of Jews in South America. During their time there, they were able to speak with some leaders of the Jewish community and learn how Jewish life in Chile has changed since October 7. This included the current president of the Nueva Yisrael (New Israel) Community and the Head of Security for the Jewish Community of Chile.
The Nueva Yisrael Community is one of Chile’s most historic Jewish advocacy groups, founded by Jews who fled Europe during the rise of Nazism. At the same time, Chile also became home to a large Palestinian community—most of whom were Christians fleeing persecution from the Ottomans. Nueva Yisrael Community president Yonathan Nidorowsky says the two communities lived in peace and even harmony, but that changed in 2000 with the outbreak of the Second Intifada. The Palestinian community became more radicalized, and their views towards Jews shifted dramatically. While the Jewish community in Chile has grown to 16,000, the Palestinian community is roughly half a million—the largest Palestinian population outside of the Middle East.
“There have been violent demonstrations that undermined the community’s sense of security. A synagogue in downtown Santiago has been vandalized multiple times, with paint thrown on its walls and anti-Semitic graffiti sprayed across them. Jews wearing traditional clothing are often insulted in public,” said Yonathan. “At present, it has become dangerous to live openly as a Jew in Chile. Anti-Semitism here differs from that in Europe—whereas in Europe it is rooted in traditional prejudices, in Chile it often manifests as equating Zionism with Nazism.”
With their children being asked to hide any symbols of their Jewish identity, many Jews in Chile are considering leaving. And in the years since October 7, things have only gotten worse. Nidorowsky pointed out a great need for enhanced safety for Jews in Chile; the Nueva Yisrael Community building reflects this with barbed wire and armed guards at the entrance, and no Jewish symbols on the exterior.
Taryn Revesz, Head of Security for the Jewish community in Chile, reflected on the escalations since October 7—what began as protests outside Israeli embassies soon spread to synagogues and Jewish schools. Taryn said that the safety of Jewish children is the largest priority.
“In the meantime, we have had to increase our own security,” Taryn shared. “Jewish schools no longer allow children to wear uniforms in public because they make them identifiable. Religious Jews are asked to cover their kippot with hats. Some community activities have been suspended or moved. We have installed cameras with advanced analytics, created safe rooms in every facility, and developed a community-wide program called Community Awareness and Resilience Education. It teaches people how to report suspicious behavior, how to secure entrances, and even includes a panic button app. Sadly, this has become part of daily life.”
Taryn ended the conversation on a hopeful note, however. She believes that the Jewish community in Chile is not doomed and very much has a future. Its young people, while hiding any articles of faith in public, are still involved in strengthening Jewish life. And with resilience, unity, and support, Jews in Chile can thrive.
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20).
