An Israeli delegation leaves today for Spain and Portugal to meet with descendants of Marranos seeking to return to Judaism. After the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 and Portugal in 1496, many Jews stayed on in those countries, living outwardly as Catholics while maintaining Jewish tradition secretly at home. Now, centuries later, some of their descendants have begun to explore their heritage.
According to Michael Freund, Director of the Jerusalem-based Amishav organization, which seeks out and assists "lost Jews" in returning to the Jewish people, "a remarkable awakening is underway. Across the Spanish-speaking world, untold numbers of men and women are engaged in a spiritual quest, seeking out their identity and their roots. We owe it to them and to their ancestors to reach out to them, and to help those who wish to return to do so."
Accompanying Freund on the trip will be Rabbi Eliyahu Birnbaum, the former Chief Rabbi of Uruguay. The group will visit Barcelona and Madrid, as well as several Portuguese villages where large numbers of Marrano descendants are said to reside.
Amishav is also currently offering a Spanish-language conversion and return institute in Jerusalem. Many descendants of Marranos are taking part in the course. Upon graduation, the students undergo conversion by the Israeli Chief Rabbinate.
According to Michael Freund, Director of the Jerusalem-based Amishav organization, which seeks out and assists "lost Jews" in returning to the Jewish people, "a remarkable awakening is underway. Across the Spanish-speaking world, untold numbers of men and women are engaged in a spiritual quest, seeking out their identity and their roots. We owe it to them and to their ancestors to reach out to them, and to help those who wish to return to do so."
Accompanying Freund on the trip will be Rabbi Eliyahu Birnbaum, the former Chief Rabbi of Uruguay. The group will visit Barcelona and Madrid, as well as several Portuguese villages where large numbers of Marrano descendants are said to reside.
Amishav is also currently offering a Spanish-language conversion and return institute in Jerusalem. Many descendants of Marranos are taking part in the course. Upon graduation, the students undergo conversion by the Israeli Chief Rabbinate.