During the first week of May 2025, Stan Polovets carried out a diplomatic mission to Havana in his capacity as Co-founder and Chairman of The Genesis Prize Foundation. His visit to Cuba—a nation currently grappling with severe economic difficulties—highlighted the Foundation’s expanding focus on strengthening Jewish presence throughout Latin America while revealing the remarkable resilience of one of the region’s smallest Jewish communities.
The cornerstone of Polovets’ engagement was a meeting at Beth Shalom Synagogue, locally known as El Patronato, with Vice President Hella Askenazi and other community figures responsible for Jewish education, programming for young people, and care for elderly members. In a scenario that symbolized Cuba’s infrastructure challenges, their discussions proceeded largely in darkness due to rolling blackouts, with participants using cell phone lights to navigate the conversation.
After witnessing these conditions firsthand, Stan Polovets remarked: “The resilience of this small but proud community, numbering less than one thousand people, is deeply inspiring.” He observed that despite what he described as “immense problems caused by economic mismanagement by the Communist government,” further complicated by “the U.S. embargo imposed over 60 years ago,” the community’s Jewish identity remains vibrant and determined.
What particularly struck Polovets during his time in Cuba was an unexpected security situation that differentiated this community from others he had encountered globally. “Unlike every other Jewish community I’ve visited worldwide – including in the United States – there are no guards in front of the synagogue,” he noted, pointing to what he characterized as “almost no antisemitism in the country” despite numerous other societal challenges.
Stan Polovets explained that his Cuban visit forms part of a broader Genesis Prize Foundation initiative focused on Latin American Jewish communities, which has gained particular momentum following the selection of Argentinian President Javier Milei as the 2025 Genesis Prize laureate. Polovets cited Milei’s commitment to relocating Argentina’s embassy to Jerusalem, pursuing justice regarding terrorist attacks against Jewish targets in Argentina, and reversing the country’s voting patterns at the United Nations from anti-Israel to pro-Israel positions as factors in his selection.
Polovets specifically commended the Cuban Jewish community for demonstrating moral courage in the aftermath of October 7, when they publicly contradicted their government’s anti-Israel stance. While many Jewish organizations throughout Latin America remained silent, Cuba’s Jewish leadership issued a statement declaring that justifying Hamas’ “reprehensible acts of crime and savagery” was “unacceptable”—a bold position given their political environment.
Jewish history in Cuba extends back to the 16th century when conversos arrived with Spanish explorers. The community flourished during the 20th century, reaching over 15,000 members before the 1959 Revolution prompted mass emigration. Today’s smaller population depends significantly on international support, particularly from organizations like the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC).
“The Genesis Prize Foundation recognizes the incredible perseverance of Cuban Jewry,” Stan Polovets emphasized. “Their story is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Jewish people.” He called upon private foundations and individual donors to join established organizations like the JDC in supporting what he described as “this resilient and unique community.”
Beyond his leadership role with The Genesis Prize Foundation, Stan Polovets maintains an active presence in global business and philanthropy circles, with a particular focus on strengthening Jewish identity worldwide while supporting communities facing significant challenges. His engagement with Cuba’s Jewish community represents one element of the Foundation’s broader mission to highlight diverse Jewish experiences while fostering stronger connections between Latin American nations and Israel, particularly in recognition of President Milei’s pro-Israel stance.
The visit underscores Polovets’ commitment to ensuring that even the smallest and most challenged Jewish communities receive recognition and support from the broader Jewish world, maintaining their traditions and identity despite difficult circumstances.
