Throughout Latin America, there are thousands of Jews returning to their heritage and many newly converted who need our help to live a fully Jewish life. Rabbi David Algaze, the rabbi of the Orthodox synagogue Havurat Yisrael in Forest Hills, New York, is deeply committed to supporting these communities, helping them reconnect with their identity and strengthen their observance of Torah and mitzvot.

As part of this mission, Portal al Judaísmo (Portal to Judaism)—a grassroots initiative dedicated to guiding and supporting returning Jewish communities across Latin America—recently held a historic convention in Medellín, Colombia. The event brought together leaders from Jewish communities across the region to foster unity, promote education, and provide halachic guidance. This gathering marked an important milestone in building a network of support for communities in both spiritual and practical growth.

In many areas across Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, there is an urgent need for kosher tefillin, as many members still do not have access to this essential mitzvah. Even among those who do own tefillin, many sets are in poor condition and require inspection and repair to ensure they remain kosher and suitable for use.

In some communities, there is even a Sefer Torah that may have survived the horrors of the Holocaust but now suffers from significant wear and defects and may no longer be kosher for public reading. This sacred scroll, which has already endured unimaginable hardship, now faces the danger of being lost unless restored.

For this reason, we are organizing a special project to send a qualified Sofer who can inspect, repair, and restore both tefillin and Sifrei Torah in these communities. Preserving these sacred items—symbols of our eternal covenant with Hashem—is essential for maintaining Jewish continuity in the region.

In addition to tefillin, there is a critical shortage of talitot and siddurim (prayer books), which are indispensable for daily prayer and religious life. Many communities lack even the most basic resources for a functioning Jewish life.

Through this fundraising campaign, we aim to gather the necessary resources to acquire, repair, and distribute these sacred items, and to send experts where they are needed most. We also seek to provide communities with the siddurim and tallitot they so desperately need.

Your support is vital to ensure that all members of these returning communities have the tools to fulfill their religious obligations and deepen their connection to Jewish tradition. Together, we can help revive the spiritual lives of those reconnecting with their roots and ensure that sacred objects—and sacred souls—continue to shine for generations to come.