Walking into the office, one is immediately drawn into the warmth radiating from the colorful artwork and artifacts on the walls and shelves. Colorful Latino art posters depicting animals, birds and nature, and wonderful Judaic handiwork: a menorah, a ceramic bowl with a “chai” in the center, a wooden box with a bronze Star of David. The juxtaposition seems to work perfectly, particularly when you talk to the intriguing man who has chosen these items to surround him at work.
Carlos Galindo-Elvira is the chief development officer for Valle del Sol. Generally that title denotes the person in charge of raising money for a nonprofit organization, but in this case, it means a lot more. In addition to raising money for the multifaceted organization, he is raising awareness and creating meaningful connections for his community – in fact, for both of them.
Carlos is a Latino Jew… or a Jewish Latino. This wasn’t always exactly the case. Carlos was born and raised as a Catholic. About seven years ago, Rabbi Robert Kravetz and Ken Smith invited him to spend a week in Israel through the American Jewish Committee’s program called Project Interchange. Project Interchange is an educational institute of AJC, bringing policy-makers and community leaders to Israel for a week of intensive travel and learning. Participants experience Israeli society, connect with their Israeli counterparts and learn about Israel’s extensive contributions in their fields.
“Before the trip, I thought of Israel as biblically grand,” says Carlos. “But when you’re there on the ground, you realize how tiny it is, and that brings to focus so many of the social and political realities.” It was an ecumenical trip; the tours included visits to major points of interest for all the major religions represented in the area. “When we went to Yad Vashem,” he smiles with modest pride, “I was the one chosen to lay the wreath.” And when they reached Masada, Carlos felt something special happened. They had come down from the top of the fortress when he heard his name called. He looked back to see a group gathered around the flagpole, and he suddenly remembered the end of the film “Masada,” which he had seen as a young child: the same scene, around the flagpole. It seemed to Carlos that things were coming full circle.
He had been looking for more religious meaning in his life. He called Rabbi Andrew Straus, who was at the time the rabbi for Tem- ple Emanuel in Tempe. Rabbi Straus suggested that Carlos might be interested in taking a basic “Understanding Judaism” course. Carlos agreed, and thus began his exploration. He appreciated it when Rabbi Straus told him, “You are the driver on this journey. I am not going to call or suggest or push. You are in charge.”
After reading in depth and taking additional courses, Carlos knew Judaism was what he wanted in his life. He completed his requirements for conversion and accompanied the rabbi to Saguaro Lake for submersion on June 21 that year, “the longest and hottest day of the year,” he recalls. With them was a teenager who had received permission to convert as well. As Carlos was coming out of the lake, he wondered why the young man was still behind him, splashing away. He gave his hand to the teenager and helped him out of the water. It seemed the young man could not swim. Carlos had saved a life – his first official mitzvah. He says Rabbi Straus smiled and said, “You see, Carlos, G-d approved of your decision.”
In Carlos’ home the Galindo-Elvira family celebrates all the holidays. His parents approved of his conversion when they under- stood that he still believed in G-d, in being his brother’s keeper, in providing service to others and in the all-important honoring one’s parents. “Once my mother understood that honoring one’s parents also meant caring for them, she felt grateful that she could count on this son to take care of her in her old age,” he grins.
About a year prior to his trip to Israel, Carlos was approached by Ken Smith and Rabbi Larry Bell, then director of the local AJC. They wanted to create a Latino-Jewish seder in the Valley. They knew that Valle del Sol sponsored the Hispanic Leadership Institute, which helps to develop leaders in the Latino community. It turned out to be the perfect partnership. The two communities share a love and respect for family and community. And Passover’s message of freedom and hope is one that resonates with both as well. Smith, a local philanthropist who passed away last year, had the vision to connect the communities to move the conversation forward in a meaningful way. On March 14 the Eighth Annual Latino-Jewish Seder will be held at the Arizona Jewish Historical Society’s Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center.
Carlos is particularly pleased that the Center will be their new home. “It’s perfect,” he says. “The Center itself is a place that exudes appreciation of diversity, having been home to so many different ethnicities.” His reference is to the fact that the building began as Temple Beth Israel in 1921, became a Chinese Baptist church in 1957, then a Latino Baptist church in 1981, and now has come back to the Jewish community. He’s equally pleased that Rabbi Maynard Bell will continue to lead the service.
Attendance at this unique seder is by invitation only, simply to control numbers. Between 100 and 150 individuals attend, includ- ing those from the Hispanic Leadership Institute, American Jewish Committee and a variety of other community organizations. Carlos takes care to seat the Latinos and Jews in checkerboard fashion, in case there are questions. The Haggadah for the seder is a lovely, full-color booklet that is now in its second printing. Originally 8,000 were printed, and those are now gone, since each participant is allowed to take one home. Included are the basics of any seder, but there are some special additions to this one.
“Kuanto fue demudada la noche la esta mas ke todas las noches” (Why is this night different from all other nights?) is Ladino, the Sephardic Jewish language that combines Spanish and Hebrew. The four questions and an ancient poem, also in Ladino, are included in this Haggadah. The Haggadah includes an interesting addition to the plagues. Besides the 10 biblical plagues, this Haggadah contains modern- day evils: hatred, violence, crime, fraud, political corruption, injustice, xenophobia, discrimination, neglect of human needs and neglect of our environment. These are accompanied by the traditional drops of wine and said with the hope that people will cast out these plagues wherever they are found.
While the seder is not meant to have political overtones, Carlos knows that each year the topic of immigration will come up. He knows, too, that this year the discussion will be even more emphatic than usual. In fact, he laughs, he’s thinking of putting another empty chair next to Elijah’s and labeling it “Immigration Reform,” hoping that it too will walk through the door very soon.
In addition to creating good feelings and warm friendships, the seder and the extended Latino-Jewish relationships it encourages have very practical benefits. Just a couple of years ago, the Arizona Legislature was debating the birthright provision in the U.S. Constitution. The 14th Amendment ensures that anyone born in the United States is a citizen. Repealing or amending this right would have devastating consequences in the Latino community. Fourteen rabbis – he repeats the number – wrote an editorial in the Arizona Republic to stand up for the existing amendment. “It matters who carries the message,” he added, saying the support from the Jewish community was very significant.
“It is in the interest of both the Latino and the Jewish com- munities that we are friends and support each other. Maybe the Goldberg will help the Garcia today, and tomorrow the Garcia will come to the aid of the Goldberg.” And Carlos Galindo-Elvira will be there at the forefront and on both sides.
