Descendants of Crypto-Jews in New Mexico

Tuesday July 14th with Dr. Sarah Leiter

Zoom Presentation Starts at 11:30AM - 12:30PM

Please arrive by 11:15AM

Description:

In contemporary New Mexico, a growing number of Catholics are discovering their Sephardic Jewish ancestry and beginning to see themselves as Jews. Some are learning that they come from crypto-Jewish families, those whose ancestors publicly converted to Catholicism during the Spanish Inquisition but secretly continued to pass down Judaism to ensuing generations. In this talk, we will explore what crypto-Jewish heritage looks like and the kinds of questions that are continuing to puzzle researchers today.

Bio:

Sarah Leiter is a cultural and linguistic anthropologist who researches emergent and marginalized Jewish communities around the world. She received her Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico and most recently was a fellow at the University of Pennsylvania's Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies. She is currently writing a book about identity, heritage, and religion among New Mexico's Sephardic descendants.

RSVP by July 13th to Leanne llehn@jewishcanton.org or leave a message at (330) 445-2850.

Refreshments will be provided.