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Apr. 4, 2021 10:44 AM
PORTO – While most European countries are contending with declines in their Jewish populations, one Portuguese community is experiencing a remarkable renewal some 500 years after the Inquisition.
The maritime city of Porto in northern Portugal has seen its Jewish community increase more than tenfold since 2013, and while it currently only totals 500 members, that rapid growth is still noteworthy.
“Jews coming to Porto have found an environment of tolerance, little antisemitism, and an active and welcoming community,” says Michael Rothwell, a member of the board of the Jewish Community of Oporto (as the city is also known in English). He explains that there are weekly Shabbat services, Sephardi style (on the High Holy Days, both Ashkenazi and Sephardi traditions are observed), a kosher hotel and restaurant, and a Jewish education center.
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The interior of the Holocaust Museum of Porto, January 2021. (Courtesy of the Jewish Community of Porto/ via JTA)
JTA Portugal has opened its first Holocaust museum, built in the northern city of Porto by members of a Jewish community that was founded by descendants of victims of the Inquisition.
The Holocaust Museum of Porto was developed in cooperation with the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center in Moscow and other institutions. It opened on January 20, the Jewish Community of Oporto, an organization representing local Jews, said in a statement. It expects to receive 10,000 visitors a year when emergency restrictions connected to the COVID-19 pandemic are lifted.
Portugal is set to open its first Holocaust museum, built in the northern city of Porto by members of a Jewish community that was founded by descendants of victims of the Inquisition.
The Holocaust Museum of Porto was developed in cooperation with the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center in Moscow and other institutions. It will open on Jan. 20, the Jewish Community of Oporto, an organization representing local Jews, said in a statement, and expects to receive 10,000 visitors a year when emergency restrictions connected to the Covid-19 pandemic are lifted.
On Jan. 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, students from across Portugal will visit the museum, the statement said.
Portugal is set to open its first Holocaust museum, built in the northern city of Porto by members of a Jewish community that was founded by descendants of victims of the Inquisition.