The Captives Return: B’nai Anusim
17
JULY
2012
Throughout Jewish history, communities set up funds to redeem Jews captured by oppressors; money redeemed captives. In our time, learning – specifically genealogical knowledge – has become the means by which many descendants of Jews forcibly converted in Spain and Portugal centuries ago are being redeemed. Many such descendants now call themselves B’nai Anusim, Children of the Forced Ones. These descendants have a phrase, “the blood calls”, to describe how their Jewish souls find their way back to the mainstream of the Jewish people. Topics include the history of the phenomenon; relevant DNA studies; the differing experiences of Portuguese descendants in New England (northeastern United States) and Spanish descendants in the Southwest (United States); and stories of individuals’ journeys back to Jewish identity.
| Speaker | Location |
|---|---|
|
Jonina DUKER |
Ella Fitzgerald A |