Jewish immigration to Latin America began with seven Jewish sailors landing on Caribbean shores with Columbus in 1492. And though many Jews fleeing persecution on the Iberian Peninsula had migrated to the New World by the 1600s, few people would think to find Orthodox communities thriving in Latin America in the 2020s. 

Yet in Panama City, five Orthodox synagogues hold daily minyanim and shiurim, multiple mikvahs serve a growing population, and a kollel provides advanced Torah learning for around 15,000 Jews.  

Over 85% of Panama’s Jewish community keeps kosher, a rate you don’t easily see in American communities. Panama has become one of the strongest Orthodox communities outside Israel and the United States. How did this community happen in a country where most people couldn’t locate the Jewish quarter on a map just two decades ago?

A Political and Economic Exodus to Panama

The answer lies in successive waves of Jewish immigration driven by economic collapse and political instability across Latin America. The 1990s and 2000s brought Jews to Panama from Colombia, Venezuela, and Argentina, fleeing currency devaluations, hyperinflation, and rising antisemitism in their home countries. 

Venezuelan Jews, in particular, found Panama’s dollarized economy and political stability irresistible after watching their savings evaporate during Venezuela’s economic meltdown.

Panama offered what other Latin American destinations could do less and less: safety and stability for Jewish families. 

Panama has had two Jewish presidents and experiences virtually no antisemitism, allowing Jews to wear kippot and other religious garb without concern. For Jewish families who weren’t happy with the available options in terms of South American countries that were actually safe, Panama’s combination of economic opportunity and social tolerance proved a strong attraction.

Building an Orthodox Community in Paradise

More than a last holdout in the Latin world, the Orthodox community in Panama has accomplished a remarkable renaissance. Thirty kosher restaurants operate in Panama City, with non-Jewish locals making reservations weeks in advance at some.

Multiple mikvahs serve different communities, while yeshivas provide education from elementary through advanced kollel levels. The community’s commitment to kashrut has transformed Panama’s food industry, with local suppliers now maintaining kosher certification to serve this growing market. Two large kosher supermarkets stock goods from imported Israeli products to locally-sourced kosher meat, while specialized bakeries and catering services handle everything from weekday lunches to elaborate wedding celebrations.

This infrastructure is met with residential development to accommodate the growing community. New high-rise towers in Jewish neighborhoods include Shabbat elevators, with Jewish developers building buildings within walking distance of synagogues. Punta Paitilla and Punta Pacifica have become so densely Jewish that you’ll have a hard time finding non-Jewish residents on Shabbat.

“What I’ve noticed across expat communities is that those with non-negotiable practices, whether religious, dietary, or cultural, often build the strongest foundations. Clear priorities push people to either seek out or create the infrastructure they need. It’s a powerful driver for forming cohesive, resilient communities – even far from home,” explains Karsten Aichholz, founder of ExpatDen, a site that provides expat guidance. 

The Chabad Effect: Expanding Beyond Panama City

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Panama’s Jewish revival, its geographic reach extends beyond the capital. Chabad of Boquete serves the mountain town’s growing population of North American retirees and Israeli expats, providing kosher meals, holiday celebrations, and regular Torah classes in a setting that feels like a Colorado ski resort.

Rabbi Yakov and Hana Poliwoda moved to Boquete in 2016, initially commuting 300 miles from Panama City to conduct programs before establishing a permanent presence. Their new center includes a prayer room, kosher kitchen, and multipurpose spaces that serve both permanent residents and the steady stream of Jewish tourists discovering Panama’s interior.

The Boquete initiative shows that Panama’s Jews are creating new outposts in previously untouched areas. For families considering international moves but with travel safety considerations, the success of communities like Boquete demonstrates that with proper planning and community support, Orthodox Jewish life can flourish in the most unexpected places, creating vibrant kehillot where none existed before.