Since its inception more than one hundred years ago, the Jewish community in Mexico has grown into one of the strongest and most highly affiliated in the Diaspora. The National Library’s archival collections are home to the records and reinventions of Jewish life in Mexico over the last hundred years. This vast body of material offers a kaleidoscopic view of the layered experiences of a uniquely diverse community.
From clandestine conversos in the colonial era to today’s vibrant mosaic of Ashkenazi, Sephardic, and Middle Eastern congregations, Mexico’s Jewish community was forged by Jews of different origins and following different paths: some arrived fleeing persecution, others came seeking opportunity, still others envisioned Mexico only as a way station en route to the United States.
Modern Jewish life in Mexico began to take shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with immigration from Europe and the Ottoman Empire. The first organized Jewish community was founded on August 18, 1912 to raise funds and secure land for a Jewish cemetery—an act that marked both communal continuity and new beginnings.
In the decades that followed, Jewish migrants from across Europe and the Middle East established schools, synagogues, and cultural centers that reflected their distinct traditions. At the same time, inter-community institutions emerged to strengthen the community as a whole.
Jewish life in Mexico has evolved significantly since its institutionalization in 1912. Over the years, synagogues, schools, cultural and social centers, sports facilities, Zionist organizations, and youth movements were established to expand and empower the country’s Jewish community.
The archives of the National Library of Israel include minute books, official correspondence, reports, yearbooks, membership lists, minutes of board meetings, invitations, and other relevant documents that provide a detailed picture of Mexico’s Jewish communities and institutions.
Aaron Cohen with his wife Tova and their children, visiting Israel.
Members of the Sasson, Ashkenazi, and Agami families celebrating a wedding in Mexico.
Members of an Israeli family who migrated to Mexico.
Members of the Meyohas family on a Mexican beach.
Foundation stone of an IDF building donated by the Feldman family of Mexico.
Official visit of Mexican President Luis Echeverría to Israel.
A Mexican Jewish journalist interviews Prime Minister Menachem Begin in Israel.
Association of Israeli Industrialists at a collaborative meeting with their Mexican counterparts.
The capital city of the Mexican kingdom called Mexico (1759)
A map of North America by Mousieur Sanson, geographer to the French king (1669)
Delineation of the Mexican port of Vera Cruz (1669)
Geo-hydrographic map of the Gulf of Mexico (1785)
Screening of sports documentaries – Mexico 1968 Olympic Games
Presentation by Mira Arnon.
Mexican photo and art gallery
1966 advertisement for the screening of the documentary entitled “Mexico”.
By Juan Rulfo
By Carlos Fuentes
By Miguel Leon-Portilla
By Octavio Paz
