Montevideo, Uruguay — In Uruguay, cows outnumber people five to one. Half of the South American nation's more than 3 million people live outside of its capital city, Montevideo, scattered across some 68,000 square miles. It counts as one of the least densely populated countries in the world.
Where Cows Outnumber People, Roving Rabbis Reach Out to Uruguayís Jews
Montevideo, Uruguay — In Uruguay, cows outnumber people five to one. Half of the South American nation’s more than 3 million people live outside of its capital city, Montevideo, scattered across some 68,000 square miles. It counts as one of the least densely populated countries in the world.
It’s Jewish population, as well, is small, scattered and largely unaffiliated. In short, reaching out to them in their rural hamlets was the quintessential “Roving Rabbis” mission.
This summer, two rabbinical students traveled from town to town under the aegis of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, the educational arm of Chabad-Lubavitch, in search of Uruguay’s Jews. They taught them a little Torah, helped them put up mezuzahs, donned tefillin with them, distributed Shabbat candles and, most importantly, strengthened their connection with their heritage.
“You people make me feel proud,” said Marcos Gerestenbluth, speaking in broken English about the traveling emissaries. “When the rabbis come to visit, it is the best.”
proud
Chabad!