“ma'asei avot simon l'banim”

"The deeds of the fathers

are a sign for the children"

 Joseph Abraham Shehebar

In 1948, with his wife and young children, Joseph Shehebar fled from Egypt's oppressive conditions towards Jews. He was the first one in his large family to immigrate to a new world, leaving behind his extended family and a successful business. Because he was unable to enter the USA, he was destined to wait 10 years in Cuba for a visa.

In Cuba he had to start all over again with the great difficulty of a new language and foreign customs. With a minute Jewsih population at the time, Joseph went the extra mile to provide his famliy a life of kashruth and Torah, even where it didn't exist. After years of hard work, he established a prosperous export business which enabled him to bring his older brother and his family from Egypt. Subsequently, he helped all his siblings leave. He was truly instrumental for their well being, setting them up with a workplace and a home.

Known as SouSou by his friends and family, he was always the life of the party. A sensitive and loving father, he leaves a legacy of many grandchildren and great grandchildren. While many may not have known about this man who passed away before his time, his deeds have transcended time and space and are ever so apparent by the acts of his wife, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

            Joseph Abraham Shehebar was a true man of modesty who never sought praise or gratitude, and only did things for the right reasons.