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Jul 7, 2010

USCJ Resolution 2009: "Welcoming B'nai Anousim to Judaism and Memorializing the Spanish Inquisition As Part of Tisha B'Av Observances"

Social Action >> Convention Resolutions >> Resolutions by Year >> 2009 >> Tisha B'Av Observances

Welcoming B'nai Anousim to Judaism and Memorializing the Spanish Inquisition As Part of Tisha B'Av Observances

http://www.uscj.org/Tisha_BAv_Observance8243.html

WHEREAS the fast day of Tisha B'Av recalls the very Hebrew date upon which the Jews of Spain were expelled from their country in 1492; and

WHEREAS many Jews were forcibly converted to Christianity publicly then but continued to practice Judaism in secret; and

WHEREAS many of the descendants of those Jews, who are called B'nai Anousim, have returned formally to Judaism today, and many others are in the process of doing so;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism should cooperate with other arms of the Conservative movement to develop and disseminate appropriate educational materials welcoming the B'nai Anousim and memorializing the Spanish Inquisition as part of Tisha B'Av observances; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism encourages its affiliated congregations to use annual Tisha B'Av observances as an occasion to inform their members of the return of the B'nai Anousim to Judaism, to welcome them into their congregations, and to educate their members about the tragedy of the Spanish Inquisition.