The Sephardic Anousim

On Sunday June 27th at 2:00 PM, Shelomo Alfassa will present his acclaimed book, “The Sephardic Anousim” at Kehila Kedosha Janina Synagogue, 280 Broome Street (off Allen St.), Lower East Side, Manhattan (directions by car | subway).

THE SEPHARDIC ANOUSIM was written to fill a void in the subject of the Anousim (Hebrew for ‘coerced’). The Anousim are descendants of forcibly converted Jews of Spain and Portugal (historically known as Marranos). Many tens of thousands of Jews were converted in the 14th and 15th century due to violence and religious intimidation. However, many of these Jews secretly concealed their Judaic observances while acting like they were newly baptized Catholics. Today, descendants of those converted Jews are increasingly “coming out” only to find themselves lost in a sea of complicated Jewish laws,  being deceived by missionaries and are frustrated in seeking to fully understand the history of their own people.

Alfassa’s talk will include a PowerPoint presentation. It is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. The author will be available to personally sign copies of the book for purchase.