This is a bilingual message – the Spanish version follows below
Este es un mensaje bilingüe – La versión en español sigue abajo
There is much confusion regarding what a Sephardic Anusim individual is to look like in terms of his spirituality and his faith. So recently, I posed one important question to the members of ACA (Anusim Coalition of the Americas).
The question I asked was:
“What’s the similarity and difference between a Sephardic Anusim believer (in Yeshua) and a Messianic believer?”
The responses I received through various sources confirmed the vastness and confusion pertaining to this question. So I’ve decided to point out some of the similarities and differences that were sent to me in response to my mini survey; and to also add my personal observations and assessment about this important matter.
I’ll begin with the similarities and end with the differences between a Sephardic Anusim believer and a Messianic believer.
SIMILARITIES
1. Both believe in Yeshua as Messiah.
2. Both believe Messiah is coming back.
3. Both believe in Old Testament (Tanakh) and the New Testament.
4. Both believe that their redemption comes through Messiah Yeshua.
5. Both believe that in some mysterious way, they’re connected to Israel—but in different ways.
6. Etc…
DIFFERENCES
1. Anusim is of an Iberian Sephardic ancestry (Spain and Portugal)—the ancestral roots of most Messianic believers are from other countries.
2. Anusim is of Jewish ancestry—most non-Sephardic Messianics are of a Gentile ancestry. (However, there are a number of Messianic believers that were born and reared in Jewish homes.)
3. The Anusim are descendants of secret Jews who are survivors of the Inquisitions (including Spain, Portugal, Mexico and other Latin American countries)—non-Sephardic Messianic believer’s ancestors did not experience such Inquisitions.
4. Anusim’s language of origin is Spanish—the language of origin of most non-Sephardic Messianics is English or some other language.
5. Most Anusim were born into Catholic homes—non-Sephardic Messianic believers were born into homes of some Protestant branch such as Evangelical.
(Notwithstanding, many of today’s Sephardic Anusim have transferred their loyalties to an Evangelical faith.)
6. The majority of today’s Anusim have been awakening to their true roots within the last 5 to 15 years—non-Sephardic Messianics have been around for many generations.
7. Todays’ Anusim are much more willing to commune with their Jewish family (Judaism) than non-Sephardic Messianic believers.
8. Anusim yearns to someday live in the Negev of Israel—the majority of non-Sephardic Messianics are not interested in living in the Negev of Israel.
9. Today’s Sephardic Anusim are more interested in living in relationship with their (non-Messianic) Jewish family without impressing them with their pro-Yeshua persuasion—Messianic believers, for the most part, are interested in getting them “saved” and converted to a Messianic lifestyle.
10. Today’s Anusim is found all across the Northern Hemisphere (of the Americas) particularly in the Southwest of the USA and all of Latin America—Messianic believers are found throughout the globe
11. Many more Anusim are meeting in small clusters such as homes or private facilities—Messianic believers gravitate around church/synagogue-like congregations and facilities.
12. Anusim aligns itself more with the House of Judah than with the House of Joseph/Ephraim because their ancient origins are from the Southern Kingdom of Judah—a growing number of non-Sephardic Messianic believers are aligning themselves with “The House of Joseph” also known as “Ephraimites.” Nevertheless, many other Messianic believers disavow today’s Ephraimite theology and hold fast to a “one house” theology of Judah. (I must declare that I’m simply reporting and not taking sides on these sensitive issues.)
There are many more similarities and differences but suffice it to say that the one common bond they both adhere to is faith in Yeshua. (Here again, I must say that I’m merely reporting and not trying to persuade in any which direction.)
I believe there are two or three vital points I wish to leave with the reader:
One, we must strive for unity in the bonds of peace.
Two, we must not attempt to smother members of the Sephardic Anusim with theological biases or persuasions but to simply share the main pillars of what makes a him/her a believer with Jewish roots; in other words, what’s their distinctive as a believer with a Sephardic Anusim heritage.
Three, we need to point out that the pillars which the majority of Christian churches have neglected to teach on are: the essence/importance of Torah also known as the Pentateuch; adherence to Shabbat and the Feasts of the Lord; and a genuine holy lifestyle.
My closing word is that we’re to strongly encourage one another as the Hebrew Chumash (Torah) reads at the ending of each book of the Torah. Here’s what it says:
“CHAZAK, CHAZAK, VENISCHAZEIK.”
“Be strong, be strong and we shall be strengthened.”
Shalom en EL,
Dell
PS, I’m in the process of editing my latest book (“Out from Hiding—Evidences of Sephardic roots among Latinos”) in its Spanish version. Its title is: “SURGIENDO DEL ESCONDITE—Evidencias de raíces Sefardíes entre Latinos.” If you’re interested in obtaining a copy, send me an email: www.negevdell@hotmail.com.
AHORA SIGUE LA VERSION EN ESPAÑOL
¿QUE ES LA DIFERENCIA ENTRE UN SEFARDI ANUSIM CREYENTE
Y UN MESIANICO CREYENTE?
Existe mucha confusión tocante lo que debe parecer un Sefardita Anusim creyente en términos de su espiritualidad y su creencia. Así es que recientemente hice una pregunta importante a los miembros de ACA--Anusim Coalición de las Américas. (Entre paréntesis, si usted esta interesado en posiblemente involucrarse con ACA, envíeme un email hoy.)
La pregunta que propuse fue esta:
¿Que es la semejanza y la diferencia entre un Sefardí Anusim creyente (en Yeshua) y un Mesiánico creyente?
Las respuestas que recibí a través de varios medios confirmo lo vasto y la confusión perteneciendo a esta pregunta. Por lo tanto, he decidido hacer hincapié de algunas de las semejanzas y diferencias que me fueron enviados—y añadir mis observaciones y asesoramientos personales tocantes a esta pregunta.
Empezare con las semejanzas y terminare con las diferencias entre los creyentes Sefardí Anusim y los Mesiánicos creyentes.
SEMEJANZAS
1. Ambos creen en Yeshua como Mesias.
2. Ambos creen que el Mesias regresara.
3. Ambos creen en el Antiguo Testamento (Tanakh) y el Nuevo Testamento.
4. Ambos creen que la redención viene a través del Mesias Yeshua.
5. Ambos creen que en algún aspecto misterioso serán conectados con Israel, pero en diferentes maneras.
6. Etc…
DIFERENCIAS
1. El pueblo Anusim es de ancestros Sefardíes de Iberia (España y Portugal) —las raíces ancestrales de la mayoría de Mesiánicos creyentes son de otros países.
2. Anusim es de raíces ancestrales Judías—la mayoría de no-Sefardíes Mesiánicos son Gentiles ancestralmente.
3. El pueblo Anusim son descendientes de los Judios secretos que sobrevivieron las Inquisiciones (incluyendo España, Portugal, México y otros países de América Latina)—los ancestros de Mesiánicos que no son Sefardíes no experimentaron tales Inquisiciones.
4. El idioma principal del Anusim es Español—el idioma original de los no-Sefardíes Mesiánicos es Ingles o algún otro lenguaje.
5. La mayoría del Anusim nacieron en hogares Católicos—los Mesiánicos no Sefardíes nacieron en hogares Protestantes incluyendo congregaciones Evangélicas. (Una minoría nacieron en hogares Judías que practicaban el Judaísmo.)
6. La mayoría del Anusim de hoy han estado despertando a sus raíces reales dentro de los últimos 5 a 15 anos—los Mesiánicos no Sefardíes han existido por muchas generaciones.
7. El pueblo Anusim de hoy esta mas dispuesto a confraternizar con su familia Judía (Judaísmo) mas que los Mesiánicos no-Sefardíes.
8. El pueblo Anusim gime por algún día vivir en el Neguev de Israel—la mayoría de los no-Sefardíes Mesiánicos no tienen interés de tal cosa.
9. El pueblo Anusim de hoy están más interesados en vivir en relación con su familia Judía aunque no sean Mesiánicos…sin impresionarlos con tratar de salvarlos o convertirlos a un estilo de vida Mesiánica.
10. El Anusim de hoy se encuentra a través de los Estados Unidos, particularmente en el Suroeste de los Estados Unidos y a través de toda América Latina—Mesiánicos creyentes se encuentran por todo el globo terrestre.
11. Muchos más Anusim creyentes se están congregando en grupos pequeños como hogares y lugares privados—Mesiánicos creyentes prefieren las congregaciones y facilidades de una iglesia o sinagoga Mesiánica.
12. El pueblo Anusim se alinea mas con la Casa de Judá que con la Casa de José o Efraín porque sus origines ancestrales son del Reino del Sur, Judá—mas y mas Mesiánicos creyentes no-Sefardíes se están alineando con la Casa de José también llamados Efraimitas. No obstante, muchos otros Mesiánicos creyentes no aceptan la teología Efraimita y abrazan la teología de Una Casa es decir la Casa de Judá o Jacob. (Tengo que declarar que solamente estoy reportando datos y no tomando partidos en este asunto serio.)
Hay muchos mas puntos similares y diferentes pero esto es suficiente por hoy. La cosa que tienen mas en común es que ambos tienen fe en Yeshua. (De nuevo, solo estoy reportando y no predicando.)
Estoy convencido que existen dos o tres mas puntos vitales que deseo dejar con el que lee.
Uno--tenemos que esforzarnos a guardar la paz con sumo amor.
Dos--tenemos que tratar de no sofocar a los miembros del pueblo Sefardí Anusim con prejuicios teológicos y persuasiones sino debemos compartir los pilares fundamentales de lo que los hace creyentes con raíces Judías. En otras palabras, que su distintiva como creyente con una heredad Anusim Sefardí.
Tres--tenemos que apuntar a los pilares que la mayoría de las iglesias Cristianas han tomado por sentado y ensenarles: la esencia e importancia de la Tora que también es conocida como el Pentateuco. Tenemos que enseñar a que observen el Sábado (Shabbat) y las Fiestas del Señor, y vivir una vida genuinamente santa delante de Dios.
Mi palabra final es que nos animemos unos a los otros. El Chumash Hebreo (la Tora) nos enseña que al fin de cada libro de la Tora encontramos las siguientes palabras:
CHAZAK, CHAZAK, VENISCHAZEIK
Se fuerte, se fuerte y seremos fortalecidos.
Shalom en EL,
Dell
PS, estoy en el proceso de redactar mi último libro que llevara el titulo:
“SURGIENDO DEL ESCONDITE – Evidencias de raíces Sefardíes entre Latinos.”
Este libro provee un sin numero de evidencias que iluminara y animara al Pueblo Anusim tocante a sus raíces ancestrales. Comuníquese conmigo si esta interesado en obtener una copia: www.negevdell@hotmail.com.
Showing posts with label Anusim. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anusim. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
ANUSIM COALITION EXPANDING --- ANUSIM COALICION CRECIENDO
The Perfect Blend: Unity in Diversity ---- La Mescla Perfecta: Unidad en Diversidad
(La versión en español sigue abajo de la versión en inglés)
The new-born Anusim coalition is growing like a tsunami. Already we have 17 U.S. States and 6 foreign nations represented in ACA (ANUSIM COALITION of the AMERICAS). The point is that we’ve already expanded across the ocean into Italy. We have pending applications from other Latin American countries as well as Spain and Israel.
In all my years I’ve never seen a group of people with such commitment, passion and energy standing as one man. I’m reminded of Nehemiah 8:1--“…all the people gathered together as one man…” This is every leader’s heart desire—accentuating unity without usurping the beauty of diversity!
Our VISION is to attain a sincere communion between the descendants of Secret Jews (Anusim) in the Americas.
Our MISSION is the preparation for the coming days. (We know the days which are upon us are perilous, particularly for all persons with Jewish roots and for Israel.)
Our GOALS are:
1. Information – sending and receiving information regarding the People of Anusim
2. Fraternization – sharing histories and personal experiences
3. Connection with Zion and the Negev – news, reports and events related to Israel
and the Negev
The singular question es this: What’s so important about this coalition?
Despite the fact that this is the only coalition in the world which represents our Anusim People in all our historic and religious diversities, the major importance is found in two small verses of the Holy Scriptures—with many general references to the role of our people. These two verses are found in the Book of the Prophet Obadiah verses 20b and 21. It is there that the prophet explains to us that the exiles of Jerusalem shall occupy and possess the Negev. But in verse 21 he tells us that this group of Sephardim shall be part of an army that shall be involved in the liberation of Zion and the coming of Messiah. The great Prophet Isaiah tells us of a voice crying out in the Desert (Negev) of the urgency to prepare the way for Messiah. What we do not yet know is who this army includes, what’s our specific role and from what place are we to operate. (I have a study on this same subject which is for some other day.)
Meanwhile, many have asked if they must be able to prove their Jewish ancestry and the answer is no. Others have asked if being a Gentile would prohibit them from participating. Again the answer is no.
If you or someone you know might be interested in joining ACA, send me an email (negevdell@hotmail.com) and I’ll promptly send you our vision statement and a brief application that’ll take 2 minutes to fill out.
Expanding to fulfill our prophetic destiny,
Dell
Ahora sigue la versión en Español
ANUSIM COALICION CRECIENDO
La Mescla Perfecta: Unidad en Diversidad
La coalición Anusim recién nacida está creciendo como un tsunami. Ya tenemos 17 Estados de los Estados Unidos y 6 otros países representados en ACA (ANUSIM COALICION de las AMERICAS). El punto es que ya nos extendidos al cruzar la mar a Italia. Tenemos aplicaciones pendientes de varios otros países Latín Americanos como también España e Israel.
En todos mis años nunca he visto un grupo de gente tan cometidos, apasionados y llenos de energía de pie como un hombre. Esto me recuerda de las palabras en el Libro de Nehemías 8:1 donde dice que toda los Judios se unieron como un hombre. Este es el deseo del corazón de cada líder—acentuando la unidad sin usurpar la belleza de la diversidad.
Nuestra VISION es la comunión entre los descendientes de los Judios Secretos (Anusim) en las Américas
Nuestra MISION es de preparación para los días venideros
(Sabemos que los días en las cuales vivimos son peligrosos, particularmente para toda persona con raíces Judías y para Israel.)
Nuestras METAS incluyen:
1. Información – enviando y recibiendo información tocante al Pueblo Anusim
2. Fraternización – compartiendo historias y experiencias personales
3. Conexión con Sion y el Neguev – noticias, reportes y eventos tocantes a Israel y
su Neguev
La cuestión singular es esta: ¿Qué es tan importante lo de esta coalición?
A pesar de que esta es la única coalición en el mundo que representa al Pueblo Anusim en todas sus diversidades históricas y religiosas, la mayor importancia esta en dos pequeños versículos de las Sagradas Escrituras—con muchas referencias generales al papel de nuestra gente. Estos versículos están en el libro del Profeta Abdías versos 20b y 21. Allí nos explica el profeta que los descendientes de los exiliados de Jerusalén ocuparan y poseerán el Neguev. Pero el versículo 21 nos dice que este grupo de Sefarditas serán parte de un ejército que estará involucrado en la liberación de Sion y la venida del Mesías. El gran Profeta Isaías nos habla de la voz clamando (gimiendo) en el Desierto (Neguev) la urgencia de preparar el camino para el Mesías. Lo que no sabemos todavía es a quien incluye este ejército y que es el trabajo específico nuestro y desde que lugar debemos obrar. (Yo tengo un estudio sobre este mismo tema pero este asunto es para otro día.)
Mediante tiempo, muchos me han preguntado si tienen que probar sus raíces Judías para ser aceptados en esta coalición y mi respuesta es NO. Otros me han preguntado si siendo Gentil les prohíbe participar con nosotros y mi respuesta es NO.
Si usted o alguien quien usted conoce está interesado en unirse con nosotros en ACA, envíeme un correo electrónico (negevdell@hotmail.com) y prontamente le enviare nuestra visión y una aplicación breve que le tomara no más de 2 minutos para llenar. Regréseme la aplicación a negevdell@hotmail.com.
Extendiéndonos para cumplir nuestro destino profético,
Dell
(La versión en español sigue abajo de la versión en inglés)
The new-born Anusim coalition is growing like a tsunami. Already we have 17 U.S. States and 6 foreign nations represented in ACA (ANUSIM COALITION of the AMERICAS). The point is that we’ve already expanded across the ocean into Italy. We have pending applications from other Latin American countries as well as Spain and Israel.
In all my years I’ve never seen a group of people with such commitment, passion and energy standing as one man. I’m reminded of Nehemiah 8:1--“…all the people gathered together as one man…” This is every leader’s heart desire—accentuating unity without usurping the beauty of diversity!
Our VISION is to attain a sincere communion between the descendants of Secret Jews (Anusim) in the Americas.
Our MISSION is the preparation for the coming days. (We know the days which are upon us are perilous, particularly for all persons with Jewish roots and for Israel.)
Our GOALS are:
1. Information – sending and receiving information regarding the People of Anusim
2. Fraternization – sharing histories and personal experiences
3. Connection with Zion and the Negev – news, reports and events related to Israel
and the Negev
The singular question es this: What’s so important about this coalition?
Despite the fact that this is the only coalition in the world which represents our Anusim People in all our historic and religious diversities, the major importance is found in two small verses of the Holy Scriptures—with many general references to the role of our people. These two verses are found in the Book of the Prophet Obadiah verses 20b and 21. It is there that the prophet explains to us that the exiles of Jerusalem shall occupy and possess the Negev. But in verse 21 he tells us that this group of Sephardim shall be part of an army that shall be involved in the liberation of Zion and the coming of Messiah. The great Prophet Isaiah tells us of a voice crying out in the Desert (Negev) of the urgency to prepare the way for Messiah. What we do not yet know is who this army includes, what’s our specific role and from what place are we to operate. (I have a study on this same subject which is for some other day.)
Meanwhile, many have asked if they must be able to prove their Jewish ancestry and the answer is no. Others have asked if being a Gentile would prohibit them from participating. Again the answer is no.
If you or someone you know might be interested in joining ACA, send me an email (negevdell@hotmail.com) and I’ll promptly send you our vision statement and a brief application that’ll take 2 minutes to fill out.
Expanding to fulfill our prophetic destiny,
Dell
Ahora sigue la versión en Español
ANUSIM COALICION CRECIENDO
La Mescla Perfecta: Unidad en Diversidad
La coalición Anusim recién nacida está creciendo como un tsunami. Ya tenemos 17 Estados de los Estados Unidos y 6 otros países representados en ACA (ANUSIM COALICION de las AMERICAS). El punto es que ya nos extendidos al cruzar la mar a Italia. Tenemos aplicaciones pendientes de varios otros países Latín Americanos como también España e Israel.
En todos mis años nunca he visto un grupo de gente tan cometidos, apasionados y llenos de energía de pie como un hombre. Esto me recuerda de las palabras en el Libro de Nehemías 8:1 donde dice que toda los Judios se unieron como un hombre. Este es el deseo del corazón de cada líder—acentuando la unidad sin usurpar la belleza de la diversidad.
Nuestra VISION es la comunión entre los descendientes de los Judios Secretos (Anusim) en las Américas
Nuestra MISION es de preparación para los días venideros
(Sabemos que los días en las cuales vivimos son peligrosos, particularmente para toda persona con raíces Judías y para Israel.)
Nuestras METAS incluyen:
1. Información – enviando y recibiendo información tocante al Pueblo Anusim
2. Fraternización – compartiendo historias y experiencias personales
3. Conexión con Sion y el Neguev – noticias, reportes y eventos tocantes a Israel y
su Neguev
La cuestión singular es esta: ¿Qué es tan importante lo de esta coalición?
A pesar de que esta es la única coalición en el mundo que representa al Pueblo Anusim en todas sus diversidades históricas y religiosas, la mayor importancia esta en dos pequeños versículos de las Sagradas Escrituras—con muchas referencias generales al papel de nuestra gente. Estos versículos están en el libro del Profeta Abdías versos 20b y 21. Allí nos explica el profeta que los descendientes de los exiliados de Jerusalén ocuparan y poseerán el Neguev. Pero el versículo 21 nos dice que este grupo de Sefarditas serán parte de un ejército que estará involucrado en la liberación de Sion y la venida del Mesías. El gran Profeta Isaías nos habla de la voz clamando (gimiendo) en el Desierto (Neguev) la urgencia de preparar el camino para el Mesías. Lo que no sabemos todavía es a quien incluye este ejército y que es el trabajo específico nuestro y desde que lugar debemos obrar. (Yo tengo un estudio sobre este mismo tema pero este asunto es para otro día.)
Mediante tiempo, muchos me han preguntado si tienen que probar sus raíces Judías para ser aceptados en esta coalición y mi respuesta es NO. Otros me han preguntado si siendo Gentil les prohíbe participar con nosotros y mi respuesta es NO.
Si usted o alguien quien usted conoce está interesado en unirse con nosotros en ACA, envíeme un correo electrónico (negevdell@hotmail.com) y prontamente le enviare nuestra visión y una aplicación breve que le tomara no más de 2 minutos para llenar. Regréseme la aplicación a negevdell@hotmail.com.
Extendiéndonos para cumplir nuestro destino profético,
Dell
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
My Life - A bird’s eye view -- PART 1
Mi Vida – Un vistazo de pájaro
PART 1
This blog is in English and in Spanish -- Este blog esta en inglés y español
(La versión en español sigue abajo del inglés)
This is Part One of a synthesis of the discoveries I’ve made regarding my Sephardic Anusim roots.
Esta es Parte Uno de una síntesis de los descubrimientos que he hecho tocante a mis
raíces Sefardíes Anusim.
This is a bird’s eye view of my personal story which includes a tad of hard science/DNA, a dab of onomastics, another tad of genealogy and a ton of personal history.
It’s significant that after 15 years on this trek, finally, Israeli intelligentsia is hosting a conference on my people: THE WORLDWIDE AWAKENING OF THE DESCENDANTS OF SECRET JEWS (ANUSIM).
Introduction
My name is Delfino F. (Flores) Sanchez, also known as Dell since 1961. I’m the son of Delfino and Linda Sanchez, born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. I attended college and university here in town as well as in California. Helen and I have been married 48 years. We have three children, ten grandchildren and one great granddaughter named after Helen (Elena) which is quite Sephardic in custom.
I have served on the faculty of various colleges and universities including the Worden School of Social Services at Our Lady of the Lake University here in town, as well as Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. I founded and directed an educational television station (KHCE TV-23). During this time, I was head pastor for twenty-four years of a bilingual, Evangelical congregation in this city’s Westside where my father was the virtual founder in the mid 1950’s. I come from a long line of minsters on both sides of my parents.
Upon discovery of my true Sephardic Anusim heritage in 1996, I launched myself into a life of inquiry and investigation. Helen and I have traveled tens of thousands of miles during these years of discovery. Since then, we’ve traveled to many institutions of higher learning and archive centers all across the Southwest of the USA including Mexico, Spain and twice a year to Israel—in search of our roots.
Since then, I’ve published ten books, five of which are in English; four are translated into Spanish and one into German. My recent book is titled, “Out from Hiding—Evidences of Sephardic roots among Latinos.” This book is a micro synthesis of what we’ve learned in the last 15 years. I must say the knowledge of Sephardic Anusim roots was shocking to me but not to Helen. She and her entire extended family have forever known they’re Sephardic Anusim—descendants of the Secret Jews of Spain.
For thirty-five years, up until 1996, I always questioned the accuracy of Helen’s admission until I dug deep enough to confirm this truth. Alas, I’m a bona fide believer in my true roots and everything in my life has changed in a most profound and fulfilling way. My calendar has changed and so have my feasts and holidays…my friends and community has changed…my history and my destiny have changed…my place of worship has changed, some elements I wear to worship have changed…the food I eat and don’t eat has changed...the place of my ancestors’ origin has changed to Erez Israel; and a host of other significant customs, practices and behaviors have all dramatically changed. I’ll touch on just a few of these throughout my platica. Even my sense of belonging has changed. I know not only where I belong but that I belong because I’ve felt out of place all of my life up until now.
Bird’s Eye View of our ancestors’ origins
Before going into a few of my gazillion discoveries, let me say that DNA evidence points heavily to Spain as my maternal father as well as Helen’s maternal father’s recent origin going back a few hundred years. Recent DNA advances reveal that my father’s paternal side is from Tuscan, Italy; although our ancient origins point to a Uralic language with its center in areas of Finland.
Separate from our maternal ancestors coming from Iberia, some of our ancient ethnic origin of many of our ancestral women is Eurasia. It so happens that Asia ends and Europe begins in Turkey. However, I must point out that just north of Turkey is Russia; and we know Russia to be quite huge in size and diversity of cultures, races and religions. My private observation is that thousands of years ago, many of our maternal ancestors came from these regions of the world.
Through the centuries, the ancestors of Anusim women wound up in northeastern Mexico. Many centuries later, this region became the enormous Spanish Land Grant given to a(compassionate) Sephardic Conquistador, Don Luis de Carvajal y de la Cueva, and viceroy of El Nuevo Reino del Leon. Due to them marrying Anusim men, many of our maternal ancestors suffered in the Mexican as well as the New Mexican Inquisitions which were the “slow holocausts” of our ancestors.
Interestingly, Helen’s maternal ancestors lived many generations in La Nueva Galicia which includes northeastern Mexico, northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Her paternal ancestors were like my ancestors within El Nuevo Reino del Leon.
Helen’s maternal ancestors wound up in northern New Mexico, perhaps in Colonial days but certainly during the settlement of New Mexico in the 1600’s by Sephardic Anusim Jews under Don Juan de Onate and de Vargas. Meanwhile my ancestors crossed the Rio Grande during the tumultuous times between Mexico’s liberation from France and La Revolucion Mexicana and into south-central Texas.
Sephardic Anusim Intermarrying – TO BE CONTINUED LATER…
--YOU CAN FIND MUCH MORE DETAIL IN THE FIVE BOOKS I HAVE PUBLISHED ON THIS SUBJECT. FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO: www.4sephardim.com.
VERSION EN ESPANOL SIGUE
Mi Vida – My Life
Un vistazo de pájaro
PARTE 1
Historia de Dell F. Sánchez
Este es un vistazo de pájaro de mi vida personal que incluye un poco de la ciencia de ADN, un poco de onomásticas y otro poco de genealogía y un montón de historial personal.
Es significante que después de 15 años en esta senda, al fin de todo, la inteligencia Israeli está celebrando una conferencia sobre mi gente: EL DESPERTAMIENTO MUNDIAL DE LOS DESCENDIENTES DE LOS JUDIOS SECRETOS (ANUSIM).
Introducción
Mi nombre es Delfino F. (Flores) Sánchez, conocido como Dell desde 1961. Soy el hijo de Delfino y Linda Sánchez, nacido y criado en San Antonio, Texas. Atendí un colegio y universidad aquí en mi ciudad y también en California. Helen y yo tenemos 48 años de casados. Tenemos dos hijas y un hijo, diez nietos y una biznieta llamada como su bisabuela, mi esposa Helen (Elena), cosa que es muy común entre Sefardíes.
He servido en la facultad de varios colegios y universidades incluyendo el la escuela de servicio social (Worden) de la Universidad Our Lady of the Lake en San Antonio como también la Universidad del Estado de Arizona en Tempe. Funde y dirige una estación de televisión educacional (KHCE TV-23). Durante este tiempo, fui pastor por 24 años de una congregación Evangélica bilingüe en un barrio de mi ciudad nativa de San Antonio. Mi padre virtualmente fundo esta congregación en el año 1955. Desciendo de una línea larga de ministros en ambos lados de mis padres.
Cuando descubrí mi verdadera heredad Sefardí Anusim en 1996, me lance a una vida de búsqueda e investigación. Helen y yo hemos viajado decenares de miles de millas durante estos años de descubrimiento. Desde entonces hemos viajado a instituciones de alto aprendizaje y centros de archivos a través de todos los estados del Suroeste de los Estados Unidos incluyendo México, España y dos veces al año a Israel—en búsqueda de nuestras raíces.
Desde entonces, he publicado diez libros, cinco de los cuales están en inglés, cuatro están traducidos al español y uno en alemán. Mi reciente libro que solo está en ingles hasta que lo traduzca se intitula, Out from Hiding—Evidences of Sephardic roots among Latinos. Este libro es un micro síntesis de lo que hemos aprendido en los últimos 15 anos. Debo decir que el conocimiento de las raíces del Sefardim Anusim nos ha dado un choque por lo que hemos aprendido. No obstante, la familia entera de Helen para siempre han sabido que tienen raíces Sefardíes Anusim—y que son descendientes de los Judios secretos de España.
Por 35 años, hasta el año 1996, siempre cuestionaba la veracidad de la admisión de Helen tocante a sus raíces hasta que escarbe suficientemente para confirmar esta verdad. Al fin de todo, ahora soy un creyente en mis raíces verdaderas y todo en mi vida ha cambiado en una manera profunda que trae gran satisfacción a mi vida. Mi calendario ha cambiado y también las fiestas que celebro y los días santos…mi lugar de adoración ha cambiado, algunos elementos de los cuales me visto ha cambiado…la comida que comemos y no comemos ha cambiado…el lugar de orígenes de mis ancestros ha cambiado a Erez Israel, y un sin número de otras costumbres, prácticas y comportamientos han cambiado radicalmente. Después toco sobre estos puntos a través de esta platica. Aun mi perspectiva de donde pertenezco ha cambiado. Ahora no tan solo se dónde pertenezco pero donde no pertenezco también.
Un Vistazo de Pájaro de los Orígenes de Nuestros Ancestros
Antes de entrar en un sin número de descubrimientos, déjeme decir que la evidencia de ADN apunta marcadamente a España porque mi abuelo matero como también el abuelo materno de Helen apuntan a España a través de los últimos siglos. Recientemente, las evidencias de ADN revelan que mi abuelo paterno tiene firmes raíces en Tascan, Italia pero también con raíces Sefardíes. No obstante, las raíces de mi padre apuntan hacia Finlandia y países de lengua Uralic.
A parte de nuestros ancestros maternos viniendo de Iberia (España y Portugal), algunos de nuestros orígenes más antiguos vienen de Eurasia. Suele ser que donde termina Asia empieza Europa en Turquía. No obstante, debo decir que hacia el norte de Turquía esta Rusia. Y sabemos que Rusia es demasiado grande con gran diversidad de culturas, razas y religiones. Mi observación personal es que miles de años pasados, muchos de nuestros ancestros maternos vinieron de estas regiones del mundo.
A través de los siglos, los ancestros de las mujeres Anusim llegaron al noreste de México. Muchos siglos después, esta región se tornó en una enorme porción dada por el Rey Felipe II a Don Luis de Carvajal y de la Cueva. Don Luis era un Conquistador compasivo y virrey del Nuevo Reino del León, responsable directamente al Rey Felipe. Dado que muchas de estas mujeres casándose con hombre Anusim, muchas de nuestros ancestros sufrieron en la Inquisición Mexicana como también la Inquisición de Nuevo México cuales yo llamo los holocaustos lentos porque duraron cienes de anos.
Interesantemente, los ancestros maternos de Helen vivieron en muchas generaciones en La Nueva Galicia que incluye la parte noroeste de México, la parte norte de Nuevo México y el Sur de Colorado. Sus ancestros paternos eran tal como los míos del Nuevo Reino del León.
Los ancestros maternos de Helen se establecieron en el norte de Nuevo México, quizá durante los días Coloniales. Establecieron sus comunidades en Nuevo México durante el siglo 17 bajo la dirección de Don Juan de Oñate, un Sefardí Anusim. Esto fue durante días muy tumultuosos entre la liberación de México de Francia y la Revolucion Mexicana hasta la parte sur-central de Texas.
Casamiento Entre Sefardíes Anusim – PARA SER CONTINUADO DESPUES…
Nota Especial: mis cinco libros sobre este mismo tema discuten en mucho más detalle estos descubrimientos. Para más información, visite: www.4sephardim.com. (note arriba de la página primera la indicación para la versión en español)
PART 1
This blog is in English and in Spanish -- Este blog esta en inglés y español
(La versión en español sigue abajo del inglés)
This is Part One of a synthesis of the discoveries I’ve made regarding my Sephardic Anusim roots.
Esta es Parte Uno de una síntesis de los descubrimientos que he hecho tocante a mis
raíces Sefardíes Anusim.
This is a bird’s eye view of my personal story which includes a tad of hard science/DNA, a dab of onomastics, another tad of genealogy and a ton of personal history.
It’s significant that after 15 years on this trek, finally, Israeli intelligentsia is hosting a conference on my people: THE WORLDWIDE AWAKENING OF THE DESCENDANTS OF SECRET JEWS (ANUSIM).
Introduction
My name is Delfino F. (Flores) Sanchez, also known as Dell since 1961. I’m the son of Delfino and Linda Sanchez, born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. I attended college and university here in town as well as in California. Helen and I have been married 48 years. We have three children, ten grandchildren and one great granddaughter named after Helen (Elena) which is quite Sephardic in custom.
I have served on the faculty of various colleges and universities including the Worden School of Social Services at Our Lady of the Lake University here in town, as well as Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. I founded and directed an educational television station (KHCE TV-23). During this time, I was head pastor for twenty-four years of a bilingual, Evangelical congregation in this city’s Westside where my father was the virtual founder in the mid 1950’s. I come from a long line of minsters on both sides of my parents.
Upon discovery of my true Sephardic Anusim heritage in 1996, I launched myself into a life of inquiry and investigation. Helen and I have traveled tens of thousands of miles during these years of discovery. Since then, we’ve traveled to many institutions of higher learning and archive centers all across the Southwest of the USA including Mexico, Spain and twice a year to Israel—in search of our roots.
Since then, I’ve published ten books, five of which are in English; four are translated into Spanish and one into German. My recent book is titled, “Out from Hiding—Evidences of Sephardic roots among Latinos.” This book is a micro synthesis of what we’ve learned in the last 15 years. I must say the knowledge of Sephardic Anusim roots was shocking to me but not to Helen. She and her entire extended family have forever known they’re Sephardic Anusim—descendants of the Secret Jews of Spain.
For thirty-five years, up until 1996, I always questioned the accuracy of Helen’s admission until I dug deep enough to confirm this truth. Alas, I’m a bona fide believer in my true roots and everything in my life has changed in a most profound and fulfilling way. My calendar has changed and so have my feasts and holidays…my friends and community has changed…my history and my destiny have changed…my place of worship has changed, some elements I wear to worship have changed…the food I eat and don’t eat has changed...the place of my ancestors’ origin has changed to Erez Israel; and a host of other significant customs, practices and behaviors have all dramatically changed. I’ll touch on just a few of these throughout my platica. Even my sense of belonging has changed. I know not only where I belong but that I belong because I’ve felt out of place all of my life up until now.
Bird’s Eye View of our ancestors’ origins
Before going into a few of my gazillion discoveries, let me say that DNA evidence points heavily to Spain as my maternal father as well as Helen’s maternal father’s recent origin going back a few hundred years. Recent DNA advances reveal that my father’s paternal side is from Tuscan, Italy; although our ancient origins point to a Uralic language with its center in areas of Finland.
Separate from our maternal ancestors coming from Iberia, some of our ancient ethnic origin of many of our ancestral women is Eurasia. It so happens that Asia ends and Europe begins in Turkey. However, I must point out that just north of Turkey is Russia; and we know Russia to be quite huge in size and diversity of cultures, races and religions. My private observation is that thousands of years ago, many of our maternal ancestors came from these regions of the world.
Through the centuries, the ancestors of Anusim women wound up in northeastern Mexico. Many centuries later, this region became the enormous Spanish Land Grant given to a(compassionate) Sephardic Conquistador, Don Luis de Carvajal y de la Cueva, and viceroy of El Nuevo Reino del Leon. Due to them marrying Anusim men, many of our maternal ancestors suffered in the Mexican as well as the New Mexican Inquisitions which were the “slow holocausts” of our ancestors.
Interestingly, Helen’s maternal ancestors lived many generations in La Nueva Galicia which includes northeastern Mexico, northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Her paternal ancestors were like my ancestors within El Nuevo Reino del Leon.
Helen’s maternal ancestors wound up in northern New Mexico, perhaps in Colonial days but certainly during the settlement of New Mexico in the 1600’s by Sephardic Anusim Jews under Don Juan de Onate and de Vargas. Meanwhile my ancestors crossed the Rio Grande during the tumultuous times between Mexico’s liberation from France and La Revolucion Mexicana and into south-central Texas.
Sephardic Anusim Intermarrying – TO BE CONTINUED LATER…
--YOU CAN FIND MUCH MORE DETAIL IN THE FIVE BOOKS I HAVE PUBLISHED ON THIS SUBJECT. FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO: www.4sephardim.com.
VERSION EN ESPANOL SIGUE
Mi Vida – My Life
Un vistazo de pájaro
PARTE 1
Historia de Dell F. Sánchez
Este es un vistazo de pájaro de mi vida personal que incluye un poco de la ciencia de ADN, un poco de onomásticas y otro poco de genealogía y un montón de historial personal.
Es significante que después de 15 años en esta senda, al fin de todo, la inteligencia Israeli está celebrando una conferencia sobre mi gente: EL DESPERTAMIENTO MUNDIAL DE LOS DESCENDIENTES DE LOS JUDIOS SECRETOS (ANUSIM).
Introducción
Mi nombre es Delfino F. (Flores) Sánchez, conocido como Dell desde 1961. Soy el hijo de Delfino y Linda Sánchez, nacido y criado en San Antonio, Texas. Atendí un colegio y universidad aquí en mi ciudad y también en California. Helen y yo tenemos 48 años de casados. Tenemos dos hijas y un hijo, diez nietos y una biznieta llamada como su bisabuela, mi esposa Helen (Elena), cosa que es muy común entre Sefardíes.
He servido en la facultad de varios colegios y universidades incluyendo el la escuela de servicio social (Worden) de la Universidad Our Lady of the Lake en San Antonio como también la Universidad del Estado de Arizona en Tempe. Funde y dirige una estación de televisión educacional (KHCE TV-23). Durante este tiempo, fui pastor por 24 años de una congregación Evangélica bilingüe en un barrio de mi ciudad nativa de San Antonio. Mi padre virtualmente fundo esta congregación en el año 1955. Desciendo de una línea larga de ministros en ambos lados de mis padres.
Cuando descubrí mi verdadera heredad Sefardí Anusim en 1996, me lance a una vida de búsqueda e investigación. Helen y yo hemos viajado decenares de miles de millas durante estos años de descubrimiento. Desde entonces hemos viajado a instituciones de alto aprendizaje y centros de archivos a través de todos los estados del Suroeste de los Estados Unidos incluyendo México, España y dos veces al año a Israel—en búsqueda de nuestras raíces.
Desde entonces, he publicado diez libros, cinco de los cuales están en inglés, cuatro están traducidos al español y uno en alemán. Mi reciente libro que solo está en ingles hasta que lo traduzca se intitula, Out from Hiding—Evidences of Sephardic roots among Latinos. Este libro es un micro síntesis de lo que hemos aprendido en los últimos 15 anos. Debo decir que el conocimiento de las raíces del Sefardim Anusim nos ha dado un choque por lo que hemos aprendido. No obstante, la familia entera de Helen para siempre han sabido que tienen raíces Sefardíes Anusim—y que son descendientes de los Judios secretos de España.
Por 35 años, hasta el año 1996, siempre cuestionaba la veracidad de la admisión de Helen tocante a sus raíces hasta que escarbe suficientemente para confirmar esta verdad. Al fin de todo, ahora soy un creyente en mis raíces verdaderas y todo en mi vida ha cambiado en una manera profunda que trae gran satisfacción a mi vida. Mi calendario ha cambiado y también las fiestas que celebro y los días santos…mi lugar de adoración ha cambiado, algunos elementos de los cuales me visto ha cambiado…la comida que comemos y no comemos ha cambiado…el lugar de orígenes de mis ancestros ha cambiado a Erez Israel, y un sin número de otras costumbres, prácticas y comportamientos han cambiado radicalmente. Después toco sobre estos puntos a través de esta platica. Aun mi perspectiva de donde pertenezco ha cambiado. Ahora no tan solo se dónde pertenezco pero donde no pertenezco también.
Un Vistazo de Pájaro de los Orígenes de Nuestros Ancestros
Antes de entrar en un sin número de descubrimientos, déjeme decir que la evidencia de ADN apunta marcadamente a España porque mi abuelo matero como también el abuelo materno de Helen apuntan a España a través de los últimos siglos. Recientemente, las evidencias de ADN revelan que mi abuelo paterno tiene firmes raíces en Tascan, Italia pero también con raíces Sefardíes. No obstante, las raíces de mi padre apuntan hacia Finlandia y países de lengua Uralic.
A parte de nuestros ancestros maternos viniendo de Iberia (España y Portugal), algunos de nuestros orígenes más antiguos vienen de Eurasia. Suele ser que donde termina Asia empieza Europa en Turquía. No obstante, debo decir que hacia el norte de Turquía esta Rusia. Y sabemos que Rusia es demasiado grande con gran diversidad de culturas, razas y religiones. Mi observación personal es que miles de años pasados, muchos de nuestros ancestros maternos vinieron de estas regiones del mundo.
A través de los siglos, los ancestros de las mujeres Anusim llegaron al noreste de México. Muchos siglos después, esta región se tornó en una enorme porción dada por el Rey Felipe II a Don Luis de Carvajal y de la Cueva. Don Luis era un Conquistador compasivo y virrey del Nuevo Reino del León, responsable directamente al Rey Felipe. Dado que muchas de estas mujeres casándose con hombre Anusim, muchas de nuestros ancestros sufrieron en la Inquisición Mexicana como también la Inquisición de Nuevo México cuales yo llamo los holocaustos lentos porque duraron cienes de anos.
Interesantemente, los ancestros maternos de Helen vivieron en muchas generaciones en La Nueva Galicia que incluye la parte noroeste de México, la parte norte de Nuevo México y el Sur de Colorado. Sus ancestros paternos eran tal como los míos del Nuevo Reino del León.
Los ancestros maternos de Helen se establecieron en el norte de Nuevo México, quizá durante los días Coloniales. Establecieron sus comunidades en Nuevo México durante el siglo 17 bajo la dirección de Don Juan de Oñate, un Sefardí Anusim. Esto fue durante días muy tumultuosos entre la liberación de México de Francia y la Revolucion Mexicana hasta la parte sur-central de Texas.
Casamiento Entre Sefardíes Anusim – PARA SER CONTINUADO DESPUES…
Nota Especial: mis cinco libros sobre este mismo tema discuten en mucho más detalle estos descubrimientos. Para más información, visite: www.4sephardim.com. (note arriba de la página primera la indicación para la versión en español)
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Nightmares of the Holocaust–Memories of the Inquisition
–What’s the difference–
Everybody knows what “holocaust” is but no one knows what an “Inquisition” is.
Of course, I’m generalizing a bit. In a nutshell, an Inquisition is a type of holocaust such as the one Spain perpetrated on Jews a few hundred years ago. An Inquisition is also a holocaust that Mexico followed up on after that Jews fled from Spain and Portugal to Mexico.
On April 19th all Jews and Zionists will celebrate Memorial Day, remembering the horrific tragedy of Hitler’s Holocaust. Then the 20th, we will celebrate Israel’s Independence Day.
With profound respect and heaviness of heart I want to say that while I was a young boy, I remember the horrific travesties of the Holocaust that took place during World War II. Some of my extended family members fought in this gruesome war. But what lies even more heavily in my soul is the fact that we’ve either forgotten–or we never knew about an earlier Holocaust that affected tens of thousands of our Spanish forefathers that fled the literal flames of the Inquisition in Spain and then Portugal and then Mexico and other nations in Latin America.
My point is this: there is no difference between a people that suffered at the hand of their perpetrators one year ago as opposed to one decade ago. Pain and suffering was present in both cases. The presence of such trauma did not go away–it remains there as a memorial.
A people that suffered in Hitler’s Holocaust 50 years ago is no less and no more than the people that suffered in the Spanish Inquisition 500 years ago. Hitler’s fiery ovens were no more and no less than the burnings at the stake of the Inquisitions. The confiscation of goods and property were the same in both cases. The raping of women and girls and even young boys were the same. The kidnappings of their children were no different–a kidnapped child is the same whether it was 50 years ago or 500 years ago. The collective unconscious in both cases is quite similar if not the same. The outcry of the human soul is the same. The demand for justice is exactly the same.
Hitler used Ghettos and Spain used Barrios to hold the Jews under siege. Hitler enforced their wearing a Star of David to distinguish them from all others. Spain used the San Benito which was the vesture filled with insane emblems to demonstrate who was a Spanish (Sephardic) Jew.
It is nothing short of a miracle we have children of the Holocaust survivors today. It is just as much a miracle, and more so, that we have survivors of the Inquisitions that besieged Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Peru, Columbia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Cuba and most Latin American nations including the State of New Mexico in the United States of America.
I wish to God that someone would build a museum of all the atrocities caused upon the Jews of Spain–the Sephardim, the Anusim. There is a major museum of the Holocaust in Jerusalem. In fact, there are more than 20 small and large museums in foreign countries and at least two others in Israel. In our nation there are approximately 25 such museums, the largest one being in Washington, DC. But they have little if any information about the Spanish Inquisition with its tentacles in Iberia and throughout Latin America, and as stated previously also in New Mexico.
I happen to have two dear colleagues that deals with the Holocaust survivors in Israel. I personally know a couple of Jewish individuals who are children of Holocaust survivors. I’m glad to report that despite their parent’s traumas, they have managed to grow up and make something very special of themselves. But as a mental health professional, I do not need a Sherlock Holmes magnifying glass to detect the effects of their parent’s trauma.
On the other hand, I happen to know hundreds and thousands of descendants of the survivors of one or more Inquisitions but their stories are not known. In many cases, they are seen with suspicion and cynicism when they tell a small portion of their forefathers’ plight. I am however glad to report that the extended Jewish family is slowly coming around to believe their reports as they become knowledgeable of what actually took place in their histories. But something of a miraculous dimension needs to take place in the halls of the Israeli government in order that these Sephardic Anusim souls are reckoned with in a just and merciful manner.
I am not advocating that any system become gullible to believe anything without proper evidence or due process. But I am declaring that it is high-time that new case law begins to be written along with new policies and procedures that can best deal with such cases. After all, God has given us an amazing tool that is called the brain in order to accurately process intelligence in a wise and prudent manner. But this is going to demand a major amount of change. This means that those that are in positions of power will need to get out of their presumptive boxes in order to hear, see and perceive what is taking place all across the Americas including Iberia and other foreign nations where there are yet Sephardic Jews in virtual hiding.
It is time for the secular as well as the religious Jews to come together in order to create new pathways that begin to open up, perhaps, small gateways for bona fide cases of Sephardic Anusim. It is time that Israeli politics and religious extremism be put on the shelf until this issue of the awakening of the sleeping giant of Sephardic-Anusim is compatibly dealt with.
In closing, I am convinced we need each other. Sephardic Anusim needs to reconnect with the people as well as the land of their Jewish forefathers. But on the other hand, I’m convinced that Israel needs to stretch out her arms to embrace their “orphaned” brothers and sisters as they cry out for a little help. Frankly, I shall go out on the limb to declare something very dear to my own heart.
Israel needs the Sephardic Anusim more than the Anusim needs Israel. Most all of the Sephardic Anusim in America that I know, that are longing to make Aliyah are quite resourceful, industrious, loyal and committed Zionists. They may not know half as much about the rudiments and the thousands of years of the Jewish experience. They may not even know what terms such as “halacha” means neither by definition nor by religious expression, but one thing I do know–they are very teachable. They are pliable and changeable.
The first Prime Minister of Israel, David Ben Gurion stated that if anyone wants to be a Jew, let him. I am sure he wasn’t referring to “come one, come all.” But I am convinced, after studying his memoirs in the Ben Gurion Heritage Institute in the Negev one summer, I discovered that Ben Gurion knew Israel would need my people, the Sephardic Anusim for such a time as this. I have read many of his speeches and public statements and I happen to know that Ben Gurion was a strong believer in the Prophets of the Bible, the Tanakh. His young assistant was once asked by a journalist if Ben Gurion ever sought advice from other; and the young aide said: “Yes, only after he has sought the Prophets.”
I therefore, appeal to the “powers that be” in Israel and the Jewish leaders throughout the globe to take a second and more cautious look at what the holy Prophets have to say about the people I am here advocating for. And…and, I’m also appealing to nuestra gente (our people) to learn to love one another, to bear one another’s differences, to unite under a common-cause banner and to never forget the past of our forefathers’ history lest it repeats itself in our day.
Shalom!
Dell F. Sanchez
PS, what you have just read is a statement which I make in my new book that’s about to be published this summer. In it I deal with the hard facts and evidences of Sephardic Anusim roots among many Hispanic/Latinos. I refer to DNA, material evidences, onomastics, history and oral histories. If you're interested in my coming your way to give a lecture or set of seminars, contact me at: negevdell@hotmail.com
Everybody knows what “holocaust” is but no one knows what an “Inquisition” is.
Of course, I’m generalizing a bit. In a nutshell, an Inquisition is a type of holocaust such as the one Spain perpetrated on Jews a few hundred years ago. An Inquisition is also a holocaust that Mexico followed up on after that Jews fled from Spain and Portugal to Mexico.
On April 19th all Jews and Zionists will celebrate Memorial Day, remembering the horrific tragedy of Hitler’s Holocaust. Then the 20th, we will celebrate Israel’s Independence Day.
With profound respect and heaviness of heart I want to say that while I was a young boy, I remember the horrific travesties of the Holocaust that took place during World War II. Some of my extended family members fought in this gruesome war. But what lies even more heavily in my soul is the fact that we’ve either forgotten–or we never knew about an earlier Holocaust that affected tens of thousands of our Spanish forefathers that fled the literal flames of the Inquisition in Spain and then Portugal and then Mexico and other nations in Latin America.
My point is this: there is no difference between a people that suffered at the hand of their perpetrators one year ago as opposed to one decade ago. Pain and suffering was present in both cases. The presence of such trauma did not go away–it remains there as a memorial.
A people that suffered in Hitler’s Holocaust 50 years ago is no less and no more than the people that suffered in the Spanish Inquisition 500 years ago. Hitler’s fiery ovens were no more and no less than the burnings at the stake of the Inquisitions. The confiscation of goods and property were the same in both cases. The raping of women and girls and even young boys were the same. The kidnappings of their children were no different–a kidnapped child is the same whether it was 50 years ago or 500 years ago. The collective unconscious in both cases is quite similar if not the same. The outcry of the human soul is the same. The demand for justice is exactly the same.
Hitler used Ghettos and Spain used Barrios to hold the Jews under siege. Hitler enforced their wearing a Star of David to distinguish them from all others. Spain used the San Benito which was the vesture filled with insane emblems to demonstrate who was a Spanish (Sephardic) Jew.
It is nothing short of a miracle we have children of the Holocaust survivors today. It is just as much a miracle, and more so, that we have survivors of the Inquisitions that besieged Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Peru, Columbia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Cuba and most Latin American nations including the State of New Mexico in the United States of America.
I wish to God that someone would build a museum of all the atrocities caused upon the Jews of Spain–the Sephardim, the Anusim. There is a major museum of the Holocaust in Jerusalem. In fact, there are more than 20 small and large museums in foreign countries and at least two others in Israel. In our nation there are approximately 25 such museums, the largest one being in Washington, DC. But they have little if any information about the Spanish Inquisition with its tentacles in Iberia and throughout Latin America, and as stated previously also in New Mexico.
I happen to have two dear colleagues that deals with the Holocaust survivors in Israel. I personally know a couple of Jewish individuals who are children of Holocaust survivors. I’m glad to report that despite their parent’s traumas, they have managed to grow up and make something very special of themselves. But as a mental health professional, I do not need a Sherlock Holmes magnifying glass to detect the effects of their parent’s trauma.
On the other hand, I happen to know hundreds and thousands of descendants of the survivors of one or more Inquisitions but their stories are not known. In many cases, they are seen with suspicion and cynicism when they tell a small portion of their forefathers’ plight. I am however glad to report that the extended Jewish family is slowly coming around to believe their reports as they become knowledgeable of what actually took place in their histories. But something of a miraculous dimension needs to take place in the halls of the Israeli government in order that these Sephardic Anusim souls are reckoned with in a just and merciful manner.
I am not advocating that any system become gullible to believe anything without proper evidence or due process. But I am declaring that it is high-time that new case law begins to be written along with new policies and procedures that can best deal with such cases. After all, God has given us an amazing tool that is called the brain in order to accurately process intelligence in a wise and prudent manner. But this is going to demand a major amount of change. This means that those that are in positions of power will need to get out of their presumptive boxes in order to hear, see and perceive what is taking place all across the Americas including Iberia and other foreign nations where there are yet Sephardic Jews in virtual hiding.
It is time for the secular as well as the religious Jews to come together in order to create new pathways that begin to open up, perhaps, small gateways for bona fide cases of Sephardic Anusim. It is time that Israeli politics and religious extremism be put on the shelf until this issue of the awakening of the sleeping giant of Sephardic-Anusim is compatibly dealt with.
In closing, I am convinced we need each other. Sephardic Anusim needs to reconnect with the people as well as the land of their Jewish forefathers. But on the other hand, I’m convinced that Israel needs to stretch out her arms to embrace their “orphaned” brothers and sisters as they cry out for a little help. Frankly, I shall go out on the limb to declare something very dear to my own heart.
Israel needs the Sephardic Anusim more than the Anusim needs Israel. Most all of the Sephardic Anusim in America that I know, that are longing to make Aliyah are quite resourceful, industrious, loyal and committed Zionists. They may not know half as much about the rudiments and the thousands of years of the Jewish experience. They may not even know what terms such as “halacha” means neither by definition nor by religious expression, but one thing I do know–they are very teachable. They are pliable and changeable.
The first Prime Minister of Israel, David Ben Gurion stated that if anyone wants to be a Jew, let him. I am sure he wasn’t referring to “come one, come all.” But I am convinced, after studying his memoirs in the Ben Gurion Heritage Institute in the Negev one summer, I discovered that Ben Gurion knew Israel would need my people, the Sephardic Anusim for such a time as this. I have read many of his speeches and public statements and I happen to know that Ben Gurion was a strong believer in the Prophets of the Bible, the Tanakh. His young assistant was once asked by a journalist if Ben Gurion ever sought advice from other; and the young aide said: “Yes, only after he has sought the Prophets.”
I therefore, appeal to the “powers that be” in Israel and the Jewish leaders throughout the globe to take a second and more cautious look at what the holy Prophets have to say about the people I am here advocating for. And…and, I’m also appealing to nuestra gente (our people) to learn to love one another, to bear one another’s differences, to unite under a common-cause banner and to never forget the past of our forefathers’ history lest it repeats itself in our day.
Shalom!
Dell F. Sanchez
PS, what you have just read is a statement which I make in my new book that’s about to be published this summer. In it I deal with the hard facts and evidences of Sephardic Anusim roots among many Hispanic/Latinos. I refer to DNA, material evidences, onomastics, history and oral histories. If you're interested in my coming your way to give a lecture or set of seminars, contact me at: negevdell@hotmail.com
Thursday, March 18, 2010
In Search of Aliyah!
How can we search for someone we don’t even know is missing? How can we succeed if we don’t have a clue what this person looks like?
Many of you know that I have referred to Aliyah in many of my newsletters. But what about the majority of others that haven’t?
If I’d ask the average person walking down the street or mall, “What is Aliyah?” they’d probably think I’m referring to Aliyah, a 22 year-old singer who died a few years ago.
Aliyah is a Hebrew term which means to immigrate to Israel. Technically, it portrays the imagery of ascending up to Zion because it doesn’t matter what side of Zion/Jerusalem you come from, it’s always upwards.
It hurts me to say this but many folks I know have lost the fervor and zeal that’s in the center of God’s heart regarding the Aliyah of His Chosen People. And some of those that continue to labor or pray about this have lost what we call in Spanish, las ganas which is the passion of desire.
I have seen many churches turn a cold shoulder against Israel. I know of many Christians that are more pro-Arab (Moslem) than pro-Israel. I have witnessed with my own eyes mainline Christian groups funding major projects among those that continue to terrorize and rain rockets on Israeli communities every single day.
Meantime, I’m very, very sorry to say that Aliyah is missing! In the hearts of many people that know about it, Aliyah has drowned! What’s worst is that we’re doing so little or nothing about it.
Might it be too late to save this holy thing that’s so dear to God– which is the return of Jewish people back to their homeland so that Bible prophecy may continue to be fullfilled?
Anyone that glances at American history will quickly see that America’s role in freeing Jews from Hitler’s Holocaust was a mountain top event in our nation. And anyone that notices that since 1948, when Israel was reborn and became a Statehood, America increased in every conceivable institution across the board. Every time America blessed Israel to win her battles against constant attacks from her enemies which surround her in every direction, God has blessed America like no other nation on the face of this earth.
But where is America today? Just look around. Listen to the daily news. While America and American Christians have turned their back on Israel, what has happened to our America?
Maybe you are not a Jew and neither do you have a dot of Jewish DNA in your body; but I happen to know many of them who are rediscovering their Jewish ancestry and are crying out for help. But meantime, WHERE’S ALIYAH?
I give you my most solemn word: I shall never allow Aliyah– which is the prophetic trumpet blast in God’s heart– to grow cold in me. It matters not what it’ll cost me, “Me and my house shall serve the Lord.” Will you? Will you lend me a little hand?
Shalom,
Dell
PS, Visit my website and blog if you’re interested in more information. (www.4sephardim.com.
Many of you know that I have referred to Aliyah in many of my newsletters. But what about the majority of others that haven’t?
If I’d ask the average person walking down the street or mall, “What is Aliyah?” they’d probably think I’m referring to Aliyah, a 22 year-old singer who died a few years ago.
Aliyah is a Hebrew term which means to immigrate to Israel. Technically, it portrays the imagery of ascending up to Zion because it doesn’t matter what side of Zion/Jerusalem you come from, it’s always upwards.
It hurts me to say this but many folks I know have lost the fervor and zeal that’s in the center of God’s heart regarding the Aliyah of His Chosen People. And some of those that continue to labor or pray about this have lost what we call in Spanish, las ganas which is the passion of desire.
I have seen many churches turn a cold shoulder against Israel. I know of many Christians that are more pro-Arab (Moslem) than pro-Israel. I have witnessed with my own eyes mainline Christian groups funding major projects among those that continue to terrorize and rain rockets on Israeli communities every single day.
Meantime, I’m very, very sorry to say that Aliyah is missing! In the hearts of many people that know about it, Aliyah has drowned! What’s worst is that we’re doing so little or nothing about it.
Might it be too late to save this holy thing that’s so dear to God– which is the return of Jewish people back to their homeland so that Bible prophecy may continue to be fullfilled?
Anyone that glances at American history will quickly see that America’s role in freeing Jews from Hitler’s Holocaust was a mountain top event in our nation. And anyone that notices that since 1948, when Israel was reborn and became a Statehood, America increased in every conceivable institution across the board. Every time America blessed Israel to win her battles against constant attacks from her enemies which surround her in every direction, God has blessed America like no other nation on the face of this earth.
But where is America today? Just look around. Listen to the daily news. While America and American Christians have turned their back on Israel, what has happened to our America?
Maybe you are not a Jew and neither do you have a dot of Jewish DNA in your body; but I happen to know many of them who are rediscovering their Jewish ancestry and are crying out for help. But meantime, WHERE’S ALIYAH?
I give you my most solemn word: I shall never allow Aliyah– which is the prophetic trumpet blast in God’s heart– to grow cold in me. It matters not what it’ll cost me, “Me and my house shall serve the Lord.” Will you? Will you lend me a little hand?
Shalom,
Dell
PS, Visit my website and blog if you’re interested in more information. (www.4sephardim.com.
Monday, March 1, 2010
New Book on Sephardic Anusim
I'm in the process of writing a new book and I'd like your feedback on a preliminary statement in it. This helps me take a pulse on what folks 'out there' are feeling about this subject. So here goes...
The awakening of Sephardic Anusim has been a glorious one. It has opened up new pathways of improvement and expression for them. However, they are soon discovering that these pathways are a very long and sometimes treacherous journey back home—to the original families they were severed from over five hundred years ago.
Most of them begin this long journey excited and intrigued with the prospects of their new discoveries and being reconnected with their true family. But they soon find out that the journey is fraught with unexpected challenges and oppositions which make it seem even longer. They find out that not only do they experience rejection by those being left behind but also by those they are moving toward.
In the middle of their life changing journey, they discover that there is much more than history, genealogy, DNA and a host of secret stories to their new found life. They experience the rude awakening of something way deeper. They find out that there is a distinct philosophy of life that is quite different to the one they and their forefathers were raised in. This philosophy of life translates itself into radically different expressions of their personal faith and beliefs. Unprepared for it, they discover the inevitable reality that this journey is highly impacted an array of religious beliefs which they will need to carefully manage depending on how they wish to proceed.
What makes things even harder are when they begin to see the duplicity in this new journey which very few are able to endure. On the one hand they begin to taste the bitterness of being criticized and at times ostracized from old Christian circles, including what appears to be ‘true Zionists.’ Later they discover certain pockets of pseudo Christians and pseudo Jews that get very upset if they don’t join their circles. Finally, they discover a major schism between where they are coming from and where they think they are going. They are confronted with the reality of ‘how Jewish they intend to be.’ So now they find that they must make a decision that will make some people happy and others very upset because of their new persuasion, even if they themselves are thrilled about the new direction in their life.
On top of all of this they become aware that reconnecting with the very land of their forefathers (Israel) isn’t quite as easy as they thought it would be. For those that visit Israel more than as a tourist, they quickly find out that the Israeli family is quite a major enigma because some are very religious and the majority is not. As they tread the narrow pathway known as Aliyah in their longing to become one with the land and the people of their ancestry, they soon discover the politics of becoming an Israeli citizen. They are faced with the harshest reality in this quest when they realize they must jump over many hurdles in order to simply reconnect with the family of their true ancestry. In the interim, they quickly discover that the hurdles keep getting higher and closer with very little definition on how to successfully achieve one’s connection with the life they long to belong to.
By the time a Sephardic Anusim family or individual arrives at this hurdle jumping exercise, they are often too exhausted in spirit and sometimes too broke and broken to continue fighting every step of an uphill war—having to watch their back against those left behind and having to be ever watchful for ambushes set by those that really want nothing to do with their ascent to the land of their forefathers. “But why?” they ask, simply because they are different by the decisions their fleeing ancestors had to make in order to endure and survive impending annihilations strewn all across their histories.
This book is not a manual for those desiring to endure this long and treacherous journey. It is intended to provide them, as well as to educate those with an open mind, to the evidences that prove the existence of Sephardic Anusim among a people with Hispanic/Latinos in America. This book intends to shut the mouths of cynics or at least to quiet them down long enough to prove our existence.
I am fully aware that despite all the evidences which this book provides, some Christians as well as Jews will continue to reject these descendants of the very survivors who overcame Inquisitions, pogroms and holocausts which took place many centuries ago but feel as if it happened during the holocaust of the 1940’s but on one seems to really care.
I would be remiss if I did not state that there are a few wonderful Jews who have taken a few of us under their wing to help us along our long journey. I shall not neglect the fact that some of these Jews are rabbis and leaders both in America as well as in Israel. Even though some of them have put their reputation on the line, we have discovered that there continues to be what I call “hard nosed” Israelis in positions of power that do not bend for anyone when it comes to helping Sephardic Anusim get back home.
Meantime, as an old Spanish saying goes: A Dios rogando y con el mazo dando. In other words, at the same time we continue to pray with fervor we also persist in pounding away until we get a breakthrough!
Shalom, hasta luego,
Dell
The awakening of Sephardic Anusim has been a glorious one. It has opened up new pathways of improvement and expression for them. However, they are soon discovering that these pathways are a very long and sometimes treacherous journey back home—to the original families they were severed from over five hundred years ago.
Most of them begin this long journey excited and intrigued with the prospects of their new discoveries and being reconnected with their true family. But they soon find out that the journey is fraught with unexpected challenges and oppositions which make it seem even longer. They find out that not only do they experience rejection by those being left behind but also by those they are moving toward.
In the middle of their life changing journey, they discover that there is much more than history, genealogy, DNA and a host of secret stories to their new found life. They experience the rude awakening of something way deeper. They find out that there is a distinct philosophy of life that is quite different to the one they and their forefathers were raised in. This philosophy of life translates itself into radically different expressions of their personal faith and beliefs. Unprepared for it, they discover the inevitable reality that this journey is highly impacted an array of religious beliefs which they will need to carefully manage depending on how they wish to proceed.
What makes things even harder are when they begin to see the duplicity in this new journey which very few are able to endure. On the one hand they begin to taste the bitterness of being criticized and at times ostracized from old Christian circles, including what appears to be ‘true Zionists.’ Later they discover certain pockets of pseudo Christians and pseudo Jews that get very upset if they don’t join their circles. Finally, they discover a major schism between where they are coming from and where they think they are going. They are confronted with the reality of ‘how Jewish they intend to be.’ So now they find that they must make a decision that will make some people happy and others very upset because of their new persuasion, even if they themselves are thrilled about the new direction in their life.
On top of all of this they become aware that reconnecting with the very land of their forefathers (Israel) isn’t quite as easy as they thought it would be. For those that visit Israel more than as a tourist, they quickly find out that the Israeli family is quite a major enigma because some are very religious and the majority is not. As they tread the narrow pathway known as Aliyah in their longing to become one with the land and the people of their ancestry, they soon discover the politics of becoming an Israeli citizen. They are faced with the harshest reality in this quest when they realize they must jump over many hurdles in order to simply reconnect with the family of their true ancestry. In the interim, they quickly discover that the hurdles keep getting higher and closer with very little definition on how to successfully achieve one’s connection with the life they long to belong to.
By the time a Sephardic Anusim family or individual arrives at this hurdle jumping exercise, they are often too exhausted in spirit and sometimes too broke and broken to continue fighting every step of an uphill war—having to watch their back against those left behind and having to be ever watchful for ambushes set by those that really want nothing to do with their ascent to the land of their forefathers. “But why?” they ask, simply because they are different by the decisions their fleeing ancestors had to make in order to endure and survive impending annihilations strewn all across their histories.
This book is not a manual for those desiring to endure this long and treacherous journey. It is intended to provide them, as well as to educate those with an open mind, to the evidences that prove the existence of Sephardic Anusim among a people with Hispanic/Latinos in America. This book intends to shut the mouths of cynics or at least to quiet them down long enough to prove our existence.
I am fully aware that despite all the evidences which this book provides, some Christians as well as Jews will continue to reject these descendants of the very survivors who overcame Inquisitions, pogroms and holocausts which took place many centuries ago but feel as if it happened during the holocaust of the 1940’s but on one seems to really care.
I would be remiss if I did not state that there are a few wonderful Jews who have taken a few of us under their wing to help us along our long journey. I shall not neglect the fact that some of these Jews are rabbis and leaders both in America as well as in Israel. Even though some of them have put their reputation on the line, we have discovered that there continues to be what I call “hard nosed” Israelis in positions of power that do not bend for anyone when it comes to helping Sephardic Anusim get back home.
Meantime, as an old Spanish saying goes: A Dios rogando y con el mazo dando. In other words, at the same time we continue to pray with fervor we also persist in pounding away until we get a breakthrough!
Shalom, hasta luego,
Dell
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