What are Sephardic Jews?

The terms "Sephardim" and "Sephardic Jews" refer to a specific Jewish community whose origins lie in Spain and Portugal . Their expulsion from the Iberian Peninsula At the end of the 15th century, Sephardic Jews are an important part of their identity . Today, Sephardic Jews live all over the world and strive to keep their language, Ladino, and their distinctive culture alive.

Origin of the Sephardim

The term "Sephardim" comes from the Hebrew word "Sepharad," which is mentioned in the Bible in the Book of Obadiah as a geographical location. Historically, "Sepharad" is often associated with the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). It is believed that the first Jewish communities settled in the region during Roman times, or perhaps even earlier. However, the major development of Sephardic identity began with the period of Arab rule on the Iberian Peninsula in the Middle Ages.

The heyday of the Sephardic Jews

During the Middle Ages, especially during the Islamic rule of Spain and Portugal (c. 711 to 1492), Sephardic Jews experienced a flourishing of cultural, scientific, and economic activity. Jewish communities in cities such as Córdoba, Toledo, and Granada were renowned for their contributions in fields such as philosophy, medicine, astronomy, literature, and art. Many Sephardic Jews worked as merchants, scholars, or physicians and enjoyed a relatively high social standing.

During this cultural flowering, members of different religions lived together in harmony on the Iberian Peninsula and benefited from trade relations between different groups in different regions of Europe and beyond. Scientific exchange also took place across religious boundaries, benefiting everyone.

The expulsion of the Jews from Spain and Portugal

A dramatic turning point for the Sephardim came with the so-called "Reconquista" in 1492, when the Catholic kings Isabella and Ferdinand ended Muslim rule in Spain and unified the country. That same year, the Spanish royal couple issued an edict forcing all Jews to convert to Christianity or leave the country. A similar edict was also issued in Portugal in 1497.

Those who refused to convert were forced to leave the Iberian Peninsula and sought refuge in other countries, such as North Africa, the Ottoman Empire, Italy, and the Netherlands . Particularly large Sephardic communities formed in the important trading cities on the Mediterranean, where many Sephardim had business connections.

Those who remained became known as “Marranos,” a term originally meaning “pigs” and used for the coded, often secret Jewish practices of these converts.

Sephardic Diaspora

After the expulsion, Sephardic Jews spread throughout much of the world. Many Sephardic Jews found refuge, particularly in the Ottoman Empire (now Turkey, Greece, Israel, and other Balkan countries). In Thessaloniki, for example, the Jewish population between the World Wars was approximately 20%, making it arguably the largest Sephardic community in Europe.

Large Sephardic communities also formed in North Africa, serving as important stopping points for refugees from Europe even during World War II. However, after the decolonization of North Africa in 1960, Jews were also expelled from these Arab and/or Islamic countries, so that today there are virtually no Sephardic Jews left there.

Language, culture and traditions of the Sephardim

Sephardic Jews retain many of their unique cultural characteristics to this day. Their religious practices and holidays often have their own regional character. For example, Passover (Pesach) is somewhat different in Sephardic communities than in Ashkenazi (Jewish communities from Central and Eastern Europe) communities—with distinct customs and foods. Sephardic music, literature, and art are characterized by influences from various cultures, including Arab, Christian, and Jewish traditions.

Ladino, the language of the Sephardim, is an important cultural expression, even though it is spoken by only a small number of people today. Ladino is Spanish written with Hebrew characters. It has been described as a mixture of Old Spanish, Hebrew, Turkish, and other regional languages ​​and is a fascinating example of cultural exchange in the diaspora.

The Sephardim in the present

Today, Sephardic descendants live in many parts of the world, particularly in Israel, the United States, Latin America, and Europe. Their history is a significant part of the Jewish diaspora and its cultural diversity. In Israel, for example, Sephardic Jews make up a significant portion of the population and have contributed significantly to the development of modern Israeli society.

Sephardic Jews are a fascinating and diverse community whose history is deeply rooted in the cultural and religious landscape of the Jewish world. Their experience of displacement and diaspora is a distinctive part of their identity, and their contributions to diverse societies are invaluable. The legacy of Sephardim lives on in many parts of the world, and their traditions and history are an important part of global Jewish heritage. Many Sephardic communities today struggle with the challenge of preserving their unique traditions and language.

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 .