Luis

My name is Luis Sokol, and since 2013, I've been giving guided tours of the Justo Sierra 71 Historic Synagogue in downtown Mexico City and the old neighborhood of La Merced, where many of the first Jewish immigrants settled in the early 20th century. For me, these tours are a way to give back to the community I belong to and also an opportunity to share Judaism with others from a human and everyday perspective. Before being Jews, we are people: that's something I want to convey on every visit.
The tours combine history, architecture, and memory, but above all, they seek to spark a conversation. I'm deeply interested in how stories are told—the details, the silences, the emotions—and how the past can resonate in our present.
In addition to my work at the synagogue, I'm pursuing a PhD in Violence and Subjectivity Studies at El Colegio de Saberes, where I research topics such as desire, conflict, and social order, focusing on authors like Hegel, Benjamin, and René Girard. I also teach Spanish to people from different countries, something I enjoy because of the cultural exchange it fosters.

I have done several tours of Jewish communities around central and south America. This was without a doubt, the most comprehensive and well presented. Luis was excellent. His English was great and he was able to answer all my questions.
Fascinating and amazing history of the Jewish people in Mexico city. Made me even think about moving there.
Thanks again
Adam, USA
The tour with Luis was terrific —
He knew a lot, told engaging stories based on research (some of it yours!) and more stories based on his experience attending a Yiddish school that stopped teaching Yiddish at grade 3 and being part of the community.
He answered all questions with grace and wit.
Most important — he made the case that private tours help support the low/no cost tours of curious non-Jews on Sunday …
And I have sent word to our Jewish friends in SFO that they should have a tour.
Bob & Elaine
February 2019