I just got the news of new breakthroughs in the DNA testing of Hispanic/Latinos and how many of them happen to have Sephardic Jewish roots tracing back hundreds of years. (By the way, you can visit our website and find a way in which you, too, can join a viable DNA test to discover your own ancestry – www.4sephardim.com.)
Who would’ve thought just 20 years ago that this forgotten group of Jews would find their way back to their roots after 500 years? Since the expulsion of Jews during the Spanish Inquisition in 1492, there are now well over 500 million Hispanic-Latinos in the Americas today. (By this I mean in the USA, Mexico and all of Latin America and certain islands of the Caribbean.)
Experts say at least 10% of them have Sephardic Jewish roots.
Imagine what this means in terms of numbers. For example, let’s take a quick peek at today’s population of Hispanic/Latinos in a few countries:
…USA - 45 million
…Mexico – 106 million
…Puerto Rico – 4 million
…Cuba – 11 million
…Chile – 20 million
…Argentina – 40 million
…Brazil – 192 million
Many of those with Jewish roots are professionals, business owners and business people. Many are highly skilled in masonry, electrical, plumbing and mechanical areas. Others are skilled in high-tech, media and communications; and hosts of them are skilled in service delivery of every conceivable kind.
Thousands of them yearn to get reconnected to the land of their forefathers –Israel.
Two dozen are presently waiting for a final word from the Jewish Agency regarding their Israeli citizenship.
Another 30 or more will be on track to apply for citizenship within the next few months.
Approximately 1000 others are preparing to get on track to make aliyah within the next year or two.
A common denominator they all have is to see the Negev Desert blossom as Ancient Prophets have foretold. (An example of this is found in the Prophet Isaiah’s book, chapter 35 and Obadiah 1:20-21.)
We have personally witnessed extraordinary things already taking place in the Negev in the last few years! A few of these amazing developments include:
-- construction of a huge military base in the heart of the Negev…
-- relocating of all bases from the north to the Negev…
-- building a light railway from northern Israel through the Negev…
-- extension of a major highway from the north through the Negev…
-- construction of a major airport in the Negev…
-- building new kibbutzim, villages and suburbs in Beer Sheba…
-- expansion in Sde Boker in the fields of desert research, solar energy, military
training, Ben Gurion Heritage Institute…
-- new and expanded archaeological excavations in the land of patriarchs, the Negev.
I’m often asked, "Are there others doing what you and Helen do? My reluctant response is, Well, yes and no, but mostly no. We’re the only ones that are engaged in a most comprehensive way which focuses on Hispanic/Latinos with Jewish roots, their Aliyah and their participation in making the Negev Desert to blossom."
I’m also asked, "Do you have special funding for what you do?"
My answer is instantly, "No – we do not have any funding. We do not have any congregation, foundation or institution underwriting what we do. We depend on God to awaken those who are directed to help us with donation and offerings of good faith and love."
We need your support. Please make your donations payable to:
Aliyah Sephardic Center – PO Box 75 – Helotes, Texas 78023.
Or go to www.4sephardim.com and send your donation via Paypal.
While there, be sure to check out our books and DVDs on the subject.
Shalom, shalom,
Dell
PS, Don’t forget to pass the word to your family and friends about this blog and our website.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
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