They fled from Spain to neighboring Portugal but were soon forced to cross the Atlantic on their way to the New World. They were baptized as Christians against their will and were forced to remove any signs that hinted at their Jewish heritage. But they were willing to risk their lives to hold on to something. This is the story of the conversos who invented a Christian saint who was in fact a Jewish queen, to remind themselves of who they truly were.
The Mystery of the Spanish Esther Scroll
“¡Que tengas un feliz Purim!” – That’s Spanish for: Have a happy Purim! A 17th century megillah stands out for being penned in the language of descendants of the inquisitions’ survivors.
Out of the Vault: Incredible Torah Scrolls Revealed
Check out these clips featuring four of the most stunning and interesting Torah scrolls from the National Library of Israel collection
8 Nights, 8 Treasures, 8 Languages
Join us for a Hanukkah video journey across cultures and time, featuring treasures from the National Library of Israel!
Revealed: Stirring Words from the Victims of the Mexican Inquisition
Jews in Mexico who secretly kept their faith were tortured and tried. Their tormentors saved their poems…
Is Fish and Chips a Jewish Delicacy?
The little-known Jewish connections to a few of the world’s favorite foods
One of the World’s Oldest Esther Scrolls Comes Home
Mid-15th century Iberian megillah now at the National Library of Israel in Jerusalem and online
Was One of Catholic Spain’s Prominent Religious Scholars Secretly Jewish?
New research suggests that Alfonso de Zamora may have remained true to his faith
Five-Hundred Years in the Life of the Amon Family
From the surrender of Spain to the court of Suleiman the Magnificent and beyond, they were there
Putting the J in Majorca
After hundreds of years underground, Jewish life on the Spanish island is reawakening
