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Message: <br /><br /> If you are having trouble reading this email, you may view this article online at: http://www.jweekly.com/38373/full/38373/lost-jews-in-spain-discover-israel-advocacy-and-its-dangers/ <br /><br /> <b>‘Lost’ Jews in Spain discover Israel advocacy — and its dangers</b> <br /> Thursday, June 18, 2009 | by itamar eichner <br /><br /><p>barcelona  |  It’s been more than 500 years since the Spanish Inquisition, but it’s still not the easiest thing being a Jew in Spain these days. It’s even harder being a Catholic and discovering one day that you have deep Jewish roots.</p> <p>But today, many descendants of 15th century “anousim,” also known as Crypto-Jews or Marranos — Jews who were forced to convert during the Inquisition and camouflaged their Jewish practices — are now trying to return to their roots in this Mediterranean country.</p> <p>The Shavei Israel organization “holds out a hand” to “lost” Jews, those who for historical or geopolitical reasons were distanced from their faith over decades and centuries. Among them, they help interested b’nei anousim (descendants of the Crypto-Jews) to connect with and even convert to Judaism.</p> <p>In early June, 70 such b’nei anousim arrived at the Barcelona Jewish community center for an unprecedented conference intended to enlist their help in advocacy efforts for Israel in Europe. Most participants came from Spain, with some from Portugal and Italy.</p> <p>Professor Philippe Farau, one of the b’nei anousim who had been lighting Friday evening candles his entire life, described the hesitance of b’nei anousim in the region of declaring their Jewish roots publicly. He noted that, after his first interview on the subject, his mother called him worried about the implications.</p> <p>While Farau gives interviews frequently and is writing a book about his personal experiences, another conference participant, Edouard, a doctor from Spain, refused to be photographed or even provide his full name.</p> <p>In recent years he has received death threats after a Spanish Muslim Web site published a fatwa calling for his death and that of a number of his friends who have written newspaper articles and blogs in support of Israel.</p> <p>Edouard, who only found out six years ago about his Jewish background, has published over 1,600 pro-Israel articles to date, but does so using a pseudonym. He and his wife converted, but discreetly, because of remaining anti-Semitism by a new name: “The new anti-Semitism is anti-Israelism,” he says.</p> <p>Indeed, the Foreign Ministry lists Spain as one of the European nations most hostile toward Israel. Founders of pro-Israeli Web sites, such as 64-year-old Michael Segura, have had their homes attacked and spray-painted with swastikas.</p> <p>The enlistment of b’nei anousim began in late 2008, after strident anti-Israeli sentiment rose in Spain following the inception of Operation Cast Lead. In one anti-Israel protest, some 2,000 participants attacked the Israeli embassy in Madrid and vandalized it.</p> <p>A few days later, Shavei Israel director Michael Freund organized a pro-Israel counter-rally. Hundreds of the 4,000 participants were b’nei anousim who came from all over the country.</p> <p>According to Freund, an Israeli of American descent, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of b’nei anousim living on the Iberian Peninsula who are well aware of their heritage and have a connection with the Jewish people, even if they have not converted.</p> <p>“The fact that many of the are taking the initiative and asking to volunteer as advocates for Israel is an exciting historical development,” Freund said at the time. “This is an amazing advocacy army full of good will ambassadors. We must build up a long-term relationship with them.”</p>

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