Crypto-Jews are also known as Anousim, Anusim, and Conversos and were formerly known as Marranos (“Marranos” is still used in Portuguese-speaking communities).
Donate to Kulanu’s Special Fund on Anousim and Latin America
Useful Resources:
Links to Videos
ONLINE SPEAKER SERIES: Genie Milgrom (2020)
Kulanu Online Speaker Series on Returning and Emerging Jewish Communities in Latin America.
Rabbi Barbara Aiello, producer, and Carl Perkal, director, “Secret Jews of Calabria,” (2014).
The film is available for purchase.
Jeff Cipin and Rabbi Elyse Goldstein, producers, “Los Nuevos Judíos de Guatemala,” (2019).
Trailer on Kulanu’s Youtube channel. For 3.5 minute version, click here.
Vanessa Dylyn, producer and executive director, “The Mystery of San Nicandro,” (2012).
The film is available for purchase.
Daniel Knapp, “Sonya Loya’s Crypto-Judaic Art Glass,” (2010).
On Kulanu’s Youtube channel
Joshua Kristal and Shneur Menaker, “Returning to Roots,” (2018).
For the trailer, click here.
Genie Milgrom’s Introductions for Anousim (2019)
Click here for Genie’s Introduction for Anousim Communities in English.
Articles and Links
- A Secret Jewish Past: Genealogist Genie Milgrom’s Multinational Journey to Uncover Her Roots by Eve Glover – Jewish Press (2022)
- Miami woman traced her Crypto-Jewish roots back to 1405. She’ll share her story by Carli Teproff – Miami Herald (2021)
- Declarao de Recife Declaration of Recife (2018)
- International Conference On Bnei Anousim co-sponsored by Kulanu – Address by Bonita Nathan Sussman (2016)
- Israel Taking Major Steps to Reconnect Millions of Bnei Anousim to Jewish Nation Breaking Israel News 2015)
- El Salvador Jewish Community Emerges From Centuries of Isolation and Assimilation Rabbi Aaron Rehberg (2011)
- Miami woman tracks her hidden Jewish roots through 22 generations Miami Herald (External link – 2014)
- In southern Italy, long-lost Jews are returning to the fold Haaretz (External link – 2012)
- El Salvador Jewish Community Emerges From Centuries of Isolation and AssimilationRabbi Aaron Rehberg (2011)
- The Renaissance of the B’nai Anousim (Crypto-Jews) By Michael Freund (2010)
- Inquisition Descendants Face Challenges on Journey of Return to Judaism By Andrée Aelion Brooks (2010)
- Travels with Nancy By Nancy Cuevas Guzmán (2009)
- El Paso and Ruidoso: Centers of Learning for Anousim Harry Ezratty (2007)
- Introducing Raices Hebreos — A Colorado Anous Community Guillermo Lazo (2006)
- Fear and Shadows Michael Freund (2002)
- Return Stephen Gomes (2002)
- Departing Remarks Stephen Gomes (2002)
- “The Crypto Jews of Brazil: A Personal Account” Arthur Benveniste (1997)
- That “Marrano” word Karen Primack (1995)
- “Marranos” return to Judaism after 500 years Gil Kezmer (1994)
- Elizabethan “Marranos” Unmasked Charles Meyers
- “Marranos” Gloria Mound
- Anusim, Tshuba and Halakha Yafeu ibn Taom
- “Marrano” names Manuel Bravo
- The Rescue of the Portuguese “Marranos” book by David Augusto Canelo (1996)
- Fragile Branches: Travels Through the Jewish Diaspora book by James R. Ross
- The poetry and prose of Yehuda ha-Levi (website link)
- The Case of New Mexico’s “Hidden Jews” (website link)
- The Story of Secret and Forcibly Converted Jews (website link)
- Kulanu Resources for Remembering the Anousim on Tisha B’av Kulanu (2011)
- Memorializing the Spanish Inquisition on Tisha B’av: Resolution and Resources Rabbis Leon and Mejia (2010)
Links to Anousim Web Sites
- Anusim Page of Schulamith Halevy (website link)
- Arthur Benveniste’s Home Page on Sephardic and Anousim History (website link)
- S&P Central: An Information Hub For Spanish & Portuguese/Western Sephardic Jewish Communities (website link)
Anousim Centers & Conferences
International Conference on Bnei Anousim C0-sponsored by Kulanu – Address by Bonita Nathan Sussman (2016)
The Anusim Center in El Paso, Texas is connected to the Jewish Federation. There is no longer an active website. Contact can be made through Rabbi Steven Leon.
The International Institute of Secret Jews (Anousim) Studies Astonishingly, millions of people in the world retain remnants of Jewish traditions, yet they remain completely unaware of their Jewish roots. These people are secret or crypto-Jews and are the descendants of the Secret Jews (Anusim in Hebrew), Jews who were forced to convert to Christianity during the Inquisition in Spain. Many fled Spain for Portugal, North and South America, and many other countries to escape the depredations and brutality of the Inquisition. The International Institute for Secret Jews Studies investigates this unique phenomenon, and where possible, tries to rescue these descendants and help reunite them with their stolen Jewish legacy.
The Institute for Sefardi and Anousim Studies (ISAS) at Netanya Academic College in Israel was created in response to the incredible phenomenon of the descendants of the forced converts (Anousim) in medieval Spain and Portugal awakening to their Jewish heritage.
The ISAS promotes research on the historical and contemporary development of the crypto-Jews of Iberian origin, as well as other groups such as the Mashadis of Iran. We offer seminars, courses, and conferences to educate the public about this phenomenon and its contemporary ramifications in Israel and around the world. We also offer assistance to those seeking confirmation of their Jewish ancestry through genealogical research.
Sephardim Hope International is a benevolent international non-profit organization to bring the message of the Sephardic Anusim Jews (the descendants of the forcibly converted ones) from Spain to the awareness of the Jews, Gentiles, and the world. This is a prophetic message of hope and part of the story of Biblical Zionism.
Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies SCJS has established itself as the preeminent association dedicated to fostering research in the historical and contemporary development of Sephardic crypto-Jews. SCJS also provides a venue for the descendants of crypto-Jews, scholars, and other interested parties to network and discuss pertinent issues. As an international forum, it creates opportunities for sharing personal narratives, as well as new and relevant data of interest to our diverse membership. Above all, it nurtures a global community for those in search of more information and helps gather in the fragments of crypto-Jewish communities around the world.