Special Guest Speaker

Dr. Dell F. Sanchez Saturday, May 24, 2008 Service Schedule: 1:00 – 1:35 Worship Service 1:35 – 2:15 Liturgy, Announcements, etc... 2:15 – 3:15 Message - Dell Sanchez, Part I 3:30 – 5:00 Oneg / Potluck Dinner 5:00 – 7:00 Dell Sanchez Part II & Part III

On Saturday, May 24th, Dr. Dell Sanchez will speak at Kehilat T’nuvah about the history and prophecies concerning Sephardic Jews, especially the Sephardic Jews that are in the southwestern United States.

Sephardic Jews are from Spain. They get their name from the term Sepharad which is a Biblical location (Obadiah 1:20). This location is identified as the Iberian Peninsula which is modern day Spain and Portugal. Sepharad still means “Spain” in Modern Hebrew. In contrast, Ashkenazic Jews are from Eastern European countries. Ashkenaz is the Medieval Hebrew name for the region that later formed the country of “Germany.” Sephardic Jews spoke Ladino; a language derived mainly from Old Castilian Spanish, Hebrew, Turkish, and some French and Greek. Ashkenazic Jews spoke Yiddish; a fusion of elements primarily from medieval German dialects and secondarily from Hebrew, Aramaic, various Slavic languages, Old French, and Old Italian. Throughout the centuries of exile both the Ashkenazim and Sephardim developed distinct cultures, prayer books, and many different customs and traditions.

When the Jews of Spain were expelled in 1492 they found refuge in Morocco, Italy, Egypt, the Ottoman Empire, and Israel. Many also fled to the Americas. Because of the Spanish, Mexican and Latin American Inquisition many of the Jews in the Americas were forced to convert to Roman Catholicism. Jews who have been forced to abandon Judaism against their own will are called Anusim. Anusim (plural of Anús) is the Hebrew word for “forced ones.” Anusim will do whatever is in their power to continue practicing Judaism even under a forced condition like the Inquisition. The Spanish Inquisition was a holocaust that lasted 356 years (1478-1834) and ended a century before the German holocaust began.

Sephardic Anusim are the children of those who endured the Inquisitions’ treacheries including forced and coerced conversions from Judaism to Roman Catholicism. The majority of these descendants are just beginning to discover their true identity and heritage. They are innately compelled to learn of the faith of their forefathers in light of a strong and undeniable passion for Erez Israel, the land of Israel.

Sephardic Anusim have been tagged with labels including:

• “Converso” (convert)
• “Nuevo Creyente”(new believer)
• “Marrano” (swine or pig; an insulting term used by Spanish anti-Semites.)
• “Crypto-Jew” (hidden Jew)
• “Anusim”

In recent years, many Sephardic Anusim have been reemerging in the Southwestern United States, namely New Mexico and Colorado. With their reemergence we are witnessing a prophecy unfold right before our eyes. What’s more, we have the opportunity to participate in it!

Dr. Sanchez’ presentation is a perfect opportunity to…

• Invite friends and family, neighbors and co-workers who may be interested in this teaching.
• Help the Anusim of Colorado make Teshuvah (a return to the Torah) and ultimately, Aliyah (a return to the land).
• Spread a general awareness of the Torah to the Metro Denver area.