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Sephardic Judaism
Students and staff of the Hebrew University Department of Spanish and Latin American Studies. Dr. Ruth Fine, third from left, is the first Israeli president of the International Association of Hispanists, which held a five-day academic conference in Jerusalem. (Courtesy)
July 18, 2019, 10:39 pm
For the first time ever, Israel hosts a global symposium on Hispanic culture
Jews have had a profound impact on Spanish society over the centuries; now an Israeli has been voted into a three-year stint as head of the International Association of Hispanists
By Cecilia Lazzaro Blasbalg
Tamar Zaken
November 27, 2017, 3:37 pm
Tamar Zaken
Activism as fire or incremental light?
The Hanukkah candles suggest opposing ways to fight injustice: bold measures vs. small regular actions
Study for 1917 Fire —Salonika” (2016) by Harry I. Naar (Courtesy of Naar via JTA)
August 18, 2017, 11:17 pm
A century ago, Jewish Salonica burned
The home to the largest and most dynamic Ladino-speaking Sephardi Jewish community in the world was rebuilt, only to be destroyed anew
By Devin E. Naar
Undated picture of London Senior Sephardi Rabbi Joseph Dweck (CC BY-SA Wikiweck, Wikimedia commons)
July 19, 2017, 8:25 pm
Top UK Sephardi rabbi who hailed acceptance of gays to step down as clerical judge
Joseph Dweck, criticized for praising acceptance of homosexuality, apologizes for rulings; stays on as head of London’s S&P synagogue
By TOI staff
From left to right: Rabbi Joseph Dweck (courtesy), British Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis (Foreign and Commonwealth Office), and Chief Sephardi Rabbi od Israel Yitzhak Yosef (CC-SA-GFDL).
July 12, 2017, 9:41 pm
Is UK’s Sephardi rabbi fracas about more than condoning homosexuality?
After controversial statements by Joseph Dweck, one of Britain’s top rabbis, some have called for his ouster. But do their claims hold water?
By Jenni Frazer
A symbolic key from the 1932 dedication of Los Angeles’ Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel is part of an archival collection acquired by UCLA. (Courtesy of UCLA)
January 13, 2017, 9:23 pm
New Sephardi history archive makes first major acquisition
UCLA center obtains ‘one of the most significant collections ever assembled’ on the history of Sephardi Jews in LA
By Josefin Dolsten
Turkish Chief Rabbi Ishak Haleva, right, talking to congregants outside Kadoorie – Mekor Haim synagogue in Porto, Portugal, Jan. 29, 2016 (Cnaan Liphshiz/JTA)
February 12, 2016, 6:24 am
New citizenship law has Jews flocking to tiny Portugal city
Three hundred applications have been approved, but with recent elections over, that figure is set to incease
By Cnaan Liphshiz
Haim Casas surrounded by congregants at Atid in Barcelona, 2015. (Antoni Moreno)
February 9, 2016, 11:29 pm
First Cordoba-born rabbi since 1492 expulsion set on reversing history
After his ordination next year in London, Haim Casas to return to Maimonides’ home town to build progressive Jewish life inspired by great Sephardic legacy
By Renee Ghert-Zand
In this photo taken on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, a Jewish woman reads a book at the main Jewish synagogue in Lisbon. Portugal enacted in March a law to grant citizenship to descendants of Sephardic Jews exiled during the Inquisition 500 years ago. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
May 12, 2015, 4:32 am
Unlike Portugal, Spain Sephardic citizenship plan hits snags
Significant hurdles placed by government, including learning Spanish, leave some eligible Jews put off by initiative
By Alan Clendenning and Tia Goldenberg
The Congress of Deputies of Spain in session. (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)
February 28, 2015, 12:26 am
Sephardic Jews urge Spain to adopt law of return
Spanish-speaking community implores Madrid to follow Portuguese example and vote on legislation providing citizenship
By JTA
People stand near a gift shop in the old Jewish Quarters of Toledo, Spain on February 27, 2014. (photo credit: AFP/Gerard Julien)
October 9, 2014, 7:59 am
Spanish city reconnects to Jewish past with Sukkot cultural festival
Two-day event in Toledo features Sephardic music, cuisine, workshops on building Sukkah
By JTA
Jordan Elgrably is executive director of the Levantine Cultural Center in Los Angeles. (Anthony Weiss/JTA)
June 24, 2014, 11:41 pm
LA center pushes Mideast peace with coexistence culture
Levantine Cultural Center encourages Jews, Christians and Muslims to see themselves as heirs to a common heritage
By Anthony Weiss
Illustrative image of a British Airways plane at London's Heathrow Airport (Panhard/Wikimedia Commons)
June 24, 2014, 10:10 am
Granada roots tour routed to Grenada
American dentist who wanted to connect with his Sephardic heritage seeks $34,000 damages from British Airways over botched vacation due to transposed letter
By Renee Ghert-Zand
The Spanish Inquisition Tribunal, a 19th century work by Spanish artist Francisco Goya. (Wikimedia Commons/CC BY)
June 7, 2014, 5:49 am
Spain approves ‘law of return’ for Jews
Cabinet passes draft law granting citizenship to exiles’ descendants — and allowing them dual nationality
By JTA
Granada (photo credit: CC-BY-Angel Mateo, Wikimedia Commons)
December 23, 2013, 6:44 am
Spanish city opening museum on its ‘forgotten’ Jews
The Palace of the Forgotten, dedicated to the culture of Sephardi Judaism, scheduled to open on January 2 in Granada
By JTA
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