Jewish Women in Mexico

Publication Date: November 1999

Publisher: Hadassah International Research Institute on Jewish Women

Author(s): Paulette Kershenovich

Research Area: Culture and religion; Population and demographics; Social conditions

Keywords: History; Immigration; Women

Type: Brief

Coverage: Mexico

Abstract:

This study focuses on Mexico City where 95% of Mexican Jews live. It includes a historical overview of the Jewish community in Spain, emphasizing gender dynamics, womenÂ’s lives, and the emergence of womenÂ’s organizational leadership. Traditional gender role expectations continue to play a strong role in the lives of Mexican Jews. 88.7% of all Jews appear in synagogue only during the high holidays; most deeply identify with their Jewishness but not with their religiosity; the community is very close-knit and unified in its Jewish identity; nearly 90% of the children belong to a youth movement and nearly 75% support and participate in the community. Most Jews in Mexico consider themselves Jews first and Mexicans second. Jews in Mexico for the most part do not mix with other Mexicans. The intermarriage rate is a low 3.1%.