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COMING SOON
This book is set to serve as a primer for those first learning or yet unfamiliar with the plight of the descendants of the anousim. Anousim generally means ‘forced ones’ or ‘coerced,’ in Hebrew. These are the Jews that because of 14th and 15th century coercion, (before and during the Inquisitions in Spain and Portugal), concealed their Judaic observance while acting like they were newly baptized Catholics. The word anousim not only refers to the original generation of forced ones, but also to the descendants of the original generation who today are coming out after centuries of darkness, searching for the light of truth, often still called marranos and for various reasons, crypto-Jews.
Today, we welcome back the anousim to the religion of their forefathers who suffered, were tortured and were humiliated because of their devotion to their religion and their devotion to the Torah. Let the Torah guide them on their path as they return to the heritage and culture stolen from their ancestors. Anousim and those that may help them, should only seek answers from those that are educated on the subject matter and are judiciously wise enough to appropriatly guide them.
The anousim and their plight is a situation that world Jewry still has not developed a comprehensive solution for. The anousim should look toward their local orthodox rabbi who will be able to instruct them on their journey. They will need to have patience, be persistent, learn slowly, learn much, but most of all, be welcomed home.
About the author: Shelomo Alfassá oversees Special Projects for the American Sephardi Federation. From 2006-2009 he was the US Director of Justice for Jews from Arab Countries. He is the founder and former Executive Director of the International Sephardic Leadership Council and the editor of the award winning International Sephardic Journal. Mr. Alfassá served as former Director of Research and Development for Sephardic House at the Center for Jewish History. He is the editor of Ethnic Sephardic Jews in the Medical Literature and Reference Guide to the Nazis and Arabs During the Holocaust. His articles have appeared in the media such as The Jewish Press, Israel National News, Image Magazine, Moment Magazine and several other publications.
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