The Jews of Sao Paulo Brazil

Sao Paulo does not have a Chief Rabbinate and there is no recognized Orthodox conversion in Brazil. For many decades a single, overpriced butcher held a monopoly on all kosher meat. In 1990, at the initiative of the Jewish Federation and under the supervision of Orthodox rabbis, kosher meat began to be sold at reasonable prices in major supermarkets in the city. Some 21 different synagogues are affiliated with the Jewish Federation, while a number of organizations also have their own synagogues, and yet others are unaffiliated. Within this varied group one can see an interesting variety of religious manifestations. Beit Chabad has four synagogues, a monthly magazine, book editions in Portuguese, a summer camp, children's club (Tsivot HaShem), and youth group.