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

Educating not Liquidating!

--Let me first alert you to the fact that this is a once in a while type of message.

We’ve all heard of companies using gimmicks to attract buyers to their stores. We have seen promotions that read: “Great Liquidation Sale,” “Everything Must Go,” “Over stocked!” and a host of other eye catchers.

Well, the actual fact is that we’ve overstocked on at least two titles of the books I’ve published. We are therefore putting them on a 50% discount through the remainder of February while they last. (I’m being sincere about the phrase, “while they last.”)

The first book is what I consider a sort of minor classic titled, The Last Exodus. The second one is, Sephardic Destiny. The reason I call the first one a minor classic is because of the comprehensiveness of the historical overview of my people, the Sephardic Anusim of the Americas. The second one is excellent for people that like to pray to specific targets by understanding the particulars involved in any given issue.

By the way, although these two books are also in Spanish – as are all my other books – this 50% discount is only for the English versions not the Spanish ones. Sorry.

The only way to purchase these books on the 50% discount is by placing your order through my website: www.4sephardim.com. You’ll find these books by clicking on the PUBLICATIONS button on the left hand side of your screen.

So, what’s so great or even “prophetic” about these books on discount? I’m not sure. Maybe it’s just time to get the correct perspective on the Sephardic Anusim and to stop looking at them as old stereotypes, myths and labels have led us to see them. Maybe it’s time to begin seeing them for who they really are – part of God’s Chosen People who have felt like the scum of the earth for over 500 years when they're actually part of "the apple of God's eye."

Read these books and you’ll see why say this.

Shabbat shalom…

Happy reading,

Dell

The Great Hispanic Anusim Awakening!

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.

New Year Prophecies

Shalom folks,

I pray that whether you're Jewish or Christian, your festivities have been unparalleled.

Before I attempt to share a VISION God gave me in a visit to the Negev of Israel, I'd like to provoke some constructive feedback from you.

I have been brooding over a vision that pertains to the coming New Year; but I do not want to come across as being obtrusive nor offensive. However, I must say that I have already seen evidences which point to the accuracy of my vision.

So please give me your opinion on if and how I should proceed with this burning issue that's been on my soul for a few months.

Simply write to me at: negevdell@hotmail.com.

Happy New Year / Prospero Ano Nuevo,

DELL

IF YOU ONLY KNEW!

~Sephardic Anusim Still Live In Hiding & Secrecy!

Prior to 1996, I knew absolutely nothing about my family’s Sephardic connection or that of my wife’s. I had no knowledge of the holocausts known as Inquisitions which lasted a few centuries in the lands of our forefathers, Spain, Portugal, Mexico and even New Mexico.

I’d heard about Crypto (hidden) Jews of the Southwest but I never made the connection between them and both sides of my family as well as my wife (Helen). After all, they lived exactly as their label portrays them as “hidden” Jews with tons of airtight secrets.

I have gone on record in my former writings saying that my 77 year old Dad found out the secret of their Jewish heritage through his contemporary nieces and a nephew or two. He was the last one of a large Sanchez family to find out about this ancient secret. This secret was tucked away so very well that one of Dad’s brothers told my Sanchez cousin to let those secret things remain in the closet and not to tamper with them. Another Sanchez uncle told his son, “So who told you this secret? Whoever told you, go back to him and inquire.” The point was that he wasn’t going to say a thing about it, even to his own son.

Now, after about 14 years of research and passionate investigations throughout the Southwest, Mexico, Spain and Israel, I can now speak with a degree of authority. I can declare to you this day that after hundreds of lectures and seminars that I’ve given on the subject of my publications on Sephardic Anusim, I can now say a couple of things with utter certainty.

First, I can declare to you that we’ve gone the full circle in two sets of “7s” which is 14 solid years. After pouring my soul over issues related to my people I can truly say I’ve done all I needed to do in order to speak with this boldness.

I testify to the fact that I’ve consulted: oral and written histories, onomastics (which is the art and science of surnames), archival records, genealogies, physical evidences (such as gravestones, hidden menorahs and mezuzahs) and consulted with experts and witnesses in Israel. My last lap in this quest has been DNA in order to prove or disprove the presence of Jewish roots among my people. I can now say with absolute certainty that there’s an abundance of DNA evidences which proves the fact that many of my people have Jewish biological roots dating back hundreds and even thousands of years.

So it is that I sit here writing this note with truly mixed emotions. I have nothing but positive thoughts and emotions about my positive findings. On the other hand, I’m quite saddened by what I’ve been seeing and experiencing in the last few years – which is what I’d like to emphasize today, if I may.

I’m quite saddened by the fact that my people, the Sephardic Anusim also referred to as Sephardic Crypto Jews are between worlds. Let me attempt to explain myself here.

I have seen some things that have pierced my heart, so to speak. As I’ve seen an increased number of my Sephardic Anusim extended family coming out of their dark closets and at times dungeons of ancient memories, I have seen two things. I’ve seen my people get happy about the facts of their true heritage. But I’ve also seen them beginning to shrink back due to rejections from various camps—mostly from the “religious sector.”

I’ve seen them gain new confidence, new dignity and a new sense of self worth which was “scalped” off them via their forefathers’ plight. I’ve seen them emerge with a fire in their soul and a deep passion to embrace and be embraced by their long lost Jewish family. I’ve seen a passion within them to become one with Israel and also with the Negev which is their God given inheritance. I’ve seen them get so turned on to Holy Scriptures that were de-emphasized or omitted by religious leaders throughout their lives such as the Pentateuch also known as the Torah and the Prophets. I’ve seen them get on fire with a new and real purpose and destiny in their lives – something that many of them never had or had lost long ago.

One of the brightest things my soul has tasted is to see my own family and people finally portray a deep and lasting sense of belonging. Most of them have told me they never felt connected here, there or anywhere. They felt like there was an empty hole in their soul. They’ve told me they felt such shallowness in not knowing deep within where they really belonged. In essence they’ve represented to me that they felt adrift and forever struggling to put their finger where something deep within hurt so much.

Today, I’m disquieted by the fact that there are dark forces out there which contest against the forward progress of my people. The best way I can explain this is by relating it to the Prophet Obadiah’s heart cry regarding Edom forever ambushing my people and seeking many ways to sabotage God’s beautiful work in our souls.

Before I proceed, I can see that I’ll need to deliver the second part to this statement in a few days. I hope you don’t think I’m becoming too morbid in what I’m saying. I’m just calling it like I see it.

I want to leave you with some good and positive news for now. In my last blog I declared we have a project which I call “Operation Serape” (or Sarape, whichever). This consists of about 24 individuals, six families and four adult singles all geared and prepared to make Aliyah as soon as Israel approves them to become “full citizens.” Recent interviews were quite interesting and positive. So as we say in Spanish, “A Dios rogando y con el maso dando.” This translates to say something like this: ‘As we continue to plead before the LORD, we continue pounding away on the work at hand.’

Happy Hanukkah!

DELL

PS, Don’t forget to check my website at www.4sephardim.com.

Operation Serape!!!

We’re at the brink of an incredible breakthrough. This is taking place while anti-Semitism is on the rise in our nation and around the world.

I’m referring to a group of Sephardic Anusim making Aliyah very soon. I’m not at freedom to release any information at this time until I see that it’s “safe” to do so.

CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW OBADIAH, THE DESPISED PROPHET OF SEPHARDIM WOULD REACT WITH THIS AMAZING NEWS? (Read Obadiah verses 20 & 21.)

I want to make it as clear as I can that these Sephardic Anusim are not from South America or some Latin American country or island--not that there’s anything wrong with that; in fact, I encourage it. I'm referring to Anusim of a Hispanic background who are 4th and 5th generation citizens of the U.S.A.

These are among those that grew up thinking they were goim (gentiles) and have recently discovered through genealogies, history and now through DNA that they’re bona fide descendants of Spanish Jews. These are the children of Sephardic forefathers who suffered immensely in the Spanish, Portuguese and Mexican Inquisitions. These were the holocausts that lasted around 300 years and too few know about them.

In an article published in the Wall Street Journal on Saturday October 31, 2009, it cites how the U.S. State Department has intervened in getting around 60 Yemeni Jews out of Yemen because of increasing anti-Semitic activity. This reminds me of the manner in which 49,000 Yemeni Jews were airlifted to in 1949-50 because of anti-Semitic uprisings in Yemen right after Israel’s rebirth as Statehood in 1947. The title of this operative was, “Operation Magic Carpet.”

Maybe Israel will call this Hispanic Sephardic Aliyah “Operation Serape.” I say this because the serape was used as a secret prayer shawl known as a Jewish talit. The next time you get a chance, check the top of a Mexican sombrero. Chances are that you’ll find a Star of David weaved on the top of it.

While we practically hold our breath as Israel approves these Hispanic Sephardim for Aliyah, we’re faced with all sorts of tests, challenges and opposition. Yes, I said opposition too! But the worst kind of opposition isn’t the one that’s ‘in your face’ kind of behavior. It would be better if it were, this way we could deal with it and move on. It’s the ‘behind your back’ subtlety that tends to tear me apart! It’s not the aggressive kind of opposition but the passive one that does nothing or drags its feet when it’s time to charge. (I’m probably going to get some negative responses out there because of what I’m saying here.)

You can’t imagine the intensity of this up hill conflict. You can’t imagine the magnitude of tests and challenges that come from every conceivable side of even the religious sectors. Yes, I did say “religious sectors.” I’m at awe in a sad way to see how the very basic mandates of the Bible (whether you’re Jewish or Christian) are stomped on by “religious people” every single day. God’s supreme mandate is LOVE: love for neighbors, love foreigners and even your enemies. Sad to say but I believe my name is on some enemy rosters.

Please pray that no weapon formed against these precious Sephardic Hispanics prospers! Help me pray against spoken words that are negative, cynical, competitive or downright ugly. Help me pray that The Almighty rise up a new cadre of prayer bands and intercessors that have no ulterior motive, no selfish ambition nor reputation to guard. Me? Hmmm, I lost my reputation a long time ago! Why? For one, because of who I am; and for two, because I don’t let the grass grow under my feet. This is a time to wake up, get up, get dressed and march—onward.

And while you’re praying, ask God to show you how you can help these Sephardic Hispanics make Aliyah with your financial help. They need help—they need it badly and they need it now! And as soon as you’re done praying, please take action! Remember: manana is today!

Prayer still works!

Shalom,

Dell

PS, With the holidays around the corner, I invite you to visit the book and DVD page of my website for possible gifts (www.4sephardim.com). be sure to pass the word so that others might read what God's doing among our Hispanic Sephardim.

Repercussions of Obadiah's Prophecy - Part II

I am happy to discover that there are more of you out there who really care about the subject that's very dear to my heart. I'm also taken back by the fact that there are so many of you that identify with much of what I've described in my previous posting.

I want you to know that I've had feedback from as far as Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Latin American, (our precious ) Israel and throughout the USA. In all these cases, I am being prodded to continue with my discussion which affects so many of us with Sephardic Anusim roots. But I've also confirmed that there are many that have no Jewish roots but appear to be true Zionists at heart and love our people.

However, for the sake of truth, I've also discovered a minute number out there that are cynical and demonstrate an embittered spirit. I only pray this bitterness is swiftly dealt with before it poisons others around them.

I shall begin Part Two by recapping the last couple of paragraphs from my previous statement and move on from there. So here it is...

This journey is like an eruption within the foundation of our roots which reveal a Jewish ancestry and not a Gentile one.

At the core is the reality that this long and arduous journey is not primarily cultural nor historical or genealogical.

The heart of this discussion is not even a matter of theology nor religion. It is obvious that, in and of itself, religion isn’t bad but it’s secondary to the root of my immediate concern.

This is a matter of genetics and heritage as it’s tightly woven into the ageless fabric of God’s first institution called, ‘the family.’

Family is a vital and most integral component to our continued spiritual growth and development – and survival!

This is so serious that for over 20 generations, (since 1391) my people have lived as adopted children among Gentiles, believing we were Gentiles and living as a Gentile.

In our “Gentile-ness,” I’ve seen many of my people living without an accurate purpose or sense of destiny.

Talking about Jews living as Gentiles, it so happens that all Jewish children in Portugal 14 and younger were kidnapped from their families while their parents were expelled in 1497.

These children were kidnapped and placed in Catholic wards in order to be deprogrammed of everything related to their Jewish family and faith.

Collectively they were traumatized by the forceful removal from their homes and families and forced to accommodate to an entirely different culture, lifestyle and religion.

The incredible thing is that, all along, we have been feeling like something is very wrong with this portrait of our supposed heritage.

Some of my people have had recurring dreams that they were robbed of a golden heritage and of the nobility and wealth their ancestors possessed in Spain and Portugal, then later in Mexico and other regions of the Western Hemisphere.

The missing link has been the truth that our real forefathers are not Spanish, per se, neither are they Mexican or of some other Latin American or Caribbean nationality.

At the core of this concern is the inevitable fact that now that we have discovered who our forefathers really are, we yearn to be made complete with the family we so dearly long to be reunited with.

As if this wasn’t enough, we were forced to deny who our real fathers were and to hide the secret of our true Jewish identity, which we did so well and for so long that most of us forgot what the secret was.

Our quest is much deeper and more spiritually profound than the external expressions of culture, customs and social mores.

This quest is more of a test which we must pass in order to go on with our lives.

This quest is like oxygen without which we die.

This test is like that of a boy who just found out that a long lost brother he didn’t even know existed has been looking for him for many years.

Once the searching brother finds him, he discovers to his shock, that he’s not a biological child of the family that reared him – and that his surrogate family kept the secret air-tight from him.

On top of this, the real shock comes when he finds out that his actual biological families were Jews; and that his extended family was persecuted, tortured and in many cases, burnt at the stake by the Inquisition simply because they were Jews – because they worshipped on Saturday rather than Sunday; because they observed the Torah which has been misrepresented for centuries as being “the Law” rather than “the Instruction” which it truly means in its original definition.

Without a doubt, this journey is a process like none other.

It’s filled with an impulsive need, a ceaseless yearning, to reconnect with one’s real family regardless of the cost.

Okay, as in the case of my previous statement, I’ll stop here in order to give you breathing space and also the opportunity to let me know if I should go on with this story. So please let me know one way or the other. After this, if I get the proper feedback for me to continue, I’ll not be asking you if I should because I’ll just continue to ‘plow’ ahead in good faith and with hopeful expectations!

Chag Sameah,

DELL

PS, In case you forgot, my personal email address is: negevdell@hotmail.com. And don’t forget to take a peak into my website: www.4sephardim.com.