The Capsule Exhibit

"At the Crossroads of Sefarad, In the Footsteps of the Crypto Jews" is a first of its kind Capsule (mobile) Exhibit detailing the Saga of Sefarad (the Jews of the Iberian Peninsula). The exhibit is being produced in a collaborative parentship between the ANU Museum of the Jewish People (previously Beit Hatfutsot) located at Tel Aviv University campus in Tel Aviv, and Jewish Heritage Alliance, and supported by the Portuguese Government Tourism Authority of Porto. This initiative will bring much needed attention to the story of Sefarad.

ANU, the Museum of the Jewish People is a well-respected, accomplished, global institution, focused on telling the ongoing story of the Jewish people to people of all faiths. Jewish Heritage Alliance is a global platform, representing alliance members worldwide, with a mission to research and deliver the story of Sefarad to the Public Domain.

The mobility of the Capsule Exhibit offers a unique opportunity to engage the world with the saga of Sefarad by distributing and sharing the story around the globe. The exhibit will also serve as launching pads for educational programs in schools and other types of learning institutions, community centers, synagogues, and churches, as well as other museums around the world.

EXHIBIT VIDEO INTRODUCTION AT
TEMPLE EMANU-EL STEICKER CENTER

A VIDEO SUMMERY OF THE EXHIBIT
TEMPLE EMANU-EL STEICKER CENTER

At the Crossroads of Sefarad

In the Footsteps of the Crypto Jews

The Saga of Sefarad is a profound narrative detailing historical events and exploits of the Jews that lived in the Iberian Peninsula, nowadays, Portugal and Spain. Jewish Heritage Alliance is proud to join forces with ANU Museum of the Jewish People (previously Beit Hatfutsot) in creating a first of its kind mobile Capsule Exhibit, illustrating the Saga of the Jews of Sefarad. The exhibit will depict this compelling story and all its complexities. From the early beginnings, when the Jews first arrived at the Iberian Peninsula, through the enduring precarious periods and events, including the "Golden Age", one of the greatest periods of Jewish history, a period of immense achievements, followed by the tragedy of the persecutions, massacres, Inquisitions, forced conversions wherein thousands of Jews were forced to convert to Christianity (Bnei Anusim, Conversos; Marranos; Crypto Jews), ending with the expulsion and exile. The Exhibit follows in the footsteps of the exiles, illustrating how these brave, tenacious people settled, flourished, and contributed to creation of a new world; and how many of the conversos tried to keep their faith for generations under disguise as Christians.

The story of Sefarad is illustrated on panels consisting of pictures and text that will be available via PDF files (portable document format) allowing delivery of the exhibit electronically across the globe. The story is presented by dates, events, and people relevant to the Sefarad experience. The exhibit will feature stories of events and people, including giants such as Maimonides, Menashe Ben Israel, Dona Gracia Nasi and other important personas.

At the Crossroads of Sefarad, In the

Footsteps of the Crypto-Jews

"At the Crossroads of Sefarad, In the Footsteps of the Crypto Jews" is a first of its kind Capsule (mobile) Exhibit detailing the Saga of Sefarad (the Jews of the Iberian Peninsula). The exhibit was produced as a collaborative partnership between the ANU Museum of the Jewish People (previously Beit Hatfutsot) located at Tel Aviv, and Jewish Heritage Alliance, and supported by the Portuguese Government Tourism Authority of Porto. This initiative was intended to bring much needed attention to the story of Sefarad.

The mobility of the exhibit offers a unique opportunity to engage the world with the saga of Sefarad by distributing and sharing the story with Institutions and organizations around the globe. The exhibit will also serve as an educational tool in schools and other types of learning institutions, community centers, synagogues, and churches, as well as other museums around the world.

The exhibit was first announced on November 12, 2019, at the ANU Museum (then called Bet Hatfutsot) in Tel Aviv. The formal launch was delayed due to Covid-19 and is made its US and World debut at the Bernard Museum of Judaica at the Temple Emanuel Stricker Center.

The Saga of Sefarad is a profound narrative detailing historical events and exploits of the Jews that lived in the Iberian Peninsula, nowadays, Portugal and Spain. Jewish Heritage Alliance is proud to join forces with ANU Museum of the Jewish People in creating a first of its kind mobile exhibit, illustrating the Saga of the Jews of Sefarad. The exhibit will depict this compelling story and all its complexities. From the early beginnings, when the Jews first arrived at the Iberian Peninsula, through the enduring precarious challenging periods and events, including the "Golden Age", one of the greatest periods of Jewish history, a period of immense achievements, followed by the tragedy of the persecutions, massacres, Inquisitions, forced conversions wherein thousands of Jews were forced to convert to Christianity (Bnei Anusim, Conversos; Marranos; Crypto Jews), ending with the expulsion and exile. The exhibit follows in the footsteps of the exiles, illustrating how these brave, tenacious people settled, flourished, and contributed to creation of a new world; and how many of the conversos tried to keep their faith for generations under disguise as Christians.  The exhibit depicts the Sefarad legacy by time, events and people, including giants such as Maimonides, Samuel HaNagid, Dona Gracia Nasi and other important personas.

Please note that we are launching an in-depth 44-segment educational webinar to detail the story beyond the scope of the artistic exhibit.

The Sefarad Capsule Exhibit

At the Crossroad of Sefarad Capsule Exhibit is a new initiative. The mobility of the Capsule Exhibit offers a unique opportunity to engage the world at large with the saga of Sefarad by distributing and sharing the story with Institutions and organizations around the globe. The exhibit will also serve as launching pad for educational programs in schools and other types of learning institutions, community centers, synagogues and churches, as well as other museums around the world.

The project was conceived by Michael Steinberger, Founder and CEO of Jewish Heritage Alliance, and Itamar Kremer, Educational Director at Beit Hatfutsot. The design and development of the exhibit is attributed to DR. Orit Shaham Gover, Chief Curator of Beit Hatfutsot and her devoted team - DR. Dvir Zur and DR.Meirav Balas. The project is supported by strategic partners, key among them is ATP (Porto and Northern Tourism Association), represented by Mr. Rui P. Gonçalves with aid and assistance of Mrs Ruth Calvão, board member of JHA and founding member of Centro de Estudos Judaicos de Trás -os- Montes (Center for Jewish Studies in Trás-os-Montes). The exhibition is endorsed by the President of the Portuguese Republic; the Portuguese Parliament, and the Spanish Jewish Network, as well as other public and private NGOs and Institutions worldwide.

The exhibit was presented on November 12, 2019 at Bet Hatfutsot Museum in Tel Aviv, with the formal launch to follow in Porto, Portugal in early 2020, and thereafter it will be available worldwide.

 

Michael Steinberger welcomes participants to the “At the Crossroads of Sefarad… In the Footsteps of the Crypto Jews” Capsule Exhibit Presentation at Beit Hatfutsot, Tel Aviv, Nov 12, 2019.

Michael Steinberger explains the Genesis and purposes of the mobile exhibit “At the Crossroads of Sefarad… In the Footsteps of the Crypto Jews” during the Exhibit Presentation at Beit Hatfutsot, Tel Aviv, Nov 12, 2019.

Michael Steinberger speaks about the importance of the exhibit “At the Crossroads of Sefarad… In the Footsteps of the Crypto Jews” as relating to present day Converso phenomenon at the Exhibit Presentation at Beit Hatfutsot, Tel Aviv, Nov 12, 2019.

Rui Pedro Goncalves, Executive Director Associação de Turismo do Porto (ATP), shares his enthusiasm and commitment to promoting Jewish heritage and the exhibit “At the Crossroads of Sefarad… In the Footsteps of the Crypto Jews” during the presentation at Beit Hatfutsot, Tel Aviv, Nov 12, 2019.

Itamar Kramer, Educational Director at Beit Hatfutsot worked closely with Michael Steinberger in developing the Capsule Exhibit, speaks to the importance of this project during the presentation of Nov 12, 2019 at Beit Hatfutsot in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Ruth Calvão, Member of JHA Board and founding member of Centro de Estudos Judaicos de Trás -os- Montes (Center for Jewish Studies in Trás-os-Montes, Iberian Historical and Cultural Routes), discussing the pride of the Bnei Anusim (Conversos) of their heritage and their significance in the saga of Sefarad.

Revital Blumenfeld, Director of Communications at Beit Hatfutsot, speaks to the objectives and relevance of the mobile exhibit in telling the rich and profound story of the Bnei Anusim.  Their tenacity in maintaining their Jewish identity in hiding and the journey back to Judaism in some cases.

Dr. Joel (Yoel) Rappel, professor at Bar Ilan University in Tel Aviv, also director of the Eli Wiesel Archive at Boston University, affirms the significance of the exhibit during the presentation of Nov 12, 2019.

Beit Hatfutsot Capsule Displays