Order a Copy $21.99 'THE SEPHARDIC ANOUSIM', ISBN 978-026-0-3 260 pages 6"x9" April 2010 Soft Cover ISBN 978-0-9763226-8-9 Includes bibliographical references, illustrations and index SAMPLE PAGES PRESS RELEASE Review DATES: BOOK SIGNINGS & SPEAKING On Sale at the Center for Jewish History Book Store Follow me on...		THE SEPHARDIC ANOUSIM was written to fill a void in the subject of the anousim (Hebrew for 'coerced'). The anousim are descendants of the forcibly converted Jews of Spain and Portugal (in the past known as marranos). Many tens of thousands of Jews 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; getting deceived by missionaries; and are frustrated in seeking to fully understand the history of their own people. "I just finished reading your Sephardic Anousim book. I think it's a masterpiece that contributes to the B’nai Anousim history." --Ely Benaim THE SEPHARDIC ANOUSIM explains both the Inquisition as well as the expulsion from Spain in 1492. It provides first-hand accounts of the worst trials and tribulations the Jewish people suffered prior to the Holocaust. It discusses 'crypto-Jews' and controversy related to crypto-Jews. This 260 page book examines issues important to the anousim such as halakha (Jewish law), conversion or return, missionary interference and it highlights the opinions (responsa) of rabbinical leaders over past several centuries in regard to forcibly converted Jews. This book is perfect for anyone wanting to understand the subject of the anousim. The anousim and their plight remains a matter that world Jewry still has not developed a comprehensive solution for. Images from the book: (L-R) Torquemada’s ‘Instructions'; Captain Artur Carlos de Barros Basto; Copy of the Expulsion Decree; Letter from Chief Rabbi Jacob S. Kassin of the Syrian community; A copy of the newspaper ‘Ha-Lapid’; page from a Sephardic prayer book mentioning Jews burned by the Inquisition. 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 at the Center for Jewish History in New York City. His academic passion is the history of Jews from both Iberia (Spain and Portugal) and the Ottoman Empire. He has worked as advisor for Sephardic organization in the United States, France, Turkey and Israel. Well known as an international advocate for Sephardic Jewry, Mr. Alfassá's efforts with the U.S. Congress have led to historic and legal advancement for Sephardic Jews in the United States as well as around the world. He is the author and editor of several books including: A Window Into Old Jerusalem, Ethnic Sephardic Jews in the Medical Literature, and Reference Guide to the Nazis and Arabs During the Holocaust.

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