Michael Freund returns to the 92Y for a conversation with Chueta Regina FortezaMichael Freund retorna a 92Y para conversar con la chueta Regina Forteza
Michael Freund and Regina Forteza to speak at 92Y event on March 22, 2012
In the 14th and 15th centuries, tens of thousands of Spanish and Portuguese Jews were dragged to the baptismal font and compelled to accept Catholicism against their will. At grave risk, they defied the Inquisition and continued to pass down elements of their Jewish heritage covertly from generation to generation to descendants known by the Hebrew term “Bnei Anousim.” In the time since the downfall of Spain and Portugal’s dictatorial regimes, an increasing number of Bnei Anousim have begun to emerge from the shadows of history.
Following his previous appearance at the 92Y earlier this year in January, Shavei Israel founder Michael Freund will return to New York to address this fascinating topic in a talk entitled the “Vanquishing the Inquisition at its Source: The Bnei Anousim of Spain and Portugal.
Freund will be joined in conversation by Regina Forteza, a “Chueta” who was born in the Palma de Majorca region of Spain to a traditional Catholic family with strong Jewish roots. Chueta is a derogatory term for descendants of Majorcan Jews who were forced to convert to Catholicism in the 15th century. While this designation has carried shame for many over the years, Forteza embraces her Chueta identity with pride. Forteza’s father and grandfather have maintained family historical information indicating their identity as Chuetas
The event will take place at the 92Y this Thursday, March 22, 2012, at 8:15 PM. If you’ll be in New York and you’d like more details on the evening, or information on how to order tickets, please visit the 92Y website.
The evening is sponsored by Shavei Israel with promotional partners the Jewish International Connection, Beit Hatfutsot of America and Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun.
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Michael Freund and Regina Forteza to speak at 92Y event on March 22, 2012
En los siglos XIV y XV, decenas de miles de españoles y portugueses judíos fueron llevados a la fuente bautismal y obligados a convertirse al catolicismo en contra de su voluntad. Tomando un gran riesgo, desafiaron a la inquisición y continuaron transmitiendo elementos judaicos a sus descendientes. Desde la caída de los regímenes dictatoriales de España y Portugal, un número cada vez mayor de bnei anusim comenzaron a emerger de las sombras de la historia.
Como continuación de su anterior presentación en 92Y, a comienzos de este año, el fundador de Shavei Israel Michael Freund, retornará a Nueva York para tratar este fascinante tema denominado “Derrotando a la inquisición: los bnei anusim de España y Portugal”.
Freund será acompañado por Regina Forteza, una “chueta” que ha nacido en la región de Palma de Mallorca en España, en una familia católica tradicional, con fuertes raíces judías. Chueta es un término peyorativo, utilizado para denominar a aquellos judíos que fueron forzados a convertirse al catolicismo en el siglo XV. Mientras que este término ha avergonzado a muchas personas durante años, Forteza adopta su identidad chueta con orgullo. El padre de Forteza, y su abuelo, han mantenido información histórica indicando su identidad chueta.
El evento tendrá lugar en el 92Y este jueves, 22 de marzo, 2012, a las 8:15 pm. El mismo, es esponsoreado por Shavei Israel, en asociación con Jewish International Connection, Beit Hatfutsot de América y la Comunidad Kehilath Jeshurun.