eSefarad Noticias del Mundo Sefaradi
Zelda Ovadia made the proposition on Ladinokomunita on the 9th of January, 2013. (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ladinokomunita/messages/44839):
Here’s the translation of part of her message:
“I am writing this message to share with you, and all who have at heart, and are interested in, Judeo-Spanish, its culture and history, and its rich heritage, a proposition, which I have carried within me for a long time. Today, when we have in almost all parts of the world universities, institutions, centers, and circles which are active and are distinguishing thememselves in the field of Judeo-Spanish and its culture, organizing conferences, days of study, concerts of songs in Ladino and more, I ask you if you agree with my proposition to determina a date for AN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF LADINO […]
This received many respnses of support. But at the time we didn’t know if this alluded to a reunion in one specific pace, or exactly how this was to be. On the following day Moshe Shaul explained it to us:
“[the proposition is] to have a day dedicated to activities dealing with Ladino and its culture, simultaneously, on the same day in the various places of the world where there are ladino-speaking groups […]“
Again, the idea was received with much joy. But again a few months passed before the subject was mentioned again on Ladinokomunita. In July, Moshe Shaul wrote in informing us that “La Autoridad de Ladino” also accepted the project, and that a committee, consisting of Moshe Shaul, Zelda Ovadia, Alegra Amado, and Dr. Alisia Ginio, had been formed to prepare a program in Israel, to take place on the last day of Hanuka, Dec. 5, 2013.
Finally we learned that in Israel, with the support of the Salti Center for Ladino Studies at the University of Bar Ilan, there would be a day-long program in the University’s 800-seat auditorium. Then Rachel Amado Bortnick decided to have a program in Dallas on the same day and went to work on it. She was able to get the support of professor Serge Frolov, of the Ann i Nate Levine Center of Jewish Studies at Southern Methodist University, the largest university in Dallas, and of her Ladino-speaking friends in Dallas who were happy at the prospect of having an activity on their culture in this city. Dina Eliezer, also born in Izmir (but raised in Israel) and Director of Education in a local conservative synagogue, kolaborated with her on the details of the program.
In the meantime, on October 22, Zelda Ovadia asked her to prepare a video of greetings to be shown in Israel.
At the same time, Stella Garber, of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, said she would work on doing a program there as well, and asked Rachel to send a video for them as well.
Liliana Benveniste of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Also announced that they would celebrate Ladino Cay ther. And Prof. Juana Castaño of Murcia, Spained, joined in with a plan in her Fakultty.
Then, with great enthusiasm, on October 28th, Rachel wrote again on LK about Dia de Ladino.
It grew like an explosion, a spark that caught fire! More and more places started to join in this celebration, and are still joining.
And Marcelo Benveniste, our friend in Buenos Aires, established for this union a CENTER on the Web, , which he updates every day:
Now we feel as if we have a WORLD UNION which was formed on the occasion of PRIMER DIA INTERNASIONAL DE LADINO, this new Jewish holiday fixed to be celebrated on the Second day of Tevet (last day of Hanuka) every year. Don’t miss going to check the website often, even after 2 Tevet 5774!
What a beautiful feeling it is to have this solidarity for our language and culture. We honor Zelda Ovadia for her marvelous idea.
Rachel Amado Bortnick
