The Legacy of Sephardic Jews in Europe and Americas An Interview with Israeli writer Dov Lipschutz..
- Geisel Ramos
- 24 de out. de 2025
- 5 min de leitura
The history of Jewish influence in the Americas is a subject that continues to provide a wealth of content from a collection that is almost inexhaustible, although it has already been studied and served as inspiration for scientific works and literary pieces of the most diverse genres, due the importance of the Jewish people in the formation of the society of the New World.
However, even before the first navigators arrived on the American continent, after which the first Jews began to settle in the newly discovered lands, a vibrant cultural and religious heritage was already manifesting itself in medieval Europe, within Jewish communities spread across the entire continent, testifying to the contribution this people bequeathed to all of humanity.
This millenary group is not uniform, subdividing into various segments based on their geographical and cultural origins, with the best-known classification categorizing Jews into Ashkenazi (originally from Germany and spread throughout Central and Eastern Europe) and Sephardic (originating from the Iberian Peninsula – Spain and Portugal – and who, after the expulsion, dispersed throughout North Africa, the Middle East and other parts of Europe).
Brazil received a considerable contingent of both communities, with the remarkable fact that the Sephardic people concentrated in the North and, mainly, in the Northeast of Brazil, where several studies indicate that the majority of its population has Jewish ancestry. This fact is corroborated by the various traces in the cuisine, in daily customs, in some clothing and in the various surnames characteristic of the “New Christians” (Jews and their descendants who were forced to convert to Christianity in the Iberian Peninsula, especially at the end of the 15th century), that many carry on their birth certificates.
As part of the effort to keep this Sephardic heritage alive in the history of the two continents, some modern writers have published important works, whether fiction or new academic studies. RedeVox News spoke with Dov Lipschutz, an Israeli writer and librarian, who recently released the novel “O Menino de Sagunto” (“The Boy from Sagunto”), which narrates a little of this rich historical patrimony that the Sephardic people presented us with.
Here are excerpts from the interview.
Mr. Lipschutz, can you describe the highlights of your novel "The Boy from Sagunto"?
The Boy from Sagunto tells the story of Yosef, a young man from the Jewish community of Sagunto, Spain, who is kidnapped and embarks on a journey through Africa—first to survive and, later, to try to return to his homeland, the Iberian Peninsula. In a short time, he is reunited with his parents, only to discover that another journey awaits him—the expulsion of the Jews from Spain. In my novel, I don´t ignore the historical context: the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella and the first voyages to the New World. The book is part of a trilogy; the second volume is already in the editing phase and takes place about thirty years later. I won't reveal much, but I can say that it begins in the defeated Aztec Empire. In these books, I give life to the heritage of the Sephardic Jews, a legacy that continues today in various aspects—mainly in religious and musical culture.
How did this passion for Sephardic history arise in you?
The passion for history and culture has always been present in me. My father is a man of books, and as a child, I was a member of the school library and the municipal library. I´ve always been attracted to History and Geography, and I developed a deep love for the Sephardic heritage. Over time, this led me to pursue a master's and a doctorate in Sephardic Jewish Literature—perhaps out of curiosity, and perhaps because my own background is half Ashkenazi and half North African, where my mother was born.
Is there interest in discovering this Sephardic legacy among the new generations in Israel?
The younger generation in Israel is constantly discovering new areas of interest. A surprising example of renewed enthusiasm for the Sephardic tradition is the growing participation of young people in the Selichot nights (Jewish penitential prayers for forgiveness and repentance) at the Western Wall in Jerusalem and elsewhere. The Selichot prayers, with their beautiful melodies, developed mainly in the Iberian Peninsula and later spread throughout the Mediterranean with the exiles from Spain. However, there is still relatively little knowledge about the broader history of Sephardic Judaism. I, along with several other writers, am trying to make this rich heritage more accessible through storytelling.
Has your work transcended the borders of your country? How was it received?
My work has not yet reached much beyond Israel, although it has received a wonderful response from Yehoram Gaon—a very famous Israeli singer of Sephardic origin, who also performs in Ladino. I also sent two copies of my book to a friend, a guide at the Jewish Museum of Sagunto. He deeply appreciated my tribute and even took a picture of the book against the backdrop of the streets of the judería (the old Jewish quarter).
Do you consider this knowledge of Sephardic history important for the Ibero-American people?
Indeed. First, because a significant part of the culture and language of Latin America originates in the Iberian Peninsula—with its diverse cultural influences, including the Jewish one. Furthermore, a portion of the population in countries like Mexico, Brazil, and the Caribbean islands descends from conversos (Jews forcibly converted to Christianity). Secondly, one cannot ignore that, parallel to the dissemination of Iberian culture, came the persecution of the native peoples of the Americas—just as the Jews themselves were persecuted. The period I write about is precisely the era of the great voyages of discovery of the New World—including, of course, the discovery of Brazil.
Finally, would you like to leave a message for your future Brazilian readers?
To my new friends in Brazil—I deeply admire the Brazilian joie de vivre, along with the beautiful music, vibrant culture, human warmth, and deep humanity that define your country. At the same time, it is important to recognize the cultural foundations upon which all this is based—and to understand that part of it also came from across the sea, from the Iberian Peninsula.
Thank you, Mr. Lipschutz, and congratulations on your important work. Mazel tov!
Thank you!
Note:
Currently, “O Menino de Sagunto” can only be purchased in Hebrew, on digital book platforms, such as Ivrit Digital Books.
Interview in Brazilian Portuguese Language >> Click on the flag or link below
More information about the author and his work can be found on his personal Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dov.lipschutz/
Images: Dov Lipschutz's personal archive.
Interview conducted by the journalist Geisel Ramos (DRT 007984/PE)
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