Mar 4, 2012 -- Havana, Cuba - Rabbi Schneier was joined on the interfaith mission by His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Athenagoras (Metropolitan of Mexico, Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople), Bishop Octavio Cisneros (Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn, Roman Catholic Church) and former U.S. Ambassador to Finland, Earle I. Mack. The delegation met with governmental officials, H.E. Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Ricardo Alarcon, President of the National Assembly, Ms. Caridad Diego del Rosario Bello, Director of Religious Affairs, as well as religious leaders, H.E. Cardinal Jaime Ortega, H.E. Archbishop Bruno Musarò, the Apostolic Nuncio of Cuba, and leaders of the Jewish community.

While in Havana, Rabbi Schneier was granted permission by the Cuban authorities to visit Alan Gross at the Military Hospital. Rabbi Schneier presented him with religious objects, the biblical Book of Esther, as well as some hamantaschen on the eve of Purim. “I found a man of faith, concerned about his family, hopeful and reassured that he has not been abandoned. Purim is a festival of miracles, and we pray that a miracle will allow us to see a resolution of the pain and suffering of all involved,’’ Rabbi Arthur Schneier said.