By: Abe Wertenheim

In a moment of profound pride for Mexico’s Jewish community and the global Chabad movement, Rabbi Dudi Kaplan, the longtime Chabad emissary in Cozumel, has been officially appointed as the Chief Rabbi of the State of Quintana Roo. The appointment, announced just days before the annual Kinus HaShluchim (International Conference of Chabad Emissaries) in New York, has been hailed by Jewish leaders and local government officials as a historic milestone for Jewish life in Mexico.

Rabbi Kaplan’s appointment, endorsed by Quintana Roo’s state government and welcomed by the local Jewish community, marks the first time that the Mexican government has officially recognized a Chabad emissary as a state-level Chief Rabbi. The move underscores both the growth and the institutional strengthening of Jewish life in Mexico’s southeast—a region once known more for its beaches and tourism than for organized Jewish religious presence.

According to sources close to the decision, Mexican authorities praised Rabbi Kaplan’s years of service in Cozumel, his dedication to interfaith cooperation, and his community-building efforts that have extended beyond the Jewish population. Government representatives cited his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, his outreach to tourists and residents alike, and his commitment to educational and charitable initiatives as emblematic of the values the state seeks to promote.

For more than a decade, Rabbi Dudi Kaplan and his wife, Chani, have led the Chabad House on the island of Cozumel, providing a spiritual home for thousands of Jewish tourists, backpackers, and expatriates who pass through Mexico’s Caribbean coast each year. What began as a small operation serving travelers and local families has grown into a flourishing center of Jewish life, complete with Shabbat meals, Torah classes, and holiday celebrations that draw Jews from around the world.

Under Rabbi Kaplan’s guidance, Chabad of Cozumel became a regional hub for Jewish education and outreach, eventually inspiring the establishment of additional Chabad centers throughout the Yucatán Peninsula, including in Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.

Now, as Chief Rabbi of Quintana Roo, Rabbi Kaplan’s responsibilities will extend beyond his local community to encompass all Jewish religious, educational, and cultural affairs throughout the state. His appointment represents not only a personal achievement but also a broader recognition of the central role that Chabad Lubavitch plays in sustaining Jewish life in the diaspora.

The announcement was met with warm words of congratulations from both civic leaders and members of Mexico’s Jewish establishment. Representatives from the Jewish Community of Mexico City (Comunidad Judía de México) and the Central Committee for the Jewish Community in Mexico (Comité Central Israelita de México) praised the appointment as a “moment of great pride” and “a reflection of how Jewish life has taken root and flourished across the country.”

“Rabbi Kaplan’s leadership exemplifies the spirit of Jewish resilience and commitment,” said one senior community member. “His appointment is not only an honor for Chabad but for all of Mexican Jewry. It’s a testament to the strength of our community, our faith, and the values that unite us.”

Local officials in Quintana Roo echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Rabbi Kaplan’s contributions to social welfare, education, and interreligious dialogue. “He has built bridges between communities, promoted tolerance, and strengthened the moral fabric of our society,” one government representative told Tzaf Magazine, which first reported the story.

Situated along Mexico’s Caribbean coast, the state of Quintana Roo includes some of the country’s most famous destinations—Cancún, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum—making it a magnet for tourism and international investment. For years, Jewish visitors from the United States, Israel, and Europe have flocked to the region, often unaware of the thriving Jewish infrastructure quietly developing there.

Thanks to Chabad’s efforts, Jewish life in the area is now more vibrant than ever. Kosher food options, synagogues, and Jewish holiday programs have proliferated, providing comfort and community to travelers and residents alike. Rabbi Kaplan’s appointment formalizes what many already knew: that Quintana Roo has become a cornerstone of Jewish continuity and outreach in Latin America.

“The presence of Jewish life in a place once considered far from the centers of Jewish civilization shows how the Rebbe’s vision—of reaching every Jew, in every place—continues to unfold before our eyes,” said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, CEO and Co-Founder of Nefesh B’Nefesh, who congratulated Rabbi Kaplan on behalf of the organization’s global leadership network.

For Rabbi Kaplan, the appointment is less about recognition than about responsibility. Those close to him describe a leader who sees his mission in spiritual rather than political terms. “He views this not as a position of prestige but as a platform for greater service—to the Jewish people, to God, and to humanity,” said one fellow Chabad emissary in Mexico.

His leadership style reflects the core Chabad philosophy: Ahavat Yisrael—love for every Jew, regardless of background or affiliation. Whether welcoming cruise passengers for Shabbat dinner, guiding young travelers through moments of spiritual awakening, or supporting locals in times of need, Rabbi Kaplan has become known for his warmth, humility, and steadfast faith.

In interviews over the years, he has often spoken about his guiding principle: that “no Jew should ever feel alone, no matter where in the world they are.” His new role gives him a broader stage to continue that mission.

Beyond its local implications, Rabbi Kaplan’s appointment carries symbolic weight for Jewish communities throughout Latin America. It reflects a growing recognition among governments that Jewish institutions—particularly those affiliated with Chabad Lubavitch—play a vital role in social welfare, education, and interfaith cooperation.

It also highlights the ongoing transformation of Latin American Jewish life—from insular and centralized to outward-looking and globally connected. Today, Mexico boasts more than a dozen Chabad centers, each serving as a microcosm of Jewish continuity and cultural diplomacy.

“Rabbi Kaplan’s appointment as Chief Rabbi of Quintana Roo is a triumph not only for Mexico’s Jews but for every community that strives to maintain its identity while contributing to the broader society,” noted an editorial in Tzaf Magazine. “It reminds us that Jewish life flourishes not through isolation but through engagement, empathy, and unwavering dedication to the divine mission of bringing light to the world.”

As Rabbi Kaplan prepares to assume his expanded duties, plans are already underway to enhance Jewish educational programming, expand kosher infrastructure, and develop new partnerships with civic and cultural institutions throughout Quintana Roo.

In his acceptance remarks, Rabbi Kaplan reportedly expressed gratitude to the Mexican government, the local Jewish community, and the global Chabad movement. “This appointment is not mine alone,” he said. “It belongs to every Jew who has prayed, built, and dreamed of a Jewish future here in Mexico.”

Indeed, his appointment is both a culmination and a beginning—a testament to decades of quiet perseverance and a beacon for the next generation of Jewish leaders in Latin America.

For now, Quintana Roo celebrates not only its new Chief Rabbi but the enduring truth that has guided Jewish life for millennia: that faith, dedication, and unity can turn even the most distant islands into sanctuaries of light.