Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies
 | |
| Formation | 1991 |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit |
| Purpose | Research on Crypto-Judaism |
| Website | www |
The Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies (SCJS) is an American non-profit organization that promotes historical research and contemporary developments concerning Sephardic Crypto-Jews and their descendants, who are part of the Jewish diaspora originating from Spain and Portugal. The organization hosts an annual conference and publishes a biannual journal.
History
[edit]The SCJS was founded in 1991 by Rabbi Joshua Stampfer of Portland, Oregon, and Dr. Stanley Hordes of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and playwright Rena Down of New York City.[1][2]
The organization's primary mission is to promote historical research and contemporary developments related to Sephardic Crypto-Jews and their descendants, who are part of the Jewish diaspora originating from Spain and Portugal and now dispersed globally. Initially founded as a strictly academic and research-focused institution, the organization has since broadened its scope to become multidisciplinary. Its membership has also expanded to include non-academics from diverse cultural backgrounds, embracing both religious and secular identities. Some members belong to mainstream Jewish communities, while others are laypersons who follow non-Jewish traditions or faiths.[3][4]
The organization hosts annual meetings that bring together both academics and non-academics to discuss recent research and narratives related to Crypto-Jewish studies.[3] A significant portion of attendees are from New Mexico and the broader Southwestern United States,[3][5] a region with historical ties to Sephardic Jews dating back to early colonization.[6] The conferences typically feature a keynote address, presentations on recent research, personal accounts from individuals reconnecting with their Crypto-Jewish heritage, business meetings, and entertainment. SCJS has also explored DNA studies, particularly in relation to Crypto-Jews, other Sephardic groups, and the broader Jewish community.
In 2011,[7] the SCJS affiliated with the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) to create a scholarly research program. The goal of this program was to promote interdisciplinary work between the school's faculty, the student body, members of the community, researchers, and the extended Jewish community. It was described as the "first university-based program in the United States" focused on advancing research in Sephardic Crypto-Jewish studies. The program also aimed to develop a dedicated curriculum to cover this topic.[8] That same year, UCCS hosted the SCJS annual conference on its campus.[9]
Publications
[edit]The SCJS publishes an biannual journal called HaLapid (Hebrew: The Torch), which features research articles and stories submitted by writers on topics related to Sephardim and Crypto-Judaism.[10][11] The journal mostly includes refereed academic research articles, personal stories by descendants of Crypto-Jews, and news items, but also includes occasional poetry, links for related websites, and other items of interest.
SCJS also publishes a free online newsletter called La Granada for its subscribers.[12] Unlike HaLapid, which is published biannually, La Granada is released several times throughout the year to provide updates and developments between HaLapid's issues.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ "Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies". eSefarad. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- ^ Wheelwright, Jeff (October 2008). "The 'Secret Jews' of San Luis Valley". Smithsonian Magazine.
- ^ a b c Kunin 2009, p. 24–26.
- ^ "Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies 28th Annual Conference". Jewish Heritage Alliance. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- ^ Veciana-Sanchez, Ana (July 13, 2015). "Conference on Crypto-Jews Comes to Miami for First Time". Miami Herald.
- ^ Kunin 2023, p. 151.
- ^ "Seeking a Permanent Home: Dolores "Dolly" Sloan • SJCS President, 2011–2013" (PDF). HaLapid. p. 10.
- ^ "Historical Fiction –The Frontier between Imagination and Reality" (PDF). University of Colorado Colorado Springs. November 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 3, 2024.
- ^ McGraw, Carol (March 1, 2011). "UCCS hosts conference on Sephardic Jew". The Gazette.
- ^ "HaLapid: The Official Publication of Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies". Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- ^ Liebman Jacobs 2002, p. 13.
- ^ "La Granada: Society of Crypto-Judaic Newsletter" (PDF). eSefarad. February 2023.
- ^ "La Granada: Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies Online Newsletter". Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
Bibliography
[edit]- Liebman Jacobs, Janet (2002). Hidden Heritage: The Legacy of the Crypto-Jews. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520936614. OCLC 51822234.
- Kunin, Seth D. (2023). Reflections on A New Mexican Crypto-Jewish Song Book. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781666926583. OCLC 1378934911.
- Kunin, Seth Daniel (2009). Juggling Identities: Identity and Authenticity Among the Crypto-Jews. Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231512572. OCLC 1091532912.
External links
[edit]| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
