Latin American Jews and the Legacy of Sepharad
As a proud Mexican American Jewish woman, I am intimately familiar with the vibrant Latin American Jewish community, estimated to number over 750,000, with about half of us living in the United States. For instance, the Jewish community in Mexico dates back to the colonial period, with many Jews arriving as Conversos fleeing the Inquisition, later reinforced by Jewish immigrants from many nations. Up to 25 percent of American Hispanics are thought to be of crypto-Jewish origin.
The Argentinian Jewish community, with about 200,000 members, is the largest in Latin America, and Argentina, too, has a president who identifies with the Jewish community. These diverse backgrounds have created a unique and dynamic Jewish culture in Latin American countries, blending traditions and fostering a deep connection to their Jewish and Latin roots.
Furthermore, the other legacy of Jews expelled from the Spanish and Portuguese Empires during the Inquisition is the Sephardic community, from the Hebrew word for “Spain.” Distinct from the Ashkenazi Jews of Eastern Europe, Sephardic traditions became dominant in Jewish communities in much of the Mediterranean and beyond.
Asian Jews
Jewish communities in India, such as the Bene Israel of Mumbai and the Cochin Jews of Kerala, have a rich history spanning two millennia or longer of vibrant life in India, integrating with local cultures and the challenges of the caste system while preserving their Jewish identity. Today, there are an estimated 85,000 Jews of Indian origin in Israel.
The once thriving Jewish communities of Central Asia have mostly migrated to Israel and elsewhere since the fall of communism, with an estimated 70,000 Bukharan Jews in the United States and about 150,000 in Israel. The entire Jewish population of Afghanistan also left the region in the late twentieth century with the rise of war and jihadism, with most of them now living in Israel and a small community in Queens, New York.
Survivors of China’s ancient Silk Road Jewish community persist in their longtime center of Kaifeng, with some descendants seeking new lives in Israel in recent years. In the nineteenthth century, the Baghdadi Jews of Iraq and India, including the famous Sassoon family, established Jewish institutions that persist today as the heart of modern Jewish congregations in cities like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
Confronting the Modern Antisemitism
Modern antisemitism seeks to undermine the Jewish people’s right to self-determination and erase our diverse identities. It is crucial to confront these challenges head-on by educating others about the true nature and powerful history of Jewish identity and the importance of Israel as an inclusive homeland for a profoundly diverse population of Jews.
The Racism of Denying Jewish Identity
Labeling all Jews as white or demanding that we all “go back” to Poland or Brooklyn, New York, as extremists routinely do, is inherently racist and antisemitic. It erases the rich diversity in our community and ignores the myriad multicultural and multiethnic experiences that shape Jewish identity. This reductionist view not only distorts the reality of who we are but also serves as a tool for modern antisemites to undermine our right to self-identify and our connection to each other.
The Jewish People’s Enduring Identity
Throughout millennia of exile, Jews have clung to our identity due to our shared history, family connections, the Hebrew language, and the ongoing experience of being marginalized and persecuted by majority groups almost everywhere we settled. This collective memory and resilience have been essential in preserving our traditions and ensuring our survival despite numerous attempts to eradicate us.
Jewish identity is not monolithic; it is a dynamic and evolving tapestry that reflects the experiences of Jews across different times and places. This diversity is a source of strength, allowing us to adapt and thrive in various contexts while maintaining our core values and traditions.
Conclusion
The Jewish community is a vibrant and diverse tapestry encompassing a multitude of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. From the Jews of Middle Eastern descent who make up nearly half the Jewish population of modern Israel to Black Jews from Ethiopia, from the historic Jews of Asia to the vibrant Latin American Jews, our collective identity is enriched by our differences. It is essential to recognize and celebrate this diversity, rejecting any attempts to erase our unique heritage and history.
As a proud Mexican American Jewish woman, I am committed to advocating for the recognition and respect of our diverse Jewish identities. Together, we can fight against racism and antisemitism, ensuring a future where all Jews can live openly and proudly as part of our global Jewish family.
Through its efforts to falsely categorize all Jews as white, modern antisemitism, among other injustices, poses a significant threat to our identity and human rights. By taking a stand against antisemitic rhetoric and actions, we can ensure that the Jewish community continues to thrive and contribute to the broader tapestry of humanity.