Inspirational Spanish Women’s Retreat Kicks Off in Panama City

Nearly 100 Jewish women from fifteen Latin-American countries touched down in Panama City today for the start of the first-ever Spanish-speaking women’s retreat, an inspirational weekend organized by the Spanish Desk at Merkos 302.

The weekend opened at the beautiful Bet El Synagogue with registration, where guests received their name tags and welcome bags, before inspirational greetings from Head Shliach and Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Ari Laine and his wife, Rebbetzin Fradel. A relaxed dinner followed, setting the tone for connection and camaraderie, as an ice-breaker activity quickly filled the room with laughter and introductions.

The first workshop, “Cuidarte para Cuidar” (“Care for Yourself so You Can Care for Others”), gave participants tools to nurture their own spiritual and emotional well-being so they can better inspire others, laying the groundwork for deeper conversations over the coming days.

“The Rebbe emphasized the unique power women have to uplift their environment,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, executive director of Merkos 302. “This retreat provides a space for like-minded women to connect in their native language, learn from one another, and return home with renewed clarity and strength to uplift their families and everyone around them.”

The retreat—spearheaded by longtime Espanol Desk director at Merkos 302, Chai Kohan—marks a new chapter in Spanish-language engagement, reflecting a growing demand for tailored spiritual programming across the Jewish community.