Sephardic Genealogical Journeys

One Extra Candle The Jewish community of Aleppo historically consisted of indigenous Must`arabim who lived there continuously since biblical times as well as many families of Sepharadim who came from the Spanish and Portuguese exiles. Nowadays, there is little to distinguish the two groups except for last names because the practices and liturgies of each have blended together. However, there is one unusual Hannuka custom that remains a litmus test for families of Sepharadi or...Continue reading

As you know we process applications for Portuguese citizenship for descendants of Sephardic Jews. There has been some movement in Portugal to require applicants to show a connection to the country. There was a proposal recently to require two years of residency before application, which would have affectively shut down this process. We now have News that that is no longer the case. Read the article in the Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/no-drastic-change-to-portuga/

Leaving Never to Return is an amazing zoom conference about Jews who have been forced to leave their homes in Middle East Countries. Tuesday 11/24 at 9 am in NY; 4 pm in israel. Rabbi Joe Dweck will be saying Kaddish and Yitzkor from London at 9 am ET for people who died during pogroms in and those buried in cemeteries Sarina Roffé on Escapes from Syria at 10:15 ET Link to zoom:https://zoom.us/j/94514662508...

Hey guys Its been forever since I have spoken publicly Now I get to zoom into your homes!

A Story About Voting The importance of voting was ingrained in my husband from an early age. He tells of how his grandparents, Shaul Zaghal Sutton and Nizha Sitt, thought that voting was so important they became naturalized American citizens so they could vote in the presidential election. That was nearly a century ago. Shaul and Nizha had come from the Ottoman Empire where citizens did not have the right to vote. So precious was the right to vote, that when they went to the ...polls that first time to cast their ballots, they took the entire family. Their six children all had to witness that precious experience voting in an election. The experience impressed his children so much that they never missed a chance to vote. Each election day, they proudly march into the booth and cast their ballots. We are just days away from a Presidential election. As Americans we must remember how precious a right voting us. Many parts of the world do not allow their citizens to have a voice and to vote in fair democratic elections. Voting began in several states and will continue until Election Day when the polls close. The choice of who to vote for is yours. That’s why you vote. To Choose who you want to represent your interests and beliefs. Voting gives you a voice, a way to express how you want your government to operate, and the values by which you expect our nation’s leaders to behave and make decisions. Voting is a privilege and precious coveted right Americans have. Remember to exercise your right vote by Election Day. It is a right and privilege too important to waste. Sarina Roffé

What Happened When Students Went to School During the 1918 Pandemic The 1918-1920 Spanish Flu pandemic killed an estimated 5 million people worldwide, including 675,000 Americans, before it was all over. If you had an ancestor who died in the years 1918 through 1920, there is a very good chance that he or she died of the Spanish Flu. While the vast majority of cities closed their schools, three opted to keep their schools open New York, Chicago and New Haven, according to h...istorians. The results were not good in those school districts. For students from the tenement districts, school offered a clean, well-ventilated environment where teachers, nurses, and doctors already practiced and documented thorough, routine medical inspections according to a Public Health Report written in 2020. New York City was one of the hardest and earliest hit by the flu, said Dr. Howard Markel, a medical historian and director of the Center for the History of Medicine at the University of Michigan and also co-author of the 2010 Public Health Reports article mentioned above. You can read more in a current-day article by Theresa Waldrop and published in the CNN website at: https://www.cnn.com//schools-flu-pandemic-1918-/index.html as well as the article written by the same Dr. Howard Markel at https://www.pbs.org//analysis-why-some-schools-stayed-open. Source: Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter, August 20, 2020

This is an article about the restoration of an old Jewish cemetery in Cairo. Does anyone have a connection where we can ask for records? Cairo is like a big empty hole for lack of info for genealogist and ppl from Egypt are hungry for info. https://www.al-monitor.com//egypt-restoration-jewish-cemet

It’s a perfect time to make pesto

For dairy meals, especially during the holidays, I like to serve Syrian Sambusac as an hors d’oeuvre. When people come in they hit the spot and the melted chee...se in that crisp dough is delicious and mouthwatering. See how I make them in this short video. Recipe can be found in the Sarina’s Sephardic Cuisine app. You’ll find lots of mouthwatering recipes in my cookbook Backyard Kitchen the Main Course, or Backyard Kitchen Mediterranean Salads. On Amazon Visit our website at Sarinassephardiccuisine.com

Bring it on! 5781 here we come.

Are you interested in getting a passport in the European Union? Descendants of Sephardic Jews my apply under the nationality law in Portugal. Our company, Sephardic Genealogical Journeys is handling application and helping with entire process. If you are a Sephardic Jew interested in becoming a Portuguese citizen, please feel free to call me at 917.439.5126 to discuss.

Are you researching Sephardic genealogy? Check out these databases! in this issue of the Genealogy Detective.

https://www.thejc.com//the-sephardi-story-of-being-differe

I used to be the Queen of formal entertaining with my fancy tablecloths, silver trays, magnificent centerpieces and formal dining room. In fact click here to check out my video on tablecloths. In many ways the house dictates the way you entertain. We moved from our formal center hall century-old house to a beach house a few years ago and I find my style of entertaining is very different.