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“The lecture was not only informative, but an empowering experience”

“Unbelievable – I heard things I would never have believed...”

“The lecture was fantastic – and was accompanied by an eye-opening presentation”

“I was moved to tears – it was a privilege to hear Yossi's lecture”

“I was missing a piece of the puzzle – and you provided me with the missing piece”

+972-507-243-268
  • עברית
  • English
  • Português
  • Catalan
  • Español
  • Judeoespañol
Menu
  • עברית
  • English
  • Português
  • Catalan
  • Español
  • Judeoespañol

“The lecture was not only informative, but an empowering experience”

“Unbelievable – I heard things I would never have believed...”

“The lecture was fantastic – and was accompanied by an eye-opening presentation”

“I was moved to tears – it was a privilege to hear Yossi's lecture”

“I was missing a piece of the puzzle – and you provided me with the missing piece”

Fascinating
Lecture

Sweeping stories which cannot be believed that still happen today in our global village

Personal
Stories

About surprising encounters with the descendants of the Anusim

Worth more than
a thousand words

The lecture paints a picture of the reality in which people to this day still live with the Spanish Expulsion

Active in the Field

In ongoing contact with the descendants of the Anusim, and representative in Israel of “Tarbut Sefarad”, the organization for the Anusim

The Story of a Key

As a descendant of the Jews expelled from Tarragona, the descendants of the Anusim presented me with the Key to the City. Conveying messages through symbols and intimations is routine for the Hidden Jews. The outside of the Star of David is not symmetric. It seems broken. Evidence of destruction?

The Key of the Jewish Quarter of the city of Taragona.

It was designed in honor of the Jewish descendants of the city, like my family, the Taragan family, who were expelled in 1492 under the Edict of Granada (the expulsion decree).

Description: 19 cm, bronze

The side of the key that goes into the lock is designed like a 7-arm candelabra, concealed. The Hebrew inscription “Shalom Taragona”, and the letter “T”, the fist letter of the city of Tarragona.

There was nothing left but the hole left in the metal. Represents hundreds of years without a Jewish presence. The space left in the hearts of the Marranos who had to flee.

speaking before the descendants of the Anusim on the ruins of the synagogue in Tarragona

Play Video

speaking before the descendants of the Anusim in the Sephardi Synagogue in Jerusalem

Play Video

Audience Testimonials

“I would like to recommend Yossi Ben Dor, both as a lecturer on the subject of the “the Descendants of the Anusim today” and also as a guide in Spain, especially in Catalonia.  During a course that I coordinated a few months ago, Yossi gave a fantastic lecture called – The sons of the Anusim – Dealing with Reality”. The lecture flowed and was accompanied by an eye-opening presentation. In addition, Yossi has profound knowledge of the challenges faced by these descendants in Spain, who discover their Jewish roots and their subsequent dilemmas on what to do 500 years later. There are those who can lecture on the history of the Anusim, but Yossi was wise to lecture on the current problems still faced by the Anusim today. This requires in-depth knowledge of the field, of the people themselves who face these dilemmas of memorials and memorializing. Very well done!”

Dr. Uriel Feinermann
Dr. Uriel FeinermannHistorian

“Your lecture and activities for the descendants of the Anusim is  in my view no less than holy work. Unfortunately, this subject is little known in Israel, and definitely not by our education system. Everyone should hear and experience through your lecture more about the descendants of the Anusim and their ties to the Jewish people and the State of Israel. I have heard your lectures and we also met some of these descendants, and even though I am an historian, this was for me a special and empowering experience. I hope many more are exposed to this subject through your fascinating lectures.”

Dr. Oded Avisar
Dr. Oded AvisarHistorian

“I had the privilege of hearing Yossi Ben Dor's lecture several months ago on this fascinating subject. I was deeply impressed with Yossi's knowledge. He studied and researched his topic in depth and his lecture was most interesting and was accompanied by photos and personal experiences. I thought the lecture was especially fascinating because it was presented from Yossi's own personal history. Yossi shared with his audience his own personal experience on his journey to discover his family's roots, which are intertwined with the history of the Jewish people,  and I was moved to tears. It is evident that Yossi is deeply connected to this fascinating subject. I highly recommend listening to Yossi. I was enriched and moved.”

Wendy Kansky
Wendy KanskyTranslator

“Unbelievable. I learned things I was not aware of and would not have believed that happen in 2018. Yossi tells his story with a catching enthusiasm and one cannot remain indifferent to the revelations that come up from the stories of the contemporary (Hidden) Jews in the diaspora who are torn between the past and the present, are not recognized or acknowledged and live in inner conflict. I recommend that anyone who wishes to expand his horizons and learn about a subject you cannot hear on any other channel, station or newspaper, to listen to Yossi lecture on this special topic. “

Ben Rosenthal
Ben RosenthalProgrammer

“Everyone knows the Holocaust was 70 years ago, and all they know about the Expulsion from Spain is in the context of  apologies and getting passports.  No one asks himself what happened to those descendants who got lost along the way. There was a piece missing in the puzzle for me and you filled in the missing piece. I heard your lecture “the Descendants of the Anusim – Dream and Reality”. The lecture was fascinating and moving, powerful and will be remembered for many years. The lecture was accompanied by a presentation and beautiful pictures. You help hearts grow closer and return descendants back to the fold, and you are a close far memory of a descendant of the city of Tarragon. Wishing you continued and productive work.”

Shelly Sonek
Shelly SonekTour Guide

“Yossi Ben Dor Taragan's lecture was not only informative, but also an experience and empowering. The Expulsion of the Jews from Spain was the Big Bang of the Jewish world, the consequences of which we feel to this very day. The descendants of the Anusim are evidence of that Holocaust and are not only symbolic witnesses to the Holocaust that happened in the late 15th century in Spain, and in the early 16th century in Portugal. 

Yossi's lecture ends the never ending circle of the descendants of the Anusim who secretly kept in their souls (not always consciously) the experiences of those difficult times in the Christian world on the one hand, and on the other vis-a-vis those descendants who were more conscious of the traditions of their fathers, despite their roaming around the world, in countries around the Middle east, in Europe and later also in the US in vibrant and culturally rich Spanish communities.  Here in Israel, the question keeps on being asked how brothers who were separated 500 years ago will close the circle. This is the essence of Yossi Ben Dor's lecture.”

Yohai Copenhagen
Yohai Copenhagen“Yad Vashem” Holocaust Museum Guide, and Tour Guide

“Thank you for today's lecture. You opened a mysterious and amazingly powerful Pandora's Box, perhaps a series of lectures are needed. It is thought-provoking about our people and our future, mainly our future. I was left quite stunned.”

Nahum Cohen
Nahum CohenUrban Planner
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About the Lecture

They live the trauma of the expulsion from Spain

They are still afraid to identify themselves publicly

The Inquisition taught them that life and death depends on their tongues

These are the Hidden Jews, who for over 500 years passed on in secret the knowledge of their Judaism, at real risk to their lives.

500 years after my family’s previous generations were expelled from Tarragona in Spain in 1492, I met the sons and daughters of the Anusim whose Jewish ancestors were forced to convert to Christianity to save their lives and continue to live their lives in Spain.

In the recent decade these Hidden Jews have begun to discover their roots, and some are trying to return to Judaism.

In a moving and emotional ceremony, a group of sons of the Anusim awarded me the key to the city of Tarragona and I was invited to inaugurate a marble plaque in Hebrew calling for all the Jews who were expelled from Tarragona to return and revive the days of old.

Through my own personal stories and experiences I wish to turn the spotlight on the descendants of the Anusim, who to this very day conceal more than they reveal.

FAQs

How long is the lecture?

45 mins to 75 mins.

Who is the target audience?

anyone who is interested in Zionism, Judaism and History.

Is the lecture suitable for home meetings?

Absolutely.

What are the technical requirements?

microphone, screen and projector

What languages do you lecture in?

Hebrew and Spanish

Leave a message

  • +972-507-243-268
  • spainisrael@gmail.com
  • +972-507-243-268
  • spainisrael@gmail.com
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  • עברית
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Menu
  • עברית
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  • עברית
  • English
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  • Catalan
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  • Judeoespañol
Menu
  • עברית
  • English
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  • Judeoespañol

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