For Cuban Jews, improved ties to U.S. may not resolve central challenges

HAVANA (JTA)-On a recent Friday night inside this city’s Beth Shalom synagogue, Aliet Ashkenazi, 25, stood draped in a blue-and-white prayer shawl leading prayers in a mix of Spanish and near-perfect Hebrew. It was the first time she had ever led services-a feat considering she converted to Judaism seven years ago after discovering her father was J…