The expulsion of Sephardic Jews from Spain and Portugal
The history of Sephardic Jews is shaped by their expulsion from the Iberian Peninsula. In 1492, everything changed for the Jewish population of Spain: The Decree of Alhambra marked the beginning of one of the largest forced migrations in European history. But what led to this upheaval, and what traces did it leave behind?
Who were the Sephardic Jews?
Sephardic Jews are those who lived on the Iberian Peninsula until the end of the 15th century. Since ancient times, Jewish communities had established themselves there and contributed significantly to cultural and economic life—as doctors, philosophers, traders, translators, and poets. During the so-called 'Convivencia'—a period of relative coexistence between Christians, Jews, and Muslims in al-Andalus—Sephardic Judaism experienced a cultural heyday.
Political and religious tensions
As the Reconquista—the Christian reconquest of Muslim territories—progressed, the situation of Sephardic Jews gradually worsened. The growing influence of the Church, particularly through preachers like Vicente Ferrer in the 14th century, led to growing anti-Semitism. As early as 1391, severe pogroms broke out in many cities, in which thousands of Jews were murdered or forcibly baptized. Tensions between Christians, Jews, and the so-called 'conversos' (forcibly baptized Jews) increased. The Church viewed many 'conversos' with suspicion and suspected them of secretly practicing Judaism. This was a key pretext for the establishment of the Spanish Inquisition in 1478, which primarily targeted these new Christians—not openly practicing Jews.
The political background of the Alhambra Decree
After the victory over the Emirate of Granada in 1492, the Iberian Peninsula was completely under Christian control for the first time in centuries. For the Catholic kings Isabella and Ferdinand, this represented not only a political but also a religious victory. They saw themselves as defenders of the Catholic faith and wanted to create a purely Christian kingdom. Under the influence of the Dominican friar Tomás de Torquemada, the Alhambra Decree was issued. It declared that the presence of Jews posed a threat to the purity of the faith. All Jews were therefore ordered to be baptized or leave the country within four months. Estimates suggest that between 100,000 and 200,000 Jews were affected by the expulsion.
Flight and Diaspora
Many Sephardim fled to North Africa, the Ottoman Empire, Italy, the Netherlands, and even what is now the Balkans. The major trading cities of the Mediterranean, where Jewish traders had connections, also became places of refuge.
Portugal, initially considered safe, soon followed Spain in forcibly converting its Jewish population. In 1497, King Manuel I forced almost the entire Jewish population to be baptized. Open emigration was virtually impossible, and thus the centuries-long Jewish presence there, too, came to an abrupt end.
The legacy of the Sephardim
Despite expulsion and persecution, Sephardic Jews preserved their identity. They developed their own language—Ladino—and carried their traditions throughout the world: to Istanbul, Thessaloniki, Amsterdam, Marrakesh, Jerusalem, and later to North and South America. Today, many surnames, culinary specialties, and religious practices recall this rich culture.
Only since the 2010s have there been reparations programs in Spain and Portugal: descendants of Sephardic Jews can obtain citizenship under certain conditions.
In fall 2025, the JCOM will explore the music and culture of Sephardic Jews in the project THE KEYS OF TOLEDO. This project is funded by the Foundation for Remembrance, Responsibility and Future (EVZ) and the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) as part of the "National Socialist Injustice" educational program.
Current concert dates at www.jcom.de/konzerte .
