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14
March 22 2012
South Of The Border
In Mexico, one couple found a Jewish
home away from home.
Suzanne Chessler
Contributing Writer
I
n small-town central Mexico,
close to historic buildings and
modern businesses, Linda and
Charles Soberman have found a win-
ter getaway with a spiritual bonus
— a Jewish congregation.
San Miguel de Allende, with a
moderate climate and five hours
from the ocean, provides a comfort-
able setting for professional and per-
sonal interests and a starting point
for additional travel.
The two, 60ish, leave their
Bloomfield Hills home each
November, drive five days across this
country and into the next and settle
down among new residents and
vacationers from around the world
as well as people raised in the rural
Spanish culture the Sobermans have
come to know.
While Linda Soberman continues
her work as a multimedia artist and
teacher, Charles Soberman pursues
volunteer activities, such as deliver-
ing donated food to indigent school-
children.
The Sobermans, members of
Congregation Shaarey Zedek in
Southfield, attend weekly services
and celebrations with other mem-
bers of Shalom San Miguel, which is
non-denominational and based in a
hotel meeting room.
"Each day seems like the week-
end:' says Linda Soberman, whose
work is done in a studio on the top
floor of the couple's art-filled home
outfitted with amenities similar to
what they have in the United States.
"There are galleries where I can
show my work, and there are beauti-
ful settings and scenery that provide
an atmosphere to inspire ideas."
Charles Soberman, retired presi-
dent of Mercury Paints who has
taught business at Wayne State
University, has become a volunteer
computer instructor at schools
where donated equipment has
brought some modernity to build-
ings with rudimentary electricity
and sparse running water.
"We started coming to San Miguel
on vacation about 10 years ago,
after the place was suggested by
fellow travelers in Mexico," Charles
Soberman says.
"Because we liked it so much, we
Linda Soberman Charles Soberman
decided to buy a home about five
years ago and make it our winter
destination. We rent it out during the
months we are back in Michigan
"The city, about the size of Ann
Arbor, has buildings from the 17th
century. We can get to a Costco or a
teaching hospital in about an hour,
and there are many wonderful res-
taurants where we meet up with
friends from America, Mexico and
Europe."
Much of the draw to the area has
to do with Shalom San Miguel, which
has 60 members, a few converted
from lifelong Mexican residents.
"For some years, services have
been led by Dan Lessner, a retired
doctor from New York:' explains
Charles Soberman, now known as
Carlos as he speaks Spanish fluently.
"Several years ago, a small number
of Mexicans began appearing at our
Saturday services. Some claimed to
be descendants of Spanish Jews who
were forced to convert to Catholicism
during the Spanish Inquisition.
Others felt a strong attraction to
Judaism either emotionally or intel-
lectually.
"Dan, who speaks fluent Spanish,
began teaching a weekly class for
them. In addition, he and Carole
Stone, Shalom San Miguel's president
in 2011, created a Spanish version of
our prayer book."
When these people were ready for
the final ceremonies to mark their
Jewish identity, three rabbis were
brought in to take charge.
This year's Purim festivities con-
sisted of costumed participants
enjoying dinner and reading the
Megillah in English, Hebrew and
Spanish.
The Soberman home welcomes
visitors including three children and
their families. Among the conve-
niences is a filter that allows them
to use tap water as they would in
America.
"All the restaurants have water