March
24
This event has taken place
Bernard Museum of Judaica
At the Crossroad of Sefarad
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE CRYPTO-JEWS
March 24 to August 28, 2022
For centuries, the clues should have been obvious, hinting at secret histories forged by the obsession of long-dead monarchs:
- A grandmother using olive oil instead of lard
- A father who refused to eat pork on Saturday
- Mirrors covered during times of mourning
- Celebration of a Saint no one else had heard of: Santa Esterica, Saint Esther
But the traditions and coping mechanisms of the descendants of Crypto-Jews who fled or survived the Inquisition remain murky, even more than 600 years after the massacres that coerced more than half of Spain’s Jews to convert to Catholicism – and 500 years after those who did not were formally expelled.
The Bernard Museum’s new exhibition, created by ANU – Museum of the Jewish People in partnership with the Jewish Heritage Alliance, explores the history of the descendants of Jews: those who fled, those who were forcibly converted and those who only pretended to be converted.
Visitors will travel across time from the Golden Age of Iberian Jewry under the Muslim Moors; to their Christian persecution; their flight to Europe, North Africa, the Balkans and the New world; and the unique customs they developed to retain their heritage.
The opening will include guest speaker Dr. Isaac Amon, Director of Academic Research & Program Development at the Jewish heritage Alliance. A first generation American, Dr. Isaac Amon’s paternal ancestors originated in 15th century Spain before leaving the Iberian Peninsula due to the Expulsion of 1492. Over the centuries, following their arrival in the Ottoman Empire, they served as Chief Rabbis, diplomats and physicians to the Sultans.
Thursday, March 24 |
6:30 pm Eastern
Free
Free
Opening night event information to come.
Thursday, March 24 |
6:30 pm
Free
Free
For centuries, the clues should have been obvious, hinting at secret histories forged by the obsession of long-dead monarchs:
- A grandmother using olive oil instead of lard
- A father who refused to eat pork on Saturday
- Mirrors covered during times of mourning
- Celebration of a Saint no one else had heard of: Santa Esterica, Saint Esther
But the traditions and coping mechanisms of the descendants of Crypto-Jews who fled or survived the Inquisition remain murky, even more than 600 years after the massacres that coerced more than half of Spain’s Jews to convert to Catholicism – and 500 years after those who did not were formally expelled.
The Bernard Museum’s new exhibition, created by ANU – Museum of the Jewish People in partnership with the Jewish Heritage Alliance, explores the history of the descendants of Jews: those who fled, those who were forcibly converted and those who only pretended to be converted.
Visitors will travel across time from the Golden Age of Iberian Jewry under the Muslim Moors; to their Christian persecution; their flight to Europe, North Africa, the Balkans and the New world; and the unique customs they developed to retain their heritage.
The opening will include guest speaker Dr. Isaac Amon, Director of Academic Research & Program Development at the Jewish heritage Alliance. A first generation American, Dr. Isaac Amon’s paternal ancestors originated in 15th century Spain before leaving the Iberian Peninsula due to the Expulsion of 1492. Over the centuries, following their arrival in the Ottoman Empire, they served as Chief Rabbis, diplomats and physicians to the Sultans.