"May God in the near future , we can live in freedom Easter , as heartfelt as this our Marrano Passover" . By Isaiah Leo Kremer.

"La Pascua Marrana" is a Jewish traditional story transmitted orally by tens of generations of the Cohen family, to make it public one of its members, Leon Cohen Bello. The story was published in 2001 by Isaiah Leo Kremer in his work of every village a peasant. The oral tradition is starring Don José Manuel Rojas and Mejia, a member of the anusim and has been picked up by international Jewish organizations like the Center for Sephardic Studies (Caracas, Venezuela), La Boz Sephardic (Lima, Peru), mifgash of WUPJ (World Union for Progressive Judaism) or the WZO (World Zionist Organization).

 We can place this story in Andalucia mid-sixteenth century, the Rojas(שחור) Jewish family is widely documented  for example there is a record of Sanlucar de Barrameda (Andalucia) in the seventeenth century with a list of  members of this anusim family. Members of this family came to the Canary Islands and got married with other anusim in the Canary Islands are a very high number of the descendants of this family.

 Many members of this family on the island of Tenerife took refuge in the area known as the Mountains (mountains of Anaga) in this area all population without foreign origins (not canarian)  has Rojas's ancestors .


Pascua Marrana

Today is the 16th day of the new moon of March . The pastor of dawn is hig still , the sounds of the night are still whispers that explode at dawn. I  Don José Manuel de la Santa Trinidad Rojas y Mejia , contemplate the night that is giving birth to the day of the Jewish Passover . My name is not a coincidence, since they were imposed to the New Christians , plus the surname Rojas is a reversal of letters SajoR ( black , in Hebrew ) and Mejia that is a derivation of Messiah , but this is something very hidden and very private , otherwise misfortune would befall me and my beloved family.

 I belong to the so-called "Marranos" for the holy church and I do everything possible to prove my Christian devotion . In fact my brother Fray Pedro Mejia Rojas is sacristan who has sacrificed more , because not only must live a life of hypocrisy and denial of their faith, but that was doomed to be a trunk without cuttings or seed for " honor " of his church. Today I shall attend Mass  and see my brother when placing the host in our mouths , knowing that we do that pushed by circumstances .

 Then Pedro comes on a donkey to the farm , and together on the banks of river water hit them with sticks of willow, reminding our patriarch Moses in the desert. Not is good  I do this but there is something very deep in me that makes I do this. Perhaps it was the respect for my elders. But no, It's something that came from my more than for them, for love rather than by compromise. I have a farm where I salted and leather tanning.

 As much staff I require , I'm usually in slave auctions . There my server : the mulatto Lucas , whom no one would suspect Marrano origin (in fact does not) , approaches the poor wretches review as simulated inspect mouth and ears in a low voice tells the " Shema Israel " , ( hear Israel) to what many stunned respond and seized by emotion. These are slaves to buy for my farm and especially brought slaves from Portugal and Brazil who respond positively to the password.

 Today , Easter night , all those , "slaves" who work with me know they will be released from obligation, because after telling about our slavery in Egypt , we say : ! Now we are free ! , Although I know that we are still ,  prisoners.I buy to pirate groups who sell without going through any market , and these are the Judaizers suspects were brought before the Holy tribunal of Spain and that captured at  the sea. In order to address these " Shopping" I help family members Priest ( Cohen ) and Viel ( investment letters Levi ) , who are in the same condition as me.

 During the week we burn a lot of flour in the oven so that no one suspects that we will not eat bread,  slipped among many baked a few of " skinny bread " who left without being seen and jealously guarded in the basement of the house, order to have matzah ( unleavened bread ) for the night. I choose personally the lambs animals without defect, I take knives without despostar dent and after , put the meat in salt water and not forgetting splashing with bloody knives on doorposts as my ancestors did . I would accompany this with the appropriate blessings .

Now comes the dinner . Peter look in the false bottom of the chapel  a very old book what I never read , but my brother if , and in turn teach my son to do so. I send Lucas  and under the pretext of putting lime , low in the hammock until the second wedging where there hides a cup carved a small prayer shawl and a skullcap with the Star of David . Also a piece of parchment I found in an old family chest as I think it is written in Hebrew and I hide until it can be translate . Under the basement. The strong smell of leather  permeates my nose , and table is covered by a white linen tablecloth , gleaming cup filled with wine and bread of poverty facing the bedside chair .

We all have fears and anxieties , my brother Peter is transformed , his eyes shine that is crying , my oldest son have a red skullcap looks at me with love and fear . . Oh boy! If I could protect you from the risk to expose you . But I can not , which assails me guilt. This fades when hear words I do not understand , but with a melody that awakens in my memories of experiences that I  don't lived . My son gets up and sings a few sentences  for me and my guests. But to hear them all  break to mourn .

 My brother , now without his crucifix seems rid of his oppressive yoke , stands , covers me with the old stripes shawl  who belonged I ignore . But to wrap myself in the strange feel a warmth in my whole being .God  all powerful, why can not we feel like today for forever? Why should we lie daily about our faith ? How many of us follow your ways and how many will turn away forever from your path ? I wish I could see a future populated as brothers speak freely as Jews. Children of your chosen people. We invade the silence .

 We all cried at this event , which should be of joy for the freedom achieved . I ask my brother the sacristan if he can translate the old parchment. The difficulty unfolds and reads the letters that erases time, and read on speaker

Veatá ahinu bnei Avadim Jorim , Baruch atah adonay Eloheinu , vehigiyanu Shehecheyanu vekimanu
Laz'man hazeh

 We were slaves and now we are free ,  blessed that you allowed us to come and live in this time.

Want God in the near future , my children and their children can live in freedom his Easter ,  feel like this " our Marrana Passover " .

The last update was on an article by Gloria Mound, executive director of "Casa Shalom Institute for Marrano - Annusim Studies" in Gan Yavne, Israel. In this article she talked about the islanders (isleneos) as the ancestors of the Bnei Anussim in New Orleans, Colombia or brazil for example.

There are very many evidence that many of these islanders are Anussim. It is true that many documents that prove their origin were lost in the hurricane Katrina, but still today arrive to Canary Islands from the United States, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, or other countries descendants of these families looking for their Anussim ancestors.

The search is not easy but usually they manage to find the connection with their ancestors Jews,after this they return to their country, where many rabbis make it possible for these people to do Teshuva and return to the path of their ancestors.

In North America it is not difficult to do this process and in South America there are organizations as Shavei Israel working to help to return. Noted that many of these organizations agree only allow return to the Orthodox tradition.

Unfortunately in The Canary Islands place of origin of the major part of these islanders nothing is done, and the return process becomes very complicated
I hope in the future this change.

The Sephardic Jewish link to the Canary Islands. February 23st, 2009 by GLORIA MOUND to The Jerusalem Post. The writer is Executive Director of "Casa Shalom Institute for Marrano - Annusim Studies" in Gan Yavne, Israel .

The recent article by Jonathan Beck in The Jerusalem Post ( " In the warm Tenerife , away from the crowds , " from 1 February) it was lovely to read, but what a pity that is not made mention of the important connection of the Jews in the Canary Islands .

There is important documentation compiled by Lucian Wolf (published by the Jewish Historical Society of England in 1926 ) showing that during the Spanish Inquisition trial , there for the XV and XVII , very many Jews from Spain and Portugal lived and practiced their religion in this region.

There is still there a town called Synagogue where they were discovered substantial remains of the Jewish community , sadly neglected and destroyed by fire a few years ago .


More recent discoveries reveal how are you and the nearby Atlantic islands of Cape Verde and Madeira provided asylum and rest for Marrano- Annusim escaped from the Inquisition to the New World .

Most astonishing of all is that these Jews held a kind of brotherhood remote for hundreds of years between them. Those who came through the Canary Islands are known as the Isleneos .

In an era without telephones and faxes , had an amazing success in communication and long-distance link , continuing Jewish traditions and associations that continue to this day !

Despite the distances between them , put great emphasis on the organization of the marriages of their children and the conduct of international business .

A network of nearly uninterrupted from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia in the north to the islands of the Caribbean and New Orleans in the south , extending at times to Brazil and Colombia as well.

Unfortunately many valuable documents were lost during Hurricane Katrina , when the " New Orleans Isleneos Museum" was damaged , however , over these areas today are anusim that may not initially admit aliens who are of Jewish origin, because are an exceptionally insular people .

The most telling sign is the number of them who speak Ladino ( Judeo - Spanish ) , the language that those who left Spain took . Furthermore, Isleneos have a wonderful knowledge of the Ladino music and folk songs .

Unfortunately, when anusim Isleneos have asked to be accepted as part of the Jewish community , many rabbis have rejected instead of helping to resolve difficult questions of conversion and identity.

The Bnei Anusim observe Yom Kippur in 1593 "The birth of the Sephardic community in Amsterdam"

Two boats drifting helpless in the North Sea. High winds and stormy seas had damaged the rudder and the ships were at the mercy of the storm. Fortunately , the ships were brought to the shores of the Netherlands and finally found shelter in a bay Dutch .

Among the passengers of the ships were ten families of refugees from Spain . Spanish seemed to be noble , but they were actually undercover Marranos - Jews - who were still loyal to their faith despite the persecutions of the Inquisition . First of all they were Christians , but secretly observed the Jewish faith and its festivals . Life in Spain , however , it was impossible for them , as agents of the feared Inquisition constantly watched , and anyone suspected of any precept that practiced Jew was burned alive at the stake , and his fortune was confiscated and given to the Church. And so, these ten families had hired boats and fled Spain looking for a friendly country , where they could shed his disguise and be hateful Jews openly and freely . Divine Providence led them to the coast of Holland , who not long before had been liberated from Spanish rule.

These Jewish families were among the noblest and richest of Castile ( Spain ) . They were fortunate to take many of their possessions , gold , silver, and household goods.

While the boats were repaired , the Marranos assail their possessions and rented rooms at bay. After a good night's rest, one of the passengers , with his son, he was to walk into the street. Passed a butcher shop , where a good duck hanging in the window with a sign that had two words in Hebrew -  kosher meat . The boy had never seen such a script before . " What strange language is this?" asked to his father.

"Shut up ! " replied his father, and the boy wondered why his father 's face had paled suddenly.

They returned immediately and the father asked the innkeeper : " Are there Jews in this place, and are allowed to live in peace ? "

" Yes , sir , " replied the innkeeper. " Since our country was freed from the yoke of their country twelve years ago, in 1581 , has become a free country where anyone can live in peace and worship their Gd according to their faith. "

These were wonderful news , and Mr continued , asking the landlord if there was a rabbi in the community , and if maybe I could introduce him .

" Certainly , sir. Gladly 'll take you where the Rabbi .He 's A good gentleman , loved by all. His name is Rabbi Moshe Uri, " said the landlord .

Two elders of the Marranos lost no time and went to see the Rabbi .

Ashkenazi Rabbi Moshe Uri had come from Germany and the small Jewish community in the bay Dutch had welcomed him and had honored him for his knowledge and his kindness to all . When the two Spanish nobles came to see them , were received in a very friendly , but I could not understand their language. His son Aaron served as interpreter .

"You can speak freely , gentlemen , " said the Rabbi , " as this is my son Aaron. "

The two Marranos Rabbi told him who they were, and how they came to this city. " We return to our faith and meet with our people. For many years we risked our lives to remain loyal to our Gd and our Torah , but could not do much under the watchful eyes of the Inquisition . Many of us ignore the Torah we are not circumcised , our children do not even know the Aleph - Bet. But the fire of devotion to Gd still burns in our hearts. Help us, Rabbi , to return to our people. "

Rabbi Moshe Uri heard her story , I was moved to tears . When their horror story about what had happened in the shadow of the Inquisition , Rabbi replied : "My dear brothers , in this place is not advisable to stay. There are very few Jews here , and your arrival and has drawn attention town.

Country people suspected of Spanish and that we could bring problems . However, the city of Amsterdam not far. There is a large Jewish community there. Go to Amsterdam and rented rooms , and Hang a red bow window . In a few days and I will get circumcision to all the men and boys to include you in the covenant of our father Abraham . Then we will teach you all you have to know about our faith , and live with us as brothers . "

The Marranos followed the advice of Rabbi . In time , Rabbi Moshe Uri and his son Aaron came to Amsterdam and went to the Junkerstraat . Soon embraced with affection the Marranos . The brit (circumcision ) took place quietly . The first to enter the Covenant of Abraham our father was Don Jacob Tirado, the oldest and noblest of all . Then one by one they were all circumcised.

After he recovered , Rabbi Moshe Uri and his son began to teach them all that the Jews have to know about your faith , how to pray from the siddur , say the blessings , wearing tefillin , and so on, and learned Spanish Jews with diligence and devotion , until they no longer needed the services of Rabbi Moshe Uri. He warned their Spanish brothers , relatives and friends, secretly informing how lucky they were in Holland, and urging them to join them . Thus, the small Spanish Jewish community grew under the leadership of Don Jacob Tirado. They lived quietly , trying not to draw much attention, since the fear of the Inquisition was still very strong in their hearts.

Then came the Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The Marranos in Spain always observed the Day of Atonement. They used to meet in the basements of their homes to pray to Gd in this , the most solemn day of the year. Now, in the free Netherlands, it was not necessary to do it in secret, but still they were afraid that the long arm of the Inquisition catch them here . So shut the doors of his synagogue and prayed to Gd as never before.

The neighbors , who had noticed that many Spanish were grouped in one place , closing the door , and then out strange noises , became suspicious . We notified the Governor of the city on the secret meeting , certain that there was a plot against the free country of Holland , to recapturing for the King of Spain .

The Governor himself led a platoon of soldiers to Junkerstraat . Hit the closed doors saying : "Open in the name of the law! "

The faithful were about to die of fright . Someone shouted, "The Inquisition is here! " and there was a terrible panic among the frightened faithful , who began to jump out of windows to escape , but most were surrounded and captured.

Only the venerable Jacob Tirado remained without fear to face the intruders . The soldiers searched the place looking for weapons , but found nothing but prayer books and talit .

"Who are you , and what are you doing in this place so secretly ? " Governor demanded .

Not speaking Dutch , Don Jacob Tirado told to the Governor in Latin. He told her who they were, how they had escaped the terrible Inquisition , and how they would don't want their ugly wings this extendiese this peaceful and free state. Also told that this was the holiest day for Jews , the Day of Atonement , and had gathered to pray to Gd. But fear of the Inquisition was so strong in their hearts they still met in secret to pray. Don Jacob Tirado also told the Governor that were useful and peaceful citizens , they would not be a public charge, but the opposite, since they had brought with them wealth and trade were already developing for the good of the country .

The Governor was impressed by the words of Jacob Tirado. We shook hands, he said we were welcome and more like they would be welcomed in the free Netherlands. "You can worship your Gd here in freedom and without fear. Pray also for us, " he said upon leaving, with a friendly smile.

It was a great day for the emerging community of Spanish Jews in Amsterdam. Finally freed from their fear . Soon really built a synagogue , which bore the name " Beit Jacob " for their beloved leader, Jacob Tirado. One of the first Rabbis of the growing community of Spanish and Portuguese Jews in Amsterdam any of the most important Rabbi of this community was the famous Rabbi Manasseh ben Israel.

Connection between Yom Kippur and Bnei anusim

Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov, The Book of Our Heritage, Vol. I, pp. 83-84 – “Permitting praying with transgressors” is based on the Spanish Inquisition.

The declaration made before the recital of Kol Nidrei [We permit prayer with those who are transgressors] has its roots in the events that occurred at the time of the forced conversions imposed upon Spanish Jews. The Church subjected Spanish Jewry to harsh and cruel persecution, forcing them to renounce Judaism and accept Christianity. There were many among the Jews who, unable to withstand the cruel treatment, publicly accepted the new faith even though they continued to practice Judaism in secret, each one of them in his own hiding place, afraid to reveal their faith to others. All year these anusim [forced converts] refrained from gathering for religious worship, but on the night of Yom Kippur, they risked their lives and gathered in secret basements to accept upon themselves the sanctity of the day and to plead for Divine mercy for having appeared to be transgressors all year, for it is said that God never abhors the prayers of a multitude even if those praying are transgressors. It was in reference to them – those who were forced by circumstance to become transgressors – that the declaration was inserted into the prayers preceding Kol Nidrei. This declaration was passed down to us, for in our times too, there are many who come to the synagogue, who transgress throughout the year… The concept of blending the prayers of willful transgressors among Israel together with the prayers of the rest of our nation can be compared to the blending of chelbenah with the other prescribed ingredients in the preparation of the ketoret (incense) in the Beit ha-Mikdash (Temple). Our Sages (Keritot 6b) taught: Any fast that does not include the wicked among Israel [as part of those who fast] is not a fast, for though the odor of chelbenah was foul, it was listed in the Torah as one of the required ingredients of the ketoret. And Rashi says: “Learn from this that it should not appear to us unworthy to include in our midst – in our fasts and our prayer – the transgressors of Israel, so that they be counted among us” (Rashi, Shemot/Exodus 30). In memory of my ancestor Juan Hernandez Crespo condemned by the Inquisition for observe Yom Kippur.

The horrific memories of the Inquisition

This document includes the names of the persons burned in the process of the inquisition of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in 1526. The only person could escape of the fire was Constanza Garza because she died before to be burned.

Remembering our heritage

These days near Yom Kippur remember once again to Juan Hernandez Crespo accused by the Inquisition in the Canary Islands to keep the fast.

Remember also to Isabel Lopes killed by the Inquisition of Seville in 1502, but whose children survived in the Canaries.

There were many Jews who survived in the Canary Islands, which have become prominent figures in society and other Canarian some as farmers or ranchers. What is very remarkable and easily demonstrable is the ultra high intermarriage of these families until the early twentieth century. I can not ensure that all of these families were aware of their origin in the twentieth century but in many of these families are practices and customs of Sephardic Jewish world. Thanks to all of them to survive.

 Part of Crespo's family tree in Canary Islands

A note about Sephardic-Canary gastronomy

 The almogrote of La Gomera is the last remnant in our country of a sauce popular in Spain Sephardic called almodrote. The almodrote was made with three basic ingredients: aged cheese, roasted garlic and olive oil. The almodrote was popular in Sephardic cuisine of Spain and Portugal but disappeared entirely from the sixteenth century to the Iberian Peninsula. They ate mainly during Passover. The almodrote has survived in the Turkish and Greek Sephardic communities associated with other products, especially the eggplant.

As you know, many Sephardic Jews expelled by professing the Jewish faith landfall in North Africa, Greece (primarily Thessaloniki) and Istanbul. They could not keep material possessions at least took its gastronomic culture. The almodrote almogrote or as it is called in Greece or Istanbul survived on the island of La Gomera (Canary Islands) as further evidence of our heritage Sephardic.

Songs and poems Sephardim in Canary Islands

Thank to Rabbi Solomon Zrihen, to Maximiano Trapero, to Professor Mendez Pidal and many others for collecting this musical heritage of our ancestors. A further proof of the connection between Canary Islands and Sephardic world. These songs are sung still in Canary as a reminder of our past. These are only a small sample. Other songs Sephardim in the Canary Islands are: El rapto, Endechas, Arroro, Canto del vivo,etc

El rey Fernando en Francia (ó)

 Rey Fernando, Rey Fernando, de Toledo y Aragón,
2 con cientos de sus soldados dentro de la Francia entró.
 Halló la Francia revuelta y cuanto más la apaciguó
4 a su hermano Don Alonso en prisiones lo encerró.
 Después que lo aprisionara mandó soltar un pregón
6 que todo el que por él hablara su alma estará en prisión.
 Su hermana que tal oyera a la Corte se arrindió:
8 ─Don Fernando, Don Fernando, vengo a pediros el perdón
 pa mi hermano Don Alonso que vos tenéis en prisión.
10 Cuando yo era chiquitita me ditis un bofetón
 y para que no llorara me prometitis un don
12 y ahora que ya soy grande quiero que me lo compléis vos.
 .........



Amnón y Tamar (áa)

 Un hijo tiene el rey David que de nombre Amnón se llama,
 namoróse de Tamar aunque era su propia hermana.
 Fuertes fueron los amores, malito cayó en la cama;
 un día por la mañana su padre a verle entrara.
─¿Qué tienes tú, hijo Amnón, hijo mío de mi alma?
 ─Malo estoy yo, mi padre, malo estoy y no como nada.
─¿Qué quieres tú, hijo Amnón, hijo mío de mi alma?
 ─Yo comería una pava si Tamar me lo guisara.
─Yo se lo diré a Tamar que la guise y te la traiga.
 .........


Blancaflor (á)
─¿Por qué lloras, Blancaniña, por qué lloras, Blancaflor?
 ─Lloro por vos, caballero, que vos vais y me dejáis;
 me dejáis chica y muchacha, chiquita y de poca edad.
 Tres hermanos chicos tengo, lloran y me piden pan.
 ..........


La  cautiva (ía)

 La reina Sherica mora, la que mora en la Almería,
 dice que tiene deseos de una cristiana cautiva.
 Los moros que tal oyeran de la corte partirían,
 unos parten para Francia y otros para la Almería.


Diego León (áa)

 En la ciudad de Toledo y en la ciudad de Granada
 se ha criado un mancebo que Diego León se llama,
 delgadito de cintura, morenito de su cara.
 Este tal se enamoró de una muy rica y muy guapa,
 ...........
 el día que no se ven no les aprovecha nada,
 ni les aprovecha el dinero con que León negociaba.
 Un día por la mañana dijo León a su dama:
 ─Mañana te he de pedir a tu padre, mi amada,
 ...........
─Don Diego, deime a su hija, a su hija regalada.
 ─El que mi yerno ha de ser ha de menester que traiga
 de caudal cien mil duquados y otros tantos de oro y plata.─
 Por hacer burla del caso a su hija lo contara.
─Padre, caséime con él aunque nunca me deis nada,
 que los bienes de este mundo Dios los quita y Dios los daba.
 ..........
 Alquiló siete valientes para que a León mataran.
 León a los tres mató y el otro se tiró al agua
 y a la mañana siguiente las ricas bodas se armaran.
El Paipero (ó)
 .........
─¿Qu'es de esto, Fray Pedro, qu'es de esto, señor,
 qu'es de esto que asoma por el mirador.
─Estas son las balas de la munición
 y esta es la escopeta con que cazo yo.─
 Ciento veinte damas todas las empreñó
 menos la cocinera que se le escapó.
 Y entre los anapes allí la desvirgó
 .........
"Hunting for Rare Romances in the Canary Islands",
Hispanic Balladry Today (ed. R.H. Webber). Garland Publishing, Inc. New YordLondon, 1989, 116-148.