This article appeared in the Dec. 18, 2003 Jewish Advocate.

Beth El holds benefit tonight for Cuban community

By Susie Davidson

Advocate Correspondent

At a wedding early on in her photographic career, a rabbi observed that Wayland resident Linda Hirsch’s job description should read "she who makes memories with light.” She took this to heart, dedicating her work to furthering a universal aim.

“These images which I have created are like tiny “nitzotzot," Hebrew for sparks, the divine energy trapped in matter,” she remarked to her children. “As you contemplate them, it is my wish that you be inspired to continue my interest in human rights in some way, to find meaning in your daily lives and endeavors, to act with purpose and intention, to pursue ‘tikkun olam,’ repairing a tear in the fabric of the universe,” she said.

Two years ago, Hirsch and husband Gary traveled to Cambridge sister city Cienfuegos, Cuba, for the second time. They plan to return again this February on behalf of Congregation Beth El of Sudbury’s Cuba Fund, which provides religious materials and educational, cultural, medical and nutritional assistance to the small coastal town’s 35-member Jewish community. They also hope to find a permanent place of worship for the group, which for the past decade has held services in a member’s home. Tonight, Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m., the Fund will hold a benefit for its Cuban-Jewish Connection at the Jorge Hernandez Cultural Center in Boston's South End, with live music by world-beat ensemble Mango Blue. The Center, located at Villa Victoria, is a designated Historic Landmark which features an intimate cabaret setting much like Cuban “casas de la cultura,” which connect communities to the arts. Legendary Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant and his wife, Maria, have accepted Hirsch's invitation to be guests of honor.

This year, the Fund is focusing upon easier access to ritual education, including Jewish and Hebrew literacy for Bar and Bat Mitzvah. “This small but fiesty group ranges in age from pre-school to senior citizen, with professionals in dentistry, engineering, law, architecture, and banking,” explained Hirsch. The Joint Distribution Committee and the National Cuban Jewish Organization are both based in Havana, but since the group is located far from the capital, both assistance and education are intermittent at best. “Their dream is to have a free-standing sanctuary within which to hold religious and communal gatherings,” Hirsch adds.

“We were greeted at the bus stop by Rebeca, leader of the community, her little boy, Danielito, our translator Olga, and Jacobo, a computer engineer who is responsible for sugar cane processing machinery operations all over Cienfuegos province,” Hirsch recalls. The first evening, they shared stories from Beth El and gave the members Judaica gifts and art supplies. “Their top priority is to have a new sanctuary; a cemetary was not deemed as important,” she said, relating Jacobo’s words, "We are a young and growing community. We would rather establish a sanctuary as our living legacy." At a Purim party, Rebeca told the ancient story with teenagers David, Roxanna, Rafael, and Frank acting it out and onlookers shaking the groggers Beth El members had brought the previous year. “The age range was 2-70's,” Hirsch said, noting that they had downloaded Purim recipes and stories from the web, but Rebeca didn’t have an oven. Fortunately, the group was able to recruit Sixto, the pastry chef at the nearby Jagua Hotel, who was eager to learn, Hirsch snapping her lens during the baking. “From now on, visitors to the Jagua will be eating these unique pastries and learning about the ‘miracle of Purim’," she said.

Photo-journalist and psychologist Hirsch has studied photography as well as holography, hand-made paper, alternative processes and computer-generated print work since the 1970s. Her work has appeared in many local and international publications and exhibitions; her commissioned pieces have been shown in archives and private collections, which include the Estate of Buckminster Fuller. A founder of Arts-Wayland and Distinguished Artist member of the Concord, Newburyport and New Hampshire Art Associations, the Photographic Resource Center and other groups, Hirsch has regularly appeared on Wayland Cable TV.

But her mission goes far deeper than mere artistic output. A member of Artists for Survival and Gallery for Social and Political Art, her involvements include Amnesty International, Physicians for Human Rights, AIDS Action, Facing History and Ourselves, Harvard University’s FXB Center for Health and Human Rights, and the Dalai Lama’s 1998 visit to Brandeis University. Recipient of a public art grant from First Night Boston as well as other photographic honors, she has curated several Cuban art series; her work is displayed in the offices of Cuban-born State Senator Jarrett Barrios.

8-piece band Mango Blue, led by Ecuadorian composer, bassist and singer Alex Alvear, has been nominated 8 times for Best World Music Group by the Boston Music Awards, and also received this distinction by the Boston Phoenix in 2000. The group has been featured in over 65 public television stations. Tonight, they will focus on Cuban rhythms.

“Through diversity comes strength and understanding,” says Hirsch, whose school yearbook’s quote was “To be an optimist, close one eye and believe with the other.” “This is what our efforts are all about - expanding one's world in order to show compassion and support for the needs of others,” she concludes. “In this case, it is our Cuban brothers and sisters.”

The Jorge Hernandez Cultural Center is located at the Villa Victoria, 85 W. Newton St. in Boston's South End; it is accessible by car and MBTA. Reserved parking will be available for $5 per car. Admission for this over-21 event is $25 in advance, with limited reserved cabaret seating $35. Checks (for tickets or donations) may be made out to Congregation Beth El-Sudbury Cuba Fund, 105 Hudson Rd., Sudbury, MA 01776. Amounts in excess of ticket price are tax-deductible. For more information, please call 617-927-1730, or the Beth El office at 978-443-9622.