Congregação Israelita Paulista

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Congregação Israelita Paulista (CIP), the São Paulo Israelite Congregation in São Paulo, is the largest synagogue in Latin America, serving more than 350,000 people. Established in 1936 by a group of refugees from Nazi Germany, it is a Reform synagogue, but also has ties with the Conservative movement.

The rabbinate of the congregation that follows the liberal movements of Judaism (although not only affiliated to the Reform Movement, but also affiliated to the Conservative Movement), - is currently composed by rabbis Henry Sobel (president of the rabbinate), Yehuda Busquila and Michel Schlesinger, including the assistant to the rabbinate, Uri Lam, who has plans to initiate his studies to eventually be ordained as a rabbi in the near future. There are also the chazanim (cantors) Avi Bursztein and Alexandre Edelstein.

Because CIP is known for being the largest Jewish congregation in Latin America, in membership, they promote a diverse number of activities: religious services, Jewish study groups, informal Jewish school, choir, activities for senior citizens, fields of study, youth groups (Chazit Hanoar), Boy Scouts (in Avanhandava), distinguishing itself positively in São Paulo's Jewish community which is estimated at sixty thousand Jews.