The Global Nação:
Western Sephardi Synagogues Tour
with Joshua de Sola Mendes Made possible by Eli Gabay, Esq., Parnas of Philadelphia’s Congregation Mikveh Israel and Distinguished Board Member of the American Sephardi Federation Tuesday 26 May at 12PM EDT
Sign-up Now! When the dark shadow of the Inquisition of 1492 fell over the Jews of Spain, a frantic effort ensued to find safe haven elsewhere. Many fled to the Ottoman Empire and to North Africa. Yet another group – the subject of this session – fled westward, many of them first to Portugal and then onward to Amsterdam, London, southern France, Italy, and to the port cities of the New World – from Montreal in the north to New York, Philadelphia, and on downward to the Caribbean, including such places as Jamaica and Curacao. There they reestablished Jewish communal life, building majestic synagogues, Hebrew schools for educating their youth, and a distinctive Jewish culture marked by the dignity of their synagogue rituals and inspiring beauty of their melodies. These communities also continued their connections, sending kosher food, prayers books, brides and bridegrooms, and both moral and financial support. Happily, these Western Sephardic communities continue on today – praying, educating, and building toward the future! In this session we will have the pleasure of visiting with some of them, hearing about their rich history as well as present-day life, and seeing some of their beautiful sanctuaries. Join us! Synagogues and our tour guides: Bayonne – Deborah Loupiens-Suares, President of the Community
Florence – Gadi Piperno, Rabbi of the Community
Jamaica – Ainsley Henriques, Former President of the Community
Montreal – James Archibald, Former President of the Community
New York – Joshua Mendes
Philadelphia – Albert Gabbai, Rabbi of the Community
London – Rabbi Shalom Morris
Amsterdam – Jaap Sondervan
Rome – Rabbi Amedeo Spagnoletto | 
eSefarad Noticias del Mundo Sefaradi
