The Jewish Family in Latin America: Transnational Dialectics of Integration and Distinctiveness

Latin America is characterized by socio-ethnic, economic, and political diversities and differing national constellations. The region is marked by unequal structural heterogeneity, cultural varieties, different narratives, and similarities, shared past trajectories and contemporary challenges. On its part, inner differentiations at the Jewish communal levels —sub-ethnicities, religious diversification, and ideological and political allegiances, among others—shape the profile and place of collective life: diversity among diversity. The changing profile and functions of the Jewish family as a pillar of group continuity find expression in various axis-social, economic, and cultural- influenced by the associational and institutional structures, the place and role of women, agency, and related gender dimensions. In this broad framework we will first analyze the transnational character of Jewish life in Latin America in its past and present connections marked by the migratory phenomenon. We then address the conceptualization of Jewish family in order to approach the dialectics of continuity and change as a conceptual horizon for its study in Latin America. The article further addresses the continuum of women, family, community and society from the public-private binomial perspective as spheres that overlap, and addresses the trilogy family, community and identities under the signs of pluralism. It concludes with an exploration of family and Jewish identity as conceived and sought through the literary imagination.