Who we are
Kol Shearith Israel
Kol Shearith Israel was founded on May 14, 1876 in Panama City, primarily by Sephardic Jewish families from the Caribbean islands of Curaçao, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Thomas and Jamaica. Today, our congregation, made up of approximately 225 families, brings together Jews from more than 20 countries.
We are a progressive Jewish community, with a modern vision of tradition, religious, educational, cultural and social activities of excellence, a proud, growing and committed membership; successfully integrated and respected in Panamanian society since our foundation.
We are part of the Panamanian Jewish Congress, to which our partner organizations also belong:
- Sisterhood KSI, a women's organization, founded in 1932
- Isaac Rabin College, founded in 2000
- Noar, a youth organization, founded in 2006
- Carlos Zelenka Lodge of B'nai B'rith, founded in 2011



We have a full Jewish life, in terms of the celebration of Shabbat and holidays, as well as the rituals of the cycle of life. We have study spaces for children, youth and adults, and cultural and social activities to enrich the lives of our members.
We have many very significant traditions. We can mention some of them:
Yom Kippur
On Yom Kippur, during the memorial service(Izkor) with the entire congregation present, it is customary to mention the names of the relatives of members who have passed away.
Simchat Torah
On Simchat Torah, after the dances with the Torah(Hakafot), and before its reading, we are accustomed to fully unroll a Torah scroll.
We have a community center of approximately 2000 m2 with a main and a small synagogue, classrooms, event rooms, kitchen, offices, among others.
MISSION
Developing Jewish community life:
- Accompanying our members through the cycles of life and the year.
- Ensuring efficient and sustainable management.
- Strengthening continuous and timely communication.
- Encouraging the integration and commitment of current and future members.
- Promoting and training motivated volunteers.
- Raising the necessary funds to guarantee the development of the community.
VISION
A Jewish community with a modern vision of tradition, religious, educational, cultural and social activities of excellence, a proud, growing and committed membership; successfully integrated and respected in Panamanian society.


VALUES (ARACHIM)
- Solidarity actions to our members and the community.
- Respect and dignity.
- Warm and familiar atmosphere.
- Traditional and modern Judaism.
- Jewish identity.
- Proud and committed membership.
First synagogue on Cuba Avenue


KOL SHEARITH ISRAEL ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF JEWISH LIFE IN PANAMA 1876-1976 First Chapters: Our Origins
Forty-five years ago, on May 14, 1976, our congregation Kol Shearith Israel celebrated 100 years since its founding. To commemorate this important date, the community leaders of the time published an impressive book, Kol Shearith Israel 100 years of Jewish life in Panama 1876-1976, which narrates its history in great detail.in which their history is narrated in great detail.
This important book was written almost half a century ago and had a rather limited circulation, which is why in the year 2021 the first four chapters were republished, with the subtitle First Chapters: Our Origins, since this is where the history of the founding families from their expulsion from Spain to the founding of the congregation in 1876 is recorded.