JC3/CHESMA A.C. is a non-denominational
Jewish Cultural Community Center.
As a JC (Jewish Center) we aren’t a synagogue, yet along with our many enriching activities, we act as a home to religious and spiritual groups.
KSSMA, Kehilla Shalom San Miguel de Allende, is a traditional Conservative egalitarian minyan group that meets weekly and on many holidays in JC3/CHESMA. Most KSSMA services are tri-lingual, with Hebrew prayers and both English and Spanish used throughout. Women and LGBTQ+ members are full participants and may lead services. KSSMA is a member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism of North America.
If you are interested in a religious experience the we do not currently offer, please click here to email us or call (415) 185-9191.
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Although KSSMA does not have rabbinical leadership, rabbis of various denominations visit and may officiate at lifecycle events including weddings and Bar or Bat Mitzvahs and others.
Rabbi Juan Pablo Mejía Restrepo of Oklahoma City, OK, graciously serves as the honorary rabbi of KSSMA.
In addition to having visiting rabbis perform marriages, KSSMA’s Shaliach Tzibbur (prayer leader), Dan Lessner, has performed wedding ceremonies. If you are interested in having a Jewish or ‘Jewish-style’ wedding in San Miguel de Allende, please click here to email us or call (415) 185-9191.
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The birth of a child is a time of joy. JC3/CHESMA hosts brit milah (ritual circumcisions) for boys and baby-naming ceremonies for girls to welcome the newborn into the Jewish community.
Mohelim, individuals who do ritual circumcisions are available from Mexico City.
We offer bar and bat mitzvah classes and services. Parents can arrange for classes to begin at least 6 months, or preferably one year, prior to the ceremony date. Please click here to email us or call (415) 185-9191.
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Members have access to the only consecrated Jewish cemetery in el Bajio and the Chevra Kadisha (Jewish Burial Society).
Judaism requires that one extend dignity to all persons after their physical demise. The Chevra Kadisha, literally ‘Holy Fellowship’, is a Jewish burial Society composed of JC3/CHESMA volunteers who carry out the final rites with chesed shel emet, ‘true loving kindness.’
To learn more about or join our Chevra Kadisha, contact Dan Lessner at: eldoctordaniel@hotmail.com
Religious Service schedules can be found in our calendar of events.
The Rabbinical Assembly (Conservative Judaism's international association of rabbis) sets acceptable policies for its members, including interpretation of halachot (Jewish law). As associate members of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Kehilla Shalom San Miguel de Allende (KSSMA) is expected to follow these guidelines to maintain our standing in the organization.
