From The Men’s Club of Kehilath Jeshuran
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The Mensʼ Club of Kehilath Jeshuran, in association with The Dona Gracia Project* will present, with the support of the Turkish Consulate General in New York , “A Celebration of Dona Gracia”, one of the most important leaders in the Jewish World. The event will take place on SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2011 AT 6:00 P.M. at CONGREGATION KEHILATH JESHURUN, 125 East 85th Street (bet. Park & Lexington Avenues). This is a program for the entire community to enjoy.

The event will feature a lecture by.Andrée Aelion Brooks, award-winning author of “The Woman Who Defied Kings: The Life and Times of Dona Gracia Nasi” which presents the incredible story of Dona Gracia Nasi, a 16th century Jewish woman banker who developed an escape network that saved hundreds of her fellow conversos from the terrors of the Inquisition. With the help of the Turkish Sultan, Suleiman the Magnificent, Dona Gracia brought hundreds of forcibly converted Jews into the Ottoman Empire. She did this by shepherding them out of Spain and Portugal where they were threatened with arrest and confiscation of property by the Inquisition. Encouraged by the Turkish Sultan, she started building Tiberias, in Israel, in an effort to make it a home for expelled Jews.

A light supper will be served. There is no charge to attend the event.
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*The Dona Gracia Project seeks to bring public recognition and honor to the memory of one of the greatest women leaders of the Jewish world and promote her values for future generations
**Dona Gracia image reproduced with the cooperation of the Arthur Szyk Society, Burlingame CA www.szyk.org.