This is the Story of Hidden and Forcibly Converted Jews called
Crypto Jews, Anussim, Marranos, Conversos, Chuetas (Xuetas), Neofiti, Jadid al-Islam
and New Christians
Hundreds of thousands of Spanish and Portuguese Jews were converted to Christianity often
by torture or to avoid death. To Christians they were known as New Christians
If
Moslem they were called Moriscos.
To escape the Inquisition many practised Judaism
in secret. Many returned to Judaism when outside Inquisitorial power. 500 years later
many are still returning to Judaism
THIS SITE IS THEIR STORY
Background (see Button Bar on the Left)
Barros Basto who revived Judaism in Northern Portugal founded the wonderful synagogue
in Porto and has become the Drefus of Portugal
Dona Gracia Mendes one of the greatest women in Jewish history The only person to
have reacted to a pogrom by organising the boycott of an Italian port (Ancona)
Jewish Pirates who Attacked Spanish Galleons in the Caribbean
The Cantonists and Israel Itzkovich: Forced Conversion in 19th Century Russia
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