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Common Ground•s 39th Annual
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Jews gather In Paco's Gallery courtyard in Puerto Vallarta for Shabbat services.
Finding Family
Puerto Vallarta gallery hosts
Shabbat services during winter.
Jeannie Weiner
Special to the Jewish News
0
ver several decades of travel-
ing to Mexico, I have attend-
ed Jewish services in Mexico
City and Acapulco, but never in Puerto
Vallarta. This year was the exception,
and the experience was exceptional.
When the Friday night services
began, it was 80 degrees with a per-
fectly clear blue sky. Participants gath-
ered in the back courtyard of Paco's
Gallery in the Old Town neighborhood
in downtown Puerto Vallarta. The gal-
lery, behind an enormous banyan tree,
is owned by Frank "Paco" Rudin and
his wife, Gail Winston.
After walking through the gallery,
congregants find themselves outside
with tall walls and a colorful mural
as backdrop. This particular Friday
night in March, the patio was nearly
filled with 80 American and Canadian
tourists, residents of Puerto Vallarta
and Mexican Jews from various cities,
including Guadalajara.
Homemade binders served as prayer
books in English and Hebrew. The
men grabbed black yarmulkes from
a crate. Challah, wine and Sabbath
candles were on a small table facing
us. This was the third service held at
Paco's this year.
These services began about three
years ago when the Rudins were asked
if the courtyard could be used for
Sabbath services. A mailing was sent
and about 25 people came.
Since then, Bill Trachtenberg, a
surgeon from the New York area, leads
the service with participation from
guests and other lay leaders. Bill's
wife, Pauline, serves as caterer. An
astounding array of goodies are offered
after services. Frequent travelers to
Mexico are amazed to see bagels with
cream cheese and lox. Additionally, a
large table is spread with homemade
pastries and wonderful fresh Mexican
fruit.
What brings Jews to Banderas Bay
in Mexico? Beautiful weather, the crys-
tal blue Pacific Ocean, the friendliness
and warmth of the Mexican people,
fresh food, glorious flowers and low
prices for almost everything. The
once-sleepy town known for housing
Liz Taylor and Richard Burton during
the filming of Night of the Iguana is
now a major resort area of Mexico.
Most visiting Jews in Puerto Vallarta
are just learning about the newly orga-
nized Jewish community.
After services, Paco's owners are
enthusiastic. "People really love the ser-
vice," says Gail.
"And," adds Frank, "there's no mem-
bership fee:'
Sabbath services are held once a
month during the winter months. A
Passover seder with kosher food attracts
a large number of people who gather at a
downtown restaurant, the Riverside Cafe.
The monthly service draws Jews
who grew up in traditional homes and
those who have had little Jewish insti-
tutional experience. One family rents a
room in a downtown hotel so they can
walk to Paco's.
David and Candy Cutner of
Southfield attended the services in
February. "We learned of the services
through word of mouth at the pool at
our resort. We were so excited to go
that we took two buses to get there.
More than 150 Jews came to the ser-
vice. Standing room only. We were so
proud and honored to attend:'
Many of the Jews living in Puerto
Vallarta said the service allows them
the opportunity to gather together
to celebrate the Sabbath and to meet
other Jews.
If you're there in the winter months,
check out services at Paco's Gallery at
512 Veustiano Carranza. Phone: (322)
222-8168.
❑
BirminghamStreetArtFair.com
Sept. 21 & 22
Saturday, 10am - 6pm • Sunday, 10am - 5pm
On Old Woodward in downtown Birmingham
Featuring the Annual Art Auction to benefit Common Ground
presented by
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Ground
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September 12 • 2013
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