| About the Club |
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Welcome to the "Centro Cultural Hebreo de Beneficencia"
Foundation
The Centro Cultural Hebreo de Beneficencia had its origins in the mid 1940's. Around 1938 the Panamenian Jewish Youth was organized under the name of "Sociedad Israelita Macabi de Panama". Mr. David E. Acrich understood the urgency of having adecuate facilities for gatherings of the jewish youth, and was then, on January 28th of 1946 when a house in San Francisco de la Caleta, thus was born the Club del Mar.
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Beginnings
Initially, the young people were responsible for managing and settling the property but, over time, the club became a meeting place for youth and adults, where members attended every Sunday. The venue was hosting regular meetings and was the seat of religious and social events. Over the years, the Club failed to meet the needs of a community that was growing. The community, comprised mostly by families from the Middle East, had matured and prospered thanks to the efforts of our religious leader, Grand Rabbi Zion Levy. Towards 1960 formed the first Remodeling Committee, chaired by Don Ramon Homsany, and a year later the name of Club Del Mar was changed to give the new name tha it is used today. The aim of the new organization was "to cultivate, maintain and promote social relations, cultural, religious and sports; maintain all those facilities that provide a healthy entertainment to the community."
In 1961 the Grand Rabbi Sion Levy placed the first stone of CCHB, a centre for social and cultural activities, and for meeting new Jewish organizations like the Wizo, Maccabi, B'nai B'rith, among others.
Remodeling
Despite the inconveniences and disagreements, the idea of the reshuffle was carried out by a committee led by Don Isaac Silvera. The effort, generosity and work of Don Teofilo Haffeitz, among many other community members, were instrumental in carrying out the project. Despite the crisis and national and community after a long wait, in 1988, the administrative committee of CCHP, then chaired by Don Jacobo Sofer, took the decision to inaugurate the Club on December 11 of that year, the last day of Hanukkah. Since then the Club has been a source of pride for the community for its great beauty with a strong and united community, full of life and Jewish values. What was a seed planted 60 years ago out of love for the children of that time, today is a reality that we enjoy with all those children who today are our grandparents.
- Director Manager - Mr. Boaz Dorfman
Directly from Israel, with a wide experience and impressive resume, Mr. Dorfman arrives to lift the club and bring back the spirit to this place so significant. Mr. Dorfman, that believes in hard work and the importance of small details, working every day to build a strong team, teaching and guiding from his experience in order to provide a service in the highest standards for the community.
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Executive Chef - Chef Shlomi Ben-Eli
This is a story of a man that came all the way to panama with his family (wife & two kids) after years of studies & creation in Israel & several other places around the world. This is a story of a man that came here & brought his inspired point of view and his different fresh touch to the kosher food the club supplies. This is a story of a man that promises you a change, if you will just come with an open mind. Meet Chef Shlomi Ben-Eli, the new purchase that stands in the middle of the continual makeover of the club hebreo.
He acquired some of his knowledge while practicing at
Charlie Trotter´s Chef Restaurant in Chicago & at the French pastry “Crème
de la Crème” in London that specialized and is known for its special creativity
with Kosher products. During the years he worked as an executive chef of two of
the most known hotels in Israel – “Yearot Ha´Carmel” & “Metzudat David”
& served as the chef of Hotel “Isrotel Agamim” in Eilat & as the chef
of the “Brasserie” which is known as one of the most famous gourmet restaurants
in Israel.
According to his vision, the main idea is to bring a new spirit that combines new flavors with the old familiar ones and presented in a new creative modern way. His inspiration changes from day to day what provides a wider selection of flavors & creativity, but also asks the clients to come with an open mind. Chef Shlomi believes that you have to work hard to achieve your goals & you can be sure that now with the club´s last addition, simple is never enough…
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Playground
Children have at the club the opportunity to have fun in a park designed for self-entertainment. It has handrails, swings, game web, passageways and many other activities which may spend an afternoon very active and fun. In addition, we have activities aimed for children between 2 and 6 years old, from Monday to Thursday, where they will learn something different every day, enjoying to play with other jewish children their age.
Soccer and Basketball courts
Aimed at our children and youth, we have modern courts for soccer and basketball, where your children will have the option to learn these sports with other children their age, in a stadium exclusively for them, led by a teacher with extensive experience and great handling of children and youth. If you are interested in classes for soccer or basketball or if you want to use the stadium for one of your events, please contact us.
