Sumiko Zayon

A black and white photo of a woman with shoulder-length hair facing the camera.

Sumiko Zayon (she/her) is a Miami-based Jewish professional and mother of two. She recently served as the Youth Engagement Director at Temple Beth Am, Miami and has now taken on the role of Program Manager, Community and Jewish Life at the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). Originally from Cuba, Sumiko has dedicated over a decade to the Cuban Jewish Community and holds a master's degree in organizational leadership and Innovation from the Zelikow School of Jewish Nonprofit at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR). Her work embodies her deep commitment to the Jewish community and nurturing the next generation.

Three people standing while one of them holds a Torah with a red cover

Roots in Cuba: A Journey of Identity

Sumiko Zayon
Before Fidel Castro's rise to power in 1959, Cuba was home to over 15,000 Jews. However, by the time I was born in 1988, that number had dwindled to approximately 1,500. For most Jews, Cuba had become a transit point on their way to the United States. Nevertheless, a few families, like mine, chose to remain. When he rose to power, Castro imposed restrictions on religious practices. Although these policies were not specifically aimed at Jews, we were still negatively impacted. My mother and Aunt Lulu would whisper "Ma’oz Tzur," share stories of the Hanukkah gifts from Abuelo Abraham, and tell us about the delicious apple walnut charoset their Bobbe used to make. My sister recently reminded me that we used to ask Mami: "If that charoset is so delicious, why don’t we make it?"