Experiencing Jewish Cuba (and My Family’s History) with JDC
Pamela Binder had the time of her life in Cuba with JDC — and she got to reconnect with her own heritage, too.
By Pamela Binder - JDC Supporter | July 23, 2025
When Pamela Binder joined a recent JDC mission to Cuba, she didn’t just dance salsa and ride in a classic convertible: She witnessed a vibrant Jewish community and reconnected with her family’s past. In this reflection, Binder — a dedicated JDC supporter — walks us through her unforgettable trip and makes the case for the power of traveling with JDC.
In 1941, when my father was still a baby, he and his older brother and my grandparents escaped the atrocities against Jews that were occurring in Europe. For a year, they traveled and hid and tried to find safety, before eventually booking passage on a ship that brought them to Cuba.
My father and his family lived there for nearly seven years before eventually arriving in New York City. My grandfather, Jacob Swergold, had been in the textile business in Belgium before the Second World War. Right before fleeing Antwerp, when the banks were all closed, he took all of the money they had and exchanged it for diamonds. Those diamonds were what he used to barter and pay for his family’s passage to safety.
During the 1940s, many Jews in Havana worked in the diamond industry, and my grandfather joined them, and eventually, set up a business in the Diamond District in New York City.
In May of this year, I sat on the steps of the apartment building in Havana where my father grew up. It was a surreal experience for me, and one that I will be forever grateful to have had. JDC made that possible. The moment I saw the apartment building in person, which I had only seen before in photos, I could barely contain my emotions.
I am keenly aware that had my father not made it to Cuba, I might not be here today. Knowing, as I sat on those stone steps, that my father had run up and down them as a small boy, and that my grandmother had made a home for her family in that building was overwhelming. My grandmother, who ensured there were always extra noodles in my chicken soup, who bought me dresses from the fanciest store in Queens, had raised her two young boys in that building in Havana and made a life for them all there.
My mother has been a JDC Board Member for many years now, and last year, I completed the two-year Society Fellowship program, JDC’s executive leadership program where over the course of two years, a select group of current JDC Ambassadors learn about JDC’s significant history and impact, gain an insider’s view into the organization, and hone leadership skills to become leaders and advocates for JDC and global Jewish communities.
This rich opportunity gave me a much broader understanding of the vital work that is done all across the world helping Jews in need. Through JDC, my parents also created The Swergold Family Foundation for Children in Crisis which helps children around the world.
Passing along the importance of philanthropy is extremely important to them; therefore, the Foundation’s allocations committee consists of the five Swergold grandchildren. The youngest grandchild began voting at age 8 — she is now 18. Their decisions about where the money is allocated is entirely up to the five of them. JDC simply provides them with possible programs for Jewish children and nonsectarian projects around the world to consider. With this in mind, I wanted to see JDC’s work firsthand — and so I went to Cuba.
Havana was nothing like I expected, and being on a mission was also nothing like I expected. In the 1930s and 1940s, there were more than 20,000 Jews in Cuba. Today there are fewer than 700 – a small but mighty group! JDC’s dedication to leave no Jew behind rings very true in Cuba. Since the community has dwindled so significantly, it was amazing to see firsthand how they have embraced Judaism, and they celebrate being together at every opportunity.
Our group was privileged to meet with members of the community, and to hear how important The Joint is to them and what a difference our contributions make in their lives. Seeing how JDC’s impact on such a small community is so enormous just shows how much good is being done, and how that impact is multiplied enormously when working in much larger communities.
Having the opportunity to spend time with JDC professionals also was hugely impactful. The dedication JDC staff have for their work and the communities they support is remarkable. Seeing this was truly inspiring — it takes very special people to work in this field, and JDC has so many of these amazing people around the world.
Speaking as a “newbie” on the mission experience, I can say this: Go to Cuba. It is the perfect first mission. Havana is like being in a time warp — it is a gorgeous European city crumbling on a tropical island. The juxtaposition of seeing what it must have been in its heyday, and what it is today was heartbreaking.
Beauty is everywhere you look in Cuba. Going on a mission, I must admit, was a little bit daunting to me. I have not traveled alone since I was a child sent off to summer camp. I did not expect the bonding, the fun, and the laughter we experienced as a group. Sprinkled throughout our visits within the Jewish Community, we danced salsa, visited with artists, and we ate a lot of ceviche.
I think I can speak for all of us on the mission when I say that we learned a tremendous amount about Cuban history and the resilience of Jews, which is never surprising. We were all impressed by the dedication of the Jewish community — how they support each other, and come together at every opportunity to celebrate being Jewish.
Life in Cuba is difficult. But with JDC’s support, the community finds comfort simply by being together, celebrating traditions, caring for those in greater need. Seeing this is imperative.
Go to Cuba. Go on a mission. I know this will have been the first of many for me.
A dedicated JDC supporter, Pamela Binder lives in New York City.
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