Jews of Portugal and their recent rebirth
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Jews of Portugal and their recent rebirth
They enjoy strong communal infrastructure, such as youth centers, kosher restaurants and hotel arrangements, a mikvah and museums.
(April 26, 2021 / JNS)
Experts in global Jewish history believe that highlighting minority voices within the Jewish community has the power to honor its nuances and interconnectedness. JNS’s new series highlighting Jewish ethnic minorities aims to elevate their voices, and in turn, celebrate the beautiful mosaic that is the Jewish people.
The history of Jews in Portugal predates the country’s official founding in 1143, as Jews lived in the kingdom for millennia, even prior to the Roman Empire. The Jewish people have thrived in the land, been expelled from the land, returned, and have, in the past six years, experienced a rebirth.
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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.
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