A Prayer for Conversos

The following pray for Conversos was penned by Rabbi Shelomo Alkabetz in 1536. Alkabetz was a rabbi and kabbalist best remembered for … More

B’nei Anusim March in Support of Israel

Descendants of Conversos/Anusim are organizing in various cities in support of the State of Israel.  Its a fascinating aspect of … More

Creating Conversos: Genealogy and Identity as Historiographical Problems

Mercedes Garcia-Arenal has written a number of articles related to Conversos (both Jewish and Muslim). The following article is a … More

Jewish Prayer: Birchot Hatorah in the Spanish-Portuguese Tradition

This Jewish prayer is called the Birchot Hatorah- the Blessings of the Torah and is part of the Shacharit (morning … More

Isaac Abarbanel and the Return of the Bnei Anusim

Don Isaac Abarbanel believed that most Jews who had converted had done so for the sake of survival. He states, “Because of … More

Spain Grants Citizenship to Sephardic Jews

Dr. Juan Bejarano-Gutierrez The following article from the Washington Post notes the recent granting of Spanish Citizenship to more than … More

Ein Kelohainu according to the Spanish-Portuguese Custom

The following recording of Ein Kelohainu is sung according to the Spanish-Portuguese Custom. This particular tune was once sung at the … More

Converso Involvement in the Sabbatai Zevi Movement

By Rabbi Juan Bejarano-Gutierrez The rise of Sabbatai Zevi and his messianic movement greatly impacted communities comprised of former Conversos. … More

The Jewish Communities of the Iberian Peninsula

By Rabbi Juan Bejarano-Gutierrez The Edict of Expulsion issued by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella on March 31st, 1492 gave … More

The Religious Instruction of the Conversos

A key claim of some critics of Crypto-Judaism is the idea that the lack of Christian education among Conversos is … More