Watch Abraham and Eugenia: Stories from Jewish Cuba

Abraham and Eugenia: Stories from Jewish Cuba is a heartening documentary that depicts the dwindling lives of the Jewish community in Cuba. The movie is a memoir of sorts, framed by a series of interviews with elderly Cuban Jews who narrate their reminiscences about their homeland, their socio-cultural background, and their religious and cultural customs. It sheds light on the rich and complex history of Jewish migration in Cuba and how it impacted people's lives.

The movie begins by highlighting the plights of the two titular characters- Abraham and Eugenia. Both are in their 80s and have lived in Cuba all their lives. They talk about their upbringing and how their parents migrated to Cuba from Europe and the Middle East. The movie delves into the history of immigration to Cuba and how it was fueled by the growth of the tobacco and sugar industries. The Jews who landed on its shores in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were mostly from Turkey, Syria, and Morocco who fled from the Ottoman Empire's harsh treatment.

The narrative then moves on to provide insights into how the Jewish community in Cuba evolved over the years. The film explains how the early Jewish immigrants struggled to adapt to their new lives in a predominantly Catholic and Hispanic society. Most of them started small businesses, but they still faced discrimination and persecution from the ruling elite- a fact that changed only under the Fidel Castro regime.

As the orthodox synagogues waned, the Reform and Conservative synagogues flourished. The younger generation of Jews in Cuba began mixing with the Hispanic Catholics and were less bound by religious tradition. The movie showcases the emerging Afro-Cuban-Jewish tradition in which many Jews in Cuba practiced Judaism with a mix of African influences such as the Santeria religion.

The movie also touches upon the role of Cuban Jews in the Cuban revolution. The Cuban Jewish community was split over the issue of aligning with the revolution, but many prominent Jewish personalities supported Castro. The film highlights how the Cuban revolution, although it initially provided some relief to the Jewish community after years of discrimination, ultimately led to their exodus and the almost complete collapse of the Jewish community in Cuba.

Throughout the movie, the personal stories of Abraham and Eugenia weave through the larger story of the Jewish community, providing insight into their individual experiences and lives in Cuba. They share their nostalgia for the communities that have all but disappeared, making the movie both informative and highly personal. The focus on their stories brings an emotional depth to the narrative and makes for a more engaging viewing experience.

Overall, Abraham and Eugenia: Stories from Jewish Cuba is an insightful and touching documentary that provides a comprehensive insight into the history of Jewish immigration in Cuba. It presents a poignant picture of the hardships and struggles of the Cuban Jewish community under different regimes, religious traditions, and social norms, and how politics and society impacted the lives of the people. The movie is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of stories to preserve legacies for future generations.