Simon Vaez de Sevilla

This is the third of what I refer to as mini-posts that will focus on facts related to Crypto-Jews/Conversos in the New World.

• Born in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in 1598.
• Most powerful Crypto-Jewish family in New Spain. The Godfather/Patron of many Crypto Jewish families.
• Commercial activities reached Holland, France, Spain, Venezuela, Peru, thePhilippines, and Goa.
• Key Supplier of goods to mining areas.
• His house served as the stopover for Crypto-Jews from Spain and Portugal in the 1620s and 1630s.
• Financier to other Conversos and the Viceroyalty. When he was arrested for Judaizing in 642, he was owed 500,000 pesos.
• In Mexico City until 1650 when he was arrested by the Mexican Inquisition.

Posted by Rabbi Juan Bejarano Gutierrez the director of the B’nei Anusim Center for Education. For a more complete review of Iberian Jewish history and the Crypto- Jewish Experience see The Rise of the Inquisition and Secret Jews: The Complex Identity of Crypto-Jews and Crypto-Judaism