Sephardim

Hacham Zvi Ashkenazi: Anomaly of a religious scholar

The combination of his highly developed scruples, stubbornness, and independence contributed to the difficulty that he had in holding down official rabbinic positions.

 INTERIOR OF Amsterdam’s Sephardi synagogue, the Esnoga, by Romeyn de Hooghe, 1695.
 CASTLE OF CALATRAVA. Garcia discovered that his Judaizing family lived under the protection of the Knights of Calatrava, near Almagro in the Spanish province of Ciudad Real, for 500 years, thus avoiding discovery by the Inquisition.

The forced converts of the Inquisition: Rediscovering Spanish, Portuguese roots - interview

 GABRIEL GUALÁN MALDONADO (left), president of Ecuador’s Sephardi History Cultural Center, seen here with his family, spoke to the ‘Post’ about the lives of Ecuador’s Bnei Anusim and their rediscovery of their Jewish faith.

The Crypto-Jews of Ecuador: Exploring Loja’s Jewish past and future

 IN ‘THE STORY of the Jews: Belonging,’ Simon Schama shows us that in order to understand history – and those figures we revere or despise – we must constantly dig deeper into what we do not know as well as what we already believe we know.

It's our responsibility as Jews to revisit, educate ourselves on our own history - opinion


'The 2,000 Kidnapped Spanish Jewish Children’ film honors families of October 7 hostages

The documentary outlines how 2,000 Jewish children were sent to the hostile island of São Tomé after the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492.

 Stills from the film 'The 2,000 Kidnapped Spanish Jewish Children.'

Jewish museum of Porto hosts 1,000 students on historic anniversary

Students explored Portugal’s Jewish heritage at the Jewish Museum of Porto, marking the 1496 Expulsion Edict.

Teenagers visiting the wall of names of victims of the Inquisition from Oporto.

'Throw them in the toilet': Yitzhak Yosef urges students to 'tear up' draft orders

"What do we have without our Torah? Why did we come here—to become secular? If a draft notice arrives, tear it up. Do you have a toilet at home? Flush it down,” Yosef said.

 Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef during a shaharit prayer in the northern Israeli city of Tzfat, September 17, 2024.

Bridging Histories: New WJC exhibition celebrates Sephardi history, heritage and contributions

"Sephardi Heritage is Jewish Heritage," says Rabbi Isaac Choua, of Lebanese origins, who oversees the exhibition, promoted as part of Sephardi Heritage Month.

Part of the exhibit.

'Across So Many Seas': Sephardi history from young adults - review

Ruth Behar tells the stories of four generations of 12-year-old Sephardi girls in a single family over a 500-year period. Music, poetry, and food all play significant roles in the interwoven stories.

 'Auto de fe en la plaza Mayor de Madrid,' painted by Francisco Rizzi, 1680.

Rabbi David Yosef chosen as Israel's Sephardic chief rabbi

Position for Ashkenazi role sees tie • New round of votes not yet set

 Rabbi David Yosef.

The unsung Sephardi pioneers who built Jerusalem and beyond - opinion

Learn about the forgotten Sephardi pioneers who played a crucial role in building modern Israel, long before the First Aliyah.

 A MURAL shows Aharon Chelouche, far left, who founded Neveh Tzedek, with Shimon Rokach, center, in the foreground, and Haim Amzalak dressed as British vice-consul. On the right is Zerah Barnett, who also contributed to Neveh Tzedek’s founding.

Silvio Santos, legendary Jewish Brazilian TV host and media mogul, dies at 93

Silvio Santos, Brazil’s top TV personality and media mogul, passed away at 93. Known for his Jewish pride and philanthropy, Santos left a lasting legacy.

 Brazil's most famous TV personality and host of various game shows Silvio Santos waves to the crowd from atop his float for the 'Tradicao' samba school during a late-evening parade at the Sambadrome stadium in Rio de Janeiro February 25, 2001.

From Essaouira to Latin America: Reviving the Moroccan Jewish Diaspora’s rich history

'These exchanges culminated in a collective commitment to strengthen bonds between Jewish communities across Latin America and their historical roots in Morocco.'

 JACOB MARRACHE presents to the director of Bayt Dakira Ghita Rabouli the book resulting from his project transcribing ‘beit din’ ledger books from Essaouira dating from 1919 to the 1960s.

Major haredi systems to face organizational overhaul after financial trouble

The issue of the haredi school system is unrelated to the ongoing issue of the haredi exemption from IDF service, whose legal basis expired in July 2023.

 HAREDI STUDENTS learn in a yeshiva.

A vision for the future: Observations of Jewish life and heritage in Morocco - opinion

Essaouira, with its rich history and vibrant culture, stands as a reminder of what is possible when we embrace our shared heritage.

 THE WRITER (third from left) poses with leaders of the Mimouna Association and participants from Latin America at the recent conference in Essaouira, Morocco.