Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina
Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina is a Jewish Community Centre located in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Main building of the AMIA, 2012
History of the Jews in Argentina
The history of the Jews in Argentina goes back to the early sixteenth century, following the Jewish expulsion from Spain. Sephardi Jews fleeing persecution immigrated with explorers and colonists to settle in what is now Argentina, in spite of being forbidden from travelling to the American colonies. In addition, many of the Portuguese traders in the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata were Jewish. An organized Jewish community, however, did not develop until after Argentina gained independence from Spain in 1816. By mid-century, Jews from France and other parts of Western Europe, fleeing the social and economic disruptions of revolutions, began to settle in Argentina.
Central Synagogue of Buenos Aires.
Baron Maurice de Hirsch (1831–1896)
Interior of the Gran Templo Paso synagogue, Buenos Aires
Pianist Martha Argerich