Bernardo Benes
Encyclopedia
Dr. Bernardo Benes Baikowitz (born 27 December 1934 in Matanzas
, Cuba
) is a prominent Jewish Cuban lawyer, banker, journalist and civic leader, who was responsible for freeing 3,600 Cuban political prisoners in 1978.
Dr. Benes graduated as an attorney and CPA from the University of Havana
and was member of the law firm “Bufete Zaydin”. While in Cuba, he was the pro-bono attorney of the “Patronato de la Casa de la Comunidad de Cuba” (the largest synagogue
and community center) in Cuba and was the legal consultant to the Cuban Treasury Department.
In 1960, Dr. Benes went into exile to Miami where he became a banker. He co-founded the Cuban Hebrew Congregation
on Miami Beach in 1961. In 1974, he co-founded the first Cuban-American bank in the United States, Continental National Bank of Miami. In 1977, he founded United Way International
(he was Vice-President of United Way in Miami-Dade County from 1965–1977). From 1962 to 1974 he was Vice-President of Washington Federal Savings and Loan Association, housing consultant to USAID, IDB
(Interamerican Development Bank) and the United Nations
.
In 1978, he became the first prominent Cuban exile to meet with Fidel Castro
and was able to get the release of 3,600 political prisoners out of Cuba. He was given an Honorary Doctoral Degree in Human Relations in 1968 from Biscayne College (now St. Thomas University). In 1969, the Republic of Panama
awarded him The Vasco Nunez the Balboa condecoration for his humanitarian contributions and in 1979, the order of the Vatican Condecoration for Human Rights. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Miami
. His papers from 1956-1987 are held by the Cuban Heritage Collection of the University of Miami Libraries.
Matanzas
Matanzas is the capital of the Cuban province of Matanzas. It is famed for its poets, culture, and Afro-Cuban folklore.It is located on the northern shore of the island of Cuba, on the Bay of Matanzas , east of the capital Havana and west of the resort town of Varadero.Matanzas is called the...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
) is a prominent Jewish Cuban lawyer, banker, journalist and civic leader, who was responsible for freeing 3,600 Cuban political prisoners in 1978.
Dr. Benes graduated as an attorney and CPA from the University of Havana
University of Havana
The University of Havana or UH is a university located in the Vedado district of Havana, Cuba. Founded in 1728, the University of Havana is the oldest university in Cuba, and one of the first to be founded in the Americas...
and was member of the law firm “Bufete Zaydin”. While in Cuba, he was the pro-bono attorney of the “Patronato de la Casa de la Comunidad de Cuba” (the largest synagogue
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
and community center) in Cuba and was the legal consultant to the Cuban Treasury Department.
In 1960, Dr. Benes went into exile to Miami where he became a banker. He co-founded the Cuban Hebrew Congregation
Cuban Hebrew Congregation
Temple Beth Shmuel or "Cuban Hebrew Congregation of Miami" is a synagogue used by Ashkenazi Jewish Cuban expatriates in Miami Beach, Florida. The synagogue was founded in 1961 and its current location opened in 1975, with an expansion in 1982. The congregation is led by Rabbi Richard S. Chizever...
on Miami Beach in 1961. In 1974, he co-founded the first Cuban-American bank in the United States, Continental National Bank of Miami. In 1977, he founded United Way International
United Way International
United Way Worldwide is the leadership and support organization for the network of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 45 countries and territories. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all, by focusing on education, income and health...
(he was Vice-President of United Way in Miami-Dade County from 1965–1977). From 1962 to 1974 he was Vice-President of Washington Federal Savings and Loan Association, housing consultant to USAID, IDB
IDB
IDB can mean:* Inter-American Development Bank, also known as IADB* IDB Communications Group, Inc., a constituent of MCI Inc.* Illegal Diamond Buying, the term used at the turn of the 19th-20th century for diamond trading outside the De Beers cartel....
(Interamerican Development Bank) and the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
.
In 1978, he became the first prominent Cuban exile to meet with Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
and was able to get the release of 3,600 political prisoners out of Cuba. He was given an Honorary Doctoral Degree in Human Relations in 1968 from Biscayne College (now St. Thomas University). In 1969, the Republic of Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
awarded him The Vasco Nunez the Balboa condecoration for his humanitarian contributions and in 1979, the order of the Vatican Condecoration for Human Rights. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
. His papers from 1956-1987 are held by the Cuban Heritage Collection of the University of Miami Libraries.