Sefardi

La Crosse was privy to some unique educational opportunities this week with the visit of Dr. Abraham Haim, the President of the Council of Jewish Sephardic Community of Jerusalem. Besides being a guest lecturer, Dr. Haim presented a medal of recognition of the Four Sephardic Synagogues in the Jewish Quarter of Old Jerusalem to one of my colleagues Jesús Jambrina for his research and work re: Spain's Jewish Sephardic communities specifically of Zamora, Spain where Jambrina's family originated before moving to Cuba. 

(l) Dr. Abraham Haim  (r) Jesús Jambrina

Jambrina has been instrumental in not only organizing two international conferences there but also in working with city officials regarding signage markers identifying locales and preserving the historical significance of that city’s Medieval Jewish Quarters for residents and visitors. 
Dr. Haim also presented the medal 2 years ago to Spain's King Juan Carlos so Jambrina is in good company.  

Timely news from Spain's parliament confirming the most recent granting of 'absentia citizenship' to any Sephardic who can prove their Spanish lineage. 600 years late is better than not at all. 

photo by Jesus Jambrina

Dr. Haim imparted history lessons regarding the Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews on Wednesday afternoon to Viterbo staff and The Living In a Diverse World and Medieval History classes. Those in attendance heard about Maimonides and the expulsion of the Jews (1492) and their diaspora as to where and when specific communities settled in Israel. Some 600,000 Spanish Jews had once lived in Spain. During the Spanish Inquisition one third converted to Catholicism while another third retained their Jewish identity but dispersed elsewhere out of Spain. Now I understand why Algiers had such a large Jewish community.

Pictured here: yours truly, Viterbo Latin American History prof, Eric Weinberg, Dr. Haim and Viterbo student

Jesús's yarmulke translated: Jewish Community of Madrid

Dr. Haim voiced a desire to see La Crosse's synagogue so after his presentations we made a brief stop at Congregation Sons of Abraham so he could visit. Jesús happened to have the yarmulke (skull cap) Dr. Haim had given to him last year in Spain. I can assure you Jesus donned a very 'special' head covering. 

Dr. Haim also demonstrated his knowledge exceeds the history of the Jews but also that he is well versed in the bible. Below he treated us to his Hebrew chanting from Genesis (Bereshit). It was a first for me to really hear a Ladino accent, the language of the Sephardic Jews. What a treat.

Dr. Haim's presentation on Thursday will be about Holocaust education in Israel to Wisconsin educators who are integrating this important part of history into their classrooms. It is important for future generations to understand the past and to ZAHOR, Remember.