Students in the 10th grade Spanish language class at Yeshivat Frisch in Paramus, New Jersey, accompanied by their Spanish language teacher Alejandro Meneses and another faculty chaperone, are preparing to participate in the school’s second annual mission to visit the Jewish community in Cuba in February. As part of their preparations, they are seeking donations of over the counter medications, personal care items, and other health care supplies.

As The Jewish Link reported in March 2023, when chronicling the school’s first mission: “According to Meneses, there are between 1,200—1,500 Jews living in Havana and they lack many common medical supplies. To secure over the counter medicines we in the US take for granted, the Jews in Havana will either wait in line for hours or resort to the black market and pay exorbitant fees.”

During the first mission, the chaperones and students donated eight duffle bags of over the counter medicines and sanitary products to the Havana Jewish community. As faculty chaperone on the first trip Toby Moses shared in March: “The eyes of the leader of their community lit up as we poured bags of medication onto the table for their taking.”

Community members can drop off over-the-counter medicines, health and sanitary supplies, and other health care aids at Yeshivat Frisch, 120 W Century Rd, in Paramus by Monday February 12th. For more information, please email Mr. Meneses at [email protected].

Harry Glazer is the Middlesex County Editor of The Jewish Link. He can be reached at [email protected]