Jews, Spain, the U.S., Israel, & Europe

Melanie Rockoff

When & Why did Jews leave Spain?

• Year: 1492• King Ferdinand and

Queen Isabella expel Jews (about 200,000) from Spain– Some Jews fled– Some forced to convert– Tens of thousands killed

• Country unified behind Christianity

Ladino -איספאנייול גודיאו• Ladino, or Judeo-Spanish, is the spoken and

written Hispanic language of Jews of Spanish origin.

Ladino -איספאנייול גודיאו• It is derived from medieval Castilian Spanish

and spoken by the descendents of the Sephardim.

Ladino -איספאנייול גודיאו• Ladino did not become a specifically Jewish

language until after the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492.

Ladino -איספאנייול גודיאו• Ladino has traditionally

been written using the Hebrew alphabet; during the 20th century, Ladino was additionally written using the Latin alphabet.

Current Jewish population by country:– Israel: 6,042,000– United States: 5,425,000• Illinois: 297,935• New York: 1,761,020• California: 1,223,640• New Jersey: 504,450

– Spain: 12,000• Madrid: 3,500• Barcelona: 3,500

Sephardic vs. Ashkenazi Jews

• Ashkenazi: descendants of Jews from France, Germany and Eastern Europe

• Sephardic: descendants of Jews from Spain, Portugal, North Africa and the Middle East

Jews in the United States pre-WWI– 1860: European Jews

begin to immigrate to U.S.• 1882-1914: 2 million

European Jews enter U.S.– Reasons:

• Anti-Semitism & pogroms• Desire for better life/fresh

start– Majority shift:

SephardimAshkenazi– Jews flock to larger cities

(NYC, Chicago, etc.)

Jews in Europe during WWII• 1938: Nazi-organized

pogroms begin• Many Jews sought refuge in

the U.S. (some in Spain, too)• 1941more and more

European countries systematically deport Jews to concentration camps

• Total number of Jews killed in the Holocaust:• 6 million

Israel

• According to the Torah, God promised the land of Israel to the Jewish people

• 11th century BCEKingdom of Israel

• Roman Empire invadesJewish-Roman Wars

• Mass Jewish genocide

• 635 C.E. Muslims take over the land and rule for 1300 years

• Jewish DiasporaJews look back to Israel to reclaim a homeland

• 19th century Eastern European pogromsmore exiled Jews

• Palestine holds increasing number of Jews

The U.S. & Israel

• 1948Israel becomes sovereign nation recognized and supported by U.S.

• Religious & political ties– Shared religious heritage– Democratic ideology– Jewish population in U.S.– Etc.

Temple Jeremiah

Temple Jeremiah