ONCE UPON A TIME...........

and not so long ago, a flurry of activity unfolded each and every day in the Jewish community of Buenos Aires.

So just close your eyes for a moment and let yourself be transported back to this beautiful city boasting lush foliage, tropical breezes, and scenes of vibrant Jewish cultural life everywhere you look.  It is a feast for all your senses!

Imagine the beginning of a typical day about to unfold at the Hebrew Day School located in the Schule.  The building and school yard are crowded with cheerful children running about.  Parents are smiling as they watch their sons and daughters happy at play and ready to start another day of learning.  They are growing up so fast!

Then, picture Jonathan, who is a handsome young man in Grade 10.  He has many things to look forward to, but one of his favourites is playing basketball with his friends at Maccabi, one of the most popular Jewish Community Centres in town.  They meet there every week for a friendly game or two.  Then, on weekends, they join their parents as whole families make their way to the countryside for a couple of days of fun and relaxation.  They take in the wide green spaces, frolic in the swimming pool, use the local arenas and gyms, and participate in a multitude of social activities along with many other members of the Jewish community.  Life couldn't be better.

Meanwhile, Magali is thinking about the new aerobics class she will begin tomorrow.  She is excited yet apprehensive as she does not know anyone else who has joined.  Her mother has assured her that there is nothing to worry about and that in a short time she will meet many new friends there.  She explains to her that no too long ago, Magali's sister, Marina, also had some hesitations of her own, when she was about to embark on her Bat Mitzvah lessons at Temple Amijai, but she too got over her fears in no time at all. 

At the end of each week, the hustle and bustle of every day life winds down as the Jewish community prepares for Shabbat.  Raul and his family go to the synagogue affiliated with Bialik School.  Daniel and his wife decide to go to the country club.  Marta and family head to the Gran Templo de Paso, a splendid synagogue with beautiful white arches adorning the entrance of this magnificent structure.

On Saturdays, many families send their young children to programs run by young Jewish leaders who have been trained at the Madrijim School.  This training prepares them to become volunteer counselors at a myriad of Jewish organizations.  The most popular ones are Hebraica and Hacoaj, two of the biggest Jewish community centres in Buenos Aires; B'nai Tikva Synagogue; and a number of other Jewish centres.  They conduct exciting programs with the "janijim" (the children) including celebrating Jewish holidays, athletics, folk dancing, social activities, etc.

There was a time when teenagers used to congregate in community centres or synagogues.  Even though they all came from different schools, including public schools, private bilingual high schools, university dependent schools, or the ORT School (a technical-oriented program), they all shared the same interests.  They had wonderful times discussing various topics or just hanging out together.

Claudio kisses his son and runs off to open his store situated in the neighbourhood of El Once, which was, at one time, the hub of Jewish life.  The streets were lined with countless stores, delicatessens, and other businesses owned primarily by Jews.  There are still a few remaining ones such as Claudio's which was opened by his grandfather years ago.  Though not what it once was, it is still able to sustain Claudio's family and allows him to indulge in some leisurely activities such as attending local concerts and practising his sports.

Claudio's friend Jorge, an accountant, is now working in an insurance company.  His wife is an artist.  Though Jewish, they do not attend synagogue or the community centre.  Instead, they pursue other interests.  Jorge, for example, takes his daily jog and meets friends over a cup of coffee to share stories and have a laugh.  No matter which area they end up moving to, there is always a coffee shop nearby with the scent of java and those lovely "argentine-flavoured" croissants wafting through the air ..... mmmmmmm.

And what can their long chats be about?  Their passionate dialogue starts with sports, then switches to politics, continues with international current events, and ends with a discussion about cars, the economy, and personal concerns.  There is always plenty to talk about.

The day goes by..........afternoon arrives..........

Mariana, an Argentinean woman with a Sephardic background, is busy cooking tantalizing delicacies for her family.  She is proud of the precious legacy of the Jewish people and takes the time to pass these traditions down to her children.  Mostly, she is a good mother and takes care of her family.  She makes it a priority to choose the healthiest foods for them and is a terrific baker.  Her hands move so quickly as she follows her recipes, adding one ingredient and then another.  It is almost as if she is sprinkling love into every movement, which will then be transferred to her loved ones, in every bite.

The school bus begins its afternoon route.  One by one, the children are dropped off at their homes as family members wait for them with open arms and warm smiles.

Ezequiel is taking guitar lessons.  He must make sure that he isn't late this time, as his teacher awaits him patiently.  Uriel must begin his homework but first he sneaks in a few minutes of T.V. and munches on a snack.  Grade four is tough so he procrastinates and begrudgingly thinks to himself, "do I really need to finish my assignment today?"

Aida is waiting at home for her daughter Silvana to arrive with her two children.  This is Aida's favourite part of the week: spending time with her precious grandchildren.  Silvana cherishes these moments too, as she and her husband Marcos have a chance to sneak in a movie with some close friends while Bubbie and Zaidie take care of the kids.

The phone rings somewhere and Guillermo runs to get it.  It's Mario inviting Guillermo and his wife to his home so the two couples can share an after-dinner coffee and a piece of cake.

Another four pals, Margarita, Ana, Jose and Gloria, decide to spend an afternoon at the riverside just chatting, drinking mate and snacking on the mouth-watering "bizcochitos de grasa" (fat cookies).  The scenery is so breathtaking by the water.

Ah......our beloved Buenos Aires......you can see that it is like a small heaven on earth.  What could have possibly ruined the peace and happiness of all these people?  Why would they ever think of leaving this paradise, Argentina?

What happened to the future they dreamed of?

After years of building such dynamic Jewish communities, what turmoil and tragedy could have wreaked such havoc on their wonderful world?

Like an ominous storm, with vicious clouds, black skies, and torrential downpours, the cruel, haunting winds of change were what disturbed the peaceful lives of thousands of Argentinean Jews in a way they never could have imagined.

The dreams will have to be transported to another place, leaving the beauty of Buenos Aires behind.

What will never change, however, are the deep feelings the Argentinean Jews will always have for their beloved Buenos Aires, and for their age-old traditions, customs, and values.  These treasures can never be taken away, and will travel with them wherever they go, forever embedded in their memories and in their hearts.