Casa Shalom
Institute for Marrano-Anusim Studies

Casa Shalom - Report 1999

The Gloria Mound lectures in UK and America in February and beginning of March went exceptionally well. In many of the venues it was a case of "Standing room only" with people sitting on the floor and many turned away for lack of space.

There will be further 2/3 lecture tours in America and the UK during the rest of this year and into 2000. The Lectures are accompanied by unique slides (WHICH INCLUDE PHOTOS OF THE 1999 Ibiza Seder) as well as cassetes. The presentation appeals to all ages and levels. The costs are exceptionally low, as most of the air-fare is sponsored.

American connections

The American part of the tour was combined with implementing the 18th century Jewish connections of the Balearic immigration to Florida project. This is being done under the auspisis of the Judaic Department of the University of Miami. Already a great many of the families that came from Minorca (the second largest Balearic Island of Spain) have been listed according to their names as of Jewish origin. In addition, some continuing Jewish customs have been found to this day amongst their descendents who now live in the town of San Augustine where so many of the Minorcans finally settled.

We are most grateful for all the support we have received to carry out the project, especially from the Schalit Foundation, The Universities of Miami and Florida (Gainsville), as well as the citizens of San Augustine.

The current reports along with the links to Marranos in the earliest Spanish settlers now places the arrival of Jews in Florida to over one century earlier than at previously believed. The project continues and we shall be pleased to update you again in the near future.

Seder in Ibiza

After returning to Israel for just two weeks at the beginning of March, and thanks to the number of new members and supporters we were able to make whilst abroad, arrangements went ahead to go forward with aceeding to the pleas of the Jews in Ibiza to come and make Seder for them again for the third year in succession.

We are exceptionally grateful to The American Joint Distribution Committee, who provided us with 85 kilos of Matzos and the wine for the Seder, to El-Al Airlines who enabled us to transport the 100% of the necessary fully Kosher foods (we purchased just fruit, fish and vegetables locally), to The Matutes Foundation who provided a considerable amount of the local transporation and to In Europa Handling Company who took care so ably yet again, of the arrival of the Matzos.

Sadly the Spanish Authorities (Customs) were not so kind, insisting that the Matzos must be analysed and go onto to Majorca (even though today this make of Israeli Matzos, AVIV, is exported all over the world). We were very heavily taxed by them for this action to bring in the Matzos to Ibiza, even though we had full certification beforehand.

Nevertheless I am most happy to report that this was possibly our most successful Passover to date. We were twenty five participants, many who attended for the first time in their lives. It would have been many more persons but there was a severe Flu epidemic, and some doubted if we really would be able to raise the necessary funds or find suitable accommodation again this year, which meant some went away for the Festival.

In addition to providing for our guests, we delivered Matzot to thirty nine other families. We entertained almost daily and for each Shabbat, for the three weeks we were there. In addition research, lectures, gave out books etc. We feel that such actions keep alive these peoples Jewish identity and ties with Israel. We must hope and pray we shall get continued support and increased membership, which will enable our projects to go forward THROUGHT THE YEAR. We are trying now to raise money for some of the YOUTH who show exceptional interest to come to Israel to study.

Data on secret Jewish practices

We are continuing to receive data about secret Jewish practices from large and small groups around the world... the details continue to be fascinating. We AT ALL TIMES RESPECT THE PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF ANYBODY WHO GIVES US MATERIAL, but it looks as if we shall have permission from most of these contributors to our Archives, plus our own researches , to publish a second members "Casa Shalom Journal" this year, hopefully about Rosh Hashanna time.

This is acting on the premise that all outstanding subscriptions for 1999 come in and we continue to make NEW MEMBERS, something that is VITAL to our being able to carry on. Back copies of the Journal can be purchased by MEMBERS at $6 each inc. postage. Many members have expressed great satisfaction from the Genealogical searches we have managed to do for them at such small cost to themselves.

Conclusion

We thank you all for your interest and support and look forward to staying in touch and pray we can count on your continud support.

Last updated: 29 Jan, 2007