Special Guest Speaker
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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.
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