i'm a sephardic jew. what does that mean?

[@esthermorand7703]

You should definitely learn Ladino (if you want). A mini-series on your cultural/linguistic journey of ladino learning would be really interesting!

[@elyssedavega]

i agree! i already understand so much of it, we’ll see what happens :P

[@aharonfernandez6359]

@@elyssedavega Gibralterian Jews and ceuti Jews (my people, ceuta is below a tiny teeny point below straight of gibralter in North africa, geographically in Morocco but has been part of Spain since they expelled the moors more or less) as well as Spanish-Moroccan Jews (parts of north morocco that belonged to Spain instead of France) Spoke Haketiya and modern Spanish, as well as sometimes Judeo-moroccan Arabic. Ladino is more from Middle east and Balkans.

[@dare-er7sw]

@@elyssedavega it simply means beautiful :-)

[@yechezkelmendoza5698]

@@aharonfernandez6359 Funny you mention that about Ladino. Syrian Jews (My identity is associated with Jews of Syria but are familiar with Ladino culture).

[@aharonfernandez6359]

@@yechezkelmendoza5698 Ladino was spoken in Haleb by many until 1800s along with Arabic and a little longer in Shams. The Najjara brothers wrote some notes to each other containing ladino. I remember this from a lecture about the Music of Syrian Jews at the Museum for Jewish Heritage.

[@iriscstd]

i just teared up a bit when you started singing, so beautiful!! grateful to get to know you a little bit more! I wish you and your loved ones a happy new year, hopefully 2021 will be a better one for all of us!

[@elyssedavega]

aw omfg 🥺 i’ll be posting some ladino songs on twitter, you can always hear the emotion in it. happy holidays & happy new year Iris!!

[@coastalphriends4913]

Man! You rocked that! I don't know ladino, my familia is from Portugal! Whoop! Whoop! Summerville on the Plantation-side here!

[@moisessotomusic2285]

Los Judios sefardíes No salieron del norte de Sefarad. 🙄 Salieron del Sur de Sefarad.

[@mariaalcoholado7923]

​@@moisessotomusic2285no salieron, fueron cruelmente expulsados de su tierra después de vivir en ella, como españoles , más de 1000 años. Gran error de la reina católica, que dejó ir de ese modo gran parte de la riqueza del país, y no hablo de riqueza material, sino humana.

[@sulleng1rl]

We have loads of sephardic jews in the UK. Fun fact! fish and chips originated from sephardic jews who fled Portugal and introduced it to the locals which became a staple food in England.

[@CorrineAtlas]

I appreciate what you presented!!! I’m a Sephardic Jew like you and my family survived as crypto Jews in Latin America. I speak Ladino 🥰

[@cruces414]

Good luck in your journey! Here in Puerto Rico we are connected to the conversos sefardi culture. Sefardi influence it is evident in our food, our music and our beliefs. Shalom!

[@varunv2584]

Slave masters

[@CorrineAtlas]

@@varunv2584 Varun (also spelled Varuna) was the ancient Vedic god who was first associated with the sky, then later with rain and bodies of water, particularly the oceans and often the celestial ocean that surrounds Earth. He was also nicknamed "the god of natural and moral law" who harshly judged and punished evildoers. Yes-we’re enslaved by dogma universally 💫🔱 Love and light 💥🚀♾️

[@carlc5748]

@@cruces414 I was there in April explaining this to many people there, many people still have not been awakened as to their hidden heritage. My wife found out 11 years ago about her sephardic roots that YHWH gave her through a dream, and confirmed by a subsequent DNA test.

[@anselmosedillo7141]

I'm a Sephardic Jew too. Sedillo is a Sephardic Jewish surname. Our ancestors are Spanish Jews who were forced to convert to Catholicism. I was raised Catholic. Protestants aren't Christians.

[@frankjimenez9407]

Oh my god, just heard that singing and literally transported me somewhere I cannot explain. Thank you for sharing this. I grew up as a Pentecostal (in Seville, Spain) - although I would not identify as such anymore - but my grandma had a jewish maiden name. I walked around the jewish quarter in city center of Seville and tried to imagine how would have been 500 years ago. I think ladino is awesome and sounds even more awesome.

[@benavraham4397]

Jewishness is through the mother's line. Maybe you are Jewish from birth?

[@aishariel9924]

I’m Puerto Rican. My moms side is Sephardic. Our ancestry comes from Sevilla and the Canary Islands. She was raised Pentecostal as well. You’re probably Sephardic too 💕

[@alexeialexeiev9307]

BINDICHO NVESTRO D-S,BINDICHONVSTRO SEÑOR... BINDICHO NVESTRO SALVADOR...!!!

[@taratravels6235]

There’s something really powerful about practicing a religion that your ancestors practiced thousands of years before you. I’m Catholic and my ancestors have been so for at least a thousand years and so my faith and my heritage are super intertwined and a part of my identity. Best of luck on your journey with religion and heritage :)

[@elyssedavega]

that’s so true!! it was something they transitioned away from because of outside pressure, so reclaiming it makes it that much more powerful. that’s really awesome about your ancestors!

[@taratravels6235]

@@elyssedavega thanks!

[@АндрейЕфимов-в8ю]

But your ancestors were pagans for hundreds of thousands of years

[@Volzotran]

Thousand years aren't much, especially compared to the time our ancestors were pagans which includes most humans, just different regional religions. This line is much more powerful and ancient.

[@taratravels6235]

@@Volzotran okay well I guess it also helps that I believe in my religion, not in the pagan practices of the distant past. I didn’t determine my faith fully based on my ancestors, they just add a little more to the traditions

[@maxximum5980]

I’m not even Jewish, I’m Arab, but even after diving into several books on Jewish history and just autobiographies and diaries of Jewish people who have lived, even I recognize the important of a free Jewish state… without a free Jewish state Jews who aren’t orthodox would eventually not even exist…

[@gabriellawrence6598]

Interesting reveal. Here in Brazil, a significant part of the population (especially in the Northeast) have Sephardic roots. At least according to professor Anita Novinsky, a quarter of settlers in colonial Brazil were Sephardic Jews. There is even a movement of bnei anussim coming back to their ancestral ways.

[@elyssedavega]

this one i know about! i was talking to a Sephardic Brazilian friend about it, she lives around Recife. so interesting!

[@gabriellawrence6598]

@@elyssedavega yeah, the first synagogue in the Americas is right there, if I'm not mistaken

[@dkajee1]

@@gabriellawrence6598 yes, you're right! it's called "Sinagoga Kahal Zur Israel". I have been there last year (it's huuge! if anyone plans to go there as well, save a little time because you'll need it haha). (btw not bragging but it's located close to the third most beautiful street in the world - rua do bom jesus - according to the new york times :p)

[@debrafirestone861]

@@Reeypol We are not obligated to do anything like that in America 🇺🇸 No one should be obligated to do anything they don’t want to that’s called Fasisum or tollitarin don’t know if I spelled it right. But you get where I’m coming from

[@tblue303]

The first synagogue in the Americas was actually founded in Recife by Sephardic Jews from the Netherlands hundreds of years ago when it was still a Dutch colony. When the Portuguese reclaimed northeastern Brazil from the Dutch, many of the Jews apparantly migrated to North American Dutch colony of new Amsterdam which is now New York city.

[@nahuilegorreta6572]

There is a Tom Hanks movie from 1986 that is partially in Ladino and deals with Sephardic Jews in Jerusalem during WW2. It's called "Everytime We Say Goodbye"

[@elyssedavega]

awesome i’ll look it up!

[@ldarenb5]

Yes, it's a pretty good movie.

[@98dodgediesel5]

My mother's part of the family ancestry comes from Spain. My mom has Sephardic in her as well as native Indian & German. My Father is a full blooded mexican. I am very proud of my spanish blood 🇪🇸 and I am very proud a who I am.

[@jeremyelkayam]

As a person with sfarad descent myself, this video was really educational to me!! The amount of knowledge you’ve shared has inspired me to learn more about the sefardi side of my family.

[@elyssedavega]

Great to hear!

[@Georgelooney87]

My dad was from Liverpool, England. He didn't know his biological father. He was told by his mother that he was a Jew called MIchael Wallis. I always wondered about this mystery so I got a DNA test. It came back 76 percent Irish, Scottish , Welsh and the rest was about 14 perfect Iberian, around 10 percent Italian and 1 point something percent North African. I believe my paternal grandfather was a Jew of Sephardic origin. The first Jews that came to England were from Spain and converts it seems.

[@mariaamparoromerovicent955]

Los Íberos no somos Semitas,somos R1B,pero eso sale si te haces el Test del ADN

[@Breas-md6hc]

1% , I dont think your grandfather was a jew if he was you would be a minimum of 25%... you need to beca son of God, believe on Jesus.

[@peterwentz4228]

Thank you for sharing this part of your identity. While watching this video, I was waiting for you to mention the Ladino and not only did you mention it, you sang one of my favorite Sephardic songs. So beautiful.

[@elyssedavega]

Thank you for caring! and yes, it’s so beautiful i wouldn’t dare leave it out!

[@thetopcat8946]

My ancestors came here to Ireland from Spain..on fathers side. My mothers came to Scotland. We were able to trace both sides right back. It has been a wonderful journey 😊.. I visited Israel 3 years ago. It was so helpful for my journey.

[@LatinNY7]

Growing up Catholic, my grandmother was singing Ocho Kandelikas during the month of December. I was about 9 or 10 years old.

[@TheChicagoRose]

Ladino sounds so beautiful

[@abgaval9520]

It's almost like Spanish. I ve never learnt ladino, Im from Mexico, and reading ladino I am able to understand 100%. Amazing right? 🙃🙂🤙

[@A-ID-A-M]

@@abgaval9520 because it is Spanish. it's Jewish Spanish. Its like the difference between Spain and LA Spanish.

[@calebedantas2077]

Agreed but I believe she made it sound that beautiful haha

[@armandorodriguez6447]

Spanish with a slight twist but still very Spanish

[@ricardo82carvalho]

@@A-ID-A-M Actually ladino is a mixture of old Romance languages including old Argonese old Catalan old Galician/Portuguese etc it's not necessarily only one

[@UtopiaLiber3]

Hi! I'm from Spain and I'm really interested in Sephardic history, as I believe most of spaniards have some Jewish ancestors. I loved your personal story and I was amazed by the fact that I can understand almost 100% of Ladino! Thanks for sharing your story ❤️

[@anniescorfano]

Hi! My ancestors were Sephardic jews and my grandpa was one too! But little ol me didn’t know anything about my crypto Jewishness Untill well now! It makes me laugh how most Latinos (I’m latina but come from Jewish roots) think that they’re “descendant from aztecs” because clearly they don’t realize that they’re ancestors are 80% likely to be Sephardic jews. You can easily spot them out with the last names or even the ethnic features. Like a husky, it’s wolfness will always stand out and never change because they’re descended from the wolves. Just like that is how I think of most Latinos, still have their Jewishness and don’t even know it!

[@carlc5748]

I hope to visit spain in the future, because of the rich history there.

[@Greezy2000]

@@anniescorfano I wonder, what are your thoughts about Judaism before and after, and do you do anything related to Judaism today?

[@anniescorfano]

@@Greezy2000 if I said my response to this comment rn it would be taken down🙂🙂

[@Greezy2000]

@@anniescorfano You can try

[@alaverga07]

I randomly started finding interest in learning more about Jewish history, roughly a week ago. Today, I found out I have Jewish blood in me. What a coincidence! Now I'm here watching this video to try and learn more.

[@mariocroatia9321]

Hi.Im from Croatia and I recently found out my grandfather (mothers's side) was Jewish.He was a half Sephardi and half Ashkenazi Jew from the Balkans where both tribes lived together for few hunderd years. I find it so fascinating to find a part of my herritage i knew nothing about.I even did a ethnic DNA test and it shows... 1/4 of my DNA is Jewish

[@greysitecontent]

Was adopted at 18 months old. Found out when I was 35 my father was Ashkenazi (both parents) but in my mother’s side Sephardic. Have been doing a lot of genealogy. Been practicing over the last few years. It has explained a ton abut the way i naturally have been my whole life.

[@janettescarlet8895]

I’m a Christian born and raised but cried when she sung . Beautiful 😍

[@heidigreen821]

I’ve been looking up old records on my family tree and found a lot of records stating from both of parents sides stating they had grandparents who were Sephardic Jews. so I decided to come educate myself on them. My jaw DROPPEDDDDD when you sung!!!! Omgggg you are AMAZING!

[@isihosena635]

Please consider making full versions of traditional Sephardi songs, you absolutely blew me away with your singing!

[@elyssedavega]

Hahaha good idea!

[@ShoshYusufov]

I am a Mizrahi Jew. there are many languages to Mizrahi Jews and mine is Juhuri (for we are called Juhuro - the mountain Jews) and many of our Rabbis prayed in Aramaic and Hebrew, because we lived in the middle east close to the holly land all those years (so I speak all of those 3 languages).

[@erikpj441]

So weird… I thought I was the only person who grew up like this. I am from American southwest and my great grandparents always told us that we were Sephardic Jews that came from Spain to settle here, but everyone was very much a practicing Catholic growing up. I feel so bad because I don’t know more about what it means to be Sephardic Jew. I usually just identify as Hispanic? I wish I knew more people like me who have reconnected …I wouldn’t even know where to start

[@TheMouryan]

Coming from India, a country that has so few Jews that I can count on the fingers of one hand, a country that’s far away from the Jewish lands/places where jewish people live, I was used to equating Judaism with Israel. So, the part where you said ‘A Jew need not necessarily be a Zionist and homecoming for me wouldn’t mean a trip to Israel but rather a trip to Gibraltar’ really made this video sort of an eyeopener for me, just as I’m sure it would’ve been an eyeopener for so many of my fellow countrymen as well.

[@elyssedavega]

Interesting take! Yes, ultimately I guess Jews stem from one place, but over time I've become so far removed from Israel that I feel no connection. Thanks for your comment!

[@TheMouryan]

Elysse Speaks You’re welcome :) and just to add, I think similarly the non-iranian shias and non-iranian persian speakers everywhere are often associated to Iran even when the individuals may not like/want such a connection. Well, I think this concept of equating people with a Regime holds true for just about every community (both religious and linguistic) that is overwhelmingly represented by one single State/nation in the world. Asking an afghan shia living in Toronto to defend/provide answers for the actions of Iran is just as ludicrous as asking a non-israeli jew living in Melbourne to explain why the Israeli government is doing what it’s doing.

[@naomiooo6062]

@@TheMouryan I agree but I think it’s important to distinguish between the different forms of Israel. The state of Israel or Medinat Israel, Eretz Yisrael etc. A lot of Jews feel connected in some way to Israel, esp spiritually or culturally but not necessarily to the state of Israel.

[@TheMouryan]

@@naomiooo6062 Oh, I see.

[@HB-in1gt]

My family are Sephardi Jews, here in the UK. They arrived through Hull, in 1798. And spoke Ladino, but it was a mixture of Spanish, Hebrew and Arabic.

[@professionaldiary4826]

A lot of Jews came to Morocco after the fall of Granada 1492

[@kevinfowler8712]

Turkey and Angola also received Jews and those Africans still speak Portuguese. The Hebrews that went to Slave ports from The Kingdom of Judah in current day Togo and Benin were black skinned people. I don't know why people still continue with this lie.

[@emanuelyasheav1040]

Just a disclaimer, there are more small sections Myself, I am Juhurio (Mountain Jew) Bnei Menasha, parts of Igbos, and more

[@yakov95000]

Kavkazim are bigger group then Ethiopian

[@l0ne_w0lf56]

I hope that Muslims and jews can learn to live together and make peace, christians too. 🇸🇩

[@meganb0711]

Most Jews dont support Israel dont get it mixed up

[@jlk9055]

@@meganb0711most Jews DO support Israel. Most Muslims in Israel support and fight for their country. As well as many Muslims support Israel around the world. Get your sh*t together

[@forshibeats6726]

محمد ، أنا سعيد لأنك كتبته ، وأعتقد أنه أيضًا

[@forshibeats6726]

@@meganb0711 don't misinformed the world just because you are full of hate doesn't mean others too

[@eliperetz8159]

@@meganb0711 thats absolutely false. Half of jews live in Israel hence theh obviously support the existence of thr country otherwise they wouldnt have made aliyah. On top of this many want to immigrate. Every Ethiopian Jew still in the diaspora wishes to. And the majority of American Jews also support the state of israel. US+Israel make up 90% of world jewry. And in UK israel is so important to jews that the Labour candidate won just 1% of jews after anti-israel comments.

[@paulamatillajimenez9713]

there is a space in the radio in Spain dedicated to sephardic and Ladino language and it´s fully spoken in ladino if I´m not mistaken. Maybe you will find it interesting. If I find a podcast I´ll edit the comment and add a link.

[@elyssedavega]

So awesome, really?? i had no idea. if you find it send it to [e-mail]!

[@VibeWithZari]

Please link it . I would love to listen to it and practice my Ladino.

[@junior230]

I'm an Ashkenazi Jew. My aunt told me that my grandpa - an amazing guy - said we were Jesus Christ's cousins. I want to find out more about my ancestors, culture, and language, and learn more about Judaism; even if I'm a Christian. Thank you, Elysse, for sharing some of your story with us! :)

[@MohsinPerveaz-ji7of]

Lol your aunt lied!

[@junior230]

@@MohsinPerveaz-ji7of I hope she didn't hahaha

[@iainhirons9909]

I grew up as a catholic…my dads side was Irish catholic…..and last year my uncle on my moms side found out they my maternal great great grandparents were Sephardic Jews who moved to East London in the 1870s….Alvarez and Kosta……then they changed their names to Smith…….I’m finding the history very interesting…..I was in marrakech last year and visited the Jewish cemetery…very beautiful…..nearly all the Jews from there have left……and I didn’t understand why it was dated from the early 1500s……now reading about the Spanish Inquisition I understand the time frame…..I shall now listen to your singing…as some people have commentated about your talent…. Thank you

[@stefanoenricosalvadorebesu1445]

Ladino is basically late 15th century Spanish with Hebrew words, plus some loanwornds fron the languages spoken in the countries where the Sephardim lived after 1492. Spanish speakers like me can understand it very well. Today, in Spain, you can find lots of books, music, and cultural events related to the preservation of Sephardic memory. Oh, by the way, there are many "converso" surnames in Latin America (Toledo, Tudela, Moreno, León, etc.)

[@elyssedavega]

I know . And no, there are multiple branches of Ladino. There’s a lot more to it than that

[@stefanoenricosalvadorebesu1445]

@@elyssedavega of course. Ladino spoken in present day Turkey had Turkish words, and it was different from Ladino Spoken in present day Greece (it had Greek words), both were different from that spoken in present day Bulgaria, and so forth and so on. But all are based in late 15th century Spanish with Hebrew words. Something similar happens with all the regional Yiddish variants (and, unlike Ladino for us, all Yiddish variants are very hard to understand for modern German Speakers).

[@janetf3377]

My mom was born in Istanbul, Turkey. She is a Sephardic Jew and she speaks Ladino. My father is a Persian Jew and was born in Tehran.

[@atayavsar]

There was a huge "safarad yahudi" population...

[@EmmettHall-mt7jx]

My family is Sephardic jews and I am so happy to see another family speaking Ladino

[@sirrykr1679]

Now that is an interesting combination. 😊 Do you speak Persian, Turkish or Ladino?

[@janetf3377]

My mother speaks Ladino and Turkish and my father when he was alive spoke Farsi.

[@sirrykr1679]

@@janetf3377 I would love to know/speak both Persian and Turkish fluently. But I have sadly never studied either of those languages.

[@esmeraldajohnson9815]

I just found out in my DNA that I am a Sephardic Jew!! thank you for this video and for sharing the information!! ❤

[@joeyg283]

Thats awesome! What DNA service did you use? I also want to take a DNA test to see if I am also Saphardic.

[@Joshuajsutton11]

Meeettttoooo

[@Joshuajsutton11]

10.5 percent Sephardic North African

[@MelissaJetzt]

These videos are cool! Definitely don’t be bashful about posting them! I love cultural videos

[@elyssedavega]

🤩 thank you Melissa! i’m glad you enjoyed it

[@sjmarga]

8:17 omfg i was so taken aback, the language + her voice is just a stunning duo i could listen to this all day

[@elyssedavega]

omg thank you!! hehehe i had to take a couple cracks at it.

[@JuanCarlos49086]

Wow, you sing really well! And your pronunciation of those verses is great!

[@hiia080]

If you are looking for language exchange with a hebrew speaker I'm here(: you look like a super cool person (: saludos de Israel 😁

[@dragontiger6923]

Ty for singing in Ladino it was easy to follow 🙏🏾 I got so excited. Mi primera idioma mi gente , bienvenidos ✊🏾Sephardic ❤️ 🧬 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@eliezerdecastro2002]

If you want to learn more about the Sefardic Jews look up Rabino E Vinas.

[@princekrazie]

Wow ur singing voice was amazing!

[@OpheliaVert]

What an awesome video! Thank you for using your platform to educate us about this! (Also, not the point, but your voice is so beautiful oh my, more music please)

[@elyssedavega]

yesss i was happy to because of the mentioned lack of content on it :0 and hmmm we’ll see about the singing thing jskdkfm hehe

[@ariannarivera5683]

u never told us YOU HAD A BEAUTIFUL VOICE!! this video was super interesting and informative, thanks so much for the new knowledge and i’m excited to look more into it!

[@elyssedavega]

i dont ever wanna brag on myself but i guess i don’t sound half bad 🥺 thank you mamas!! i’m glad you could learn something too ~ 💜

[@elyssedavega]

you should find some Brazilian content about Sephardim, there’s a lot in Recife!!

[@ariannarivera5683]

@@elyssedavega i fell in LOVE with recife when i visited and learning more and more about the people from there makes it 100x better

[@guntertorfs6486]

You better take being mainly Jewish seriously ( and i don't mean become (more) religious , or fanatical about it ) , because others will judge you for it , even if you don't give them any reason to.

[@EdenBeutler]

UGH I’m so glad I found your channel, you’re so cool 😩 my background is american but I used to live in Germany and speak German. I’ve been slowly learning Spanish these past few years (but as of recently with the quarantine I studied intensively for a few months) which is how I found your channel this year. As of today, after reading the title of this video, my jaw dropped because I’ve been interested in Judaism for years and have been going to a reform synagogue for some time 😂😂 It’s cool to find someone out there who I can relate to so much/ who talks about and knows the things I’m so passionate about/interested in😂

[@elyssedavega]

I’m glad i could be relevant/helpful in multiple ways!! that’s awesome, i hope to start going to synagogue too soon.

[@ha.alamin]

I know it's been said, but your singing was amazing. Not that we expected your singing to be bad, but that was a shock.

[@eliperetz8159]

I am also half Sephardi (and half Mizrachi on my mother’s side) but I wouldn’t say I’m from Iran or Morocco which is where my grandparents and great grandparents were born. I wouldn’t say I’m from Spain on my father’s side either. We are from Judea (hence we are called Jews) and despite the fact that we were kicked out by the Romans and our land colonised were are still indigenous to that land just like Native Americans are still native/indigenous to their lands. And as far as I’m concerned we (Jews) and our Palestinian cousins should live together as equals and form our own civilisation, not split the land and live as divorced nations for the West to control and weaken. However that being said just because Arab colonisers violently conquered the land and moved in doesn’t mean we suddenly lose our connection or native link to Israel. That’s why I consider Israel my nation because being Jewish and Israeli have been synonymous throughout history before even the state of Israel and Zionism. That’s why Hebrew is my language. Because although my father’s parents knew some Judeo-Spanish and as beautiful of a language as it may be, like Yiddish which many of my friends speak fluently, it is a language of exile, it’s a sign that we lost our culture and our connection to Jerusalem and Israel and it is a sign that our culture and even language was colonised by the very people who oppressed us whether that be the Spanish who signed the Alhambra decree and carried out the inquisition or the Germans who persecuted us for hundreds of years. To be clear not making a religious argument, our indigenous status is history based not as some divine promise. That’s why I believe we were exiled to Babylon, Ethiopia, Spain and Germany, but we didn’t originate there. That being said it’s amazing to see you connect to your Jewish roots.

[@Esteban_46]

Wow you couldn’t have said it any better! I’m also trying to learn and connect to my Jewish roots, hence why I’m learning Hebrew.

[@oremfrien]

"we (Jews) and our Palestinian cousins should live together as equals" -- Then how would the country of Israel fulfill its mission to protect Jews around the world, serve as a place of refuge for Jews fleeing persecution, promote the development of modern Jewish culture, or prevent the imposition of barbaric 7th century laws which a number of Palestinian groups (and Haredi Jews) seek to implement?

[@jamesbond8348]

No Jews were exiled to Germany ever.

[@eliperetz8159]

@@oremfrien there were non-Jews living in Judea and the Kingdom of Israel before we were expelled. Many palestinians have Jewish heritage, hence they are one of the closest populations to us genetically. And as for the Haredi and Extremists, we have to bring the peaceful cooperative majorities together. If we allow the fringes to divide us indeed we will never have peace.

[@oremfrien]

@@eliperetz8159 You haven't actually answered the question that I posed. I don't argue that Palestinians lack Levantine heritage; they certainly have that. But simply having some of the same ancestry does not mean that the two groups (Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs) have the same political beliefs at a core level. If two groups of people live in two very different realities with two very different aspirations, the country is truly ungovernable. And so my question is that since majorities of Palestinians reject Israeli Jewish Cultural Values, how can the two peoples live together in one state? (Just for clarity, some Israeli Jewish Cultural Values include: the Jewish Right of Return, the Jewish cultural symbols of Israel, the values of the Jewish Enlightenment that guide Israeli Secular Laws, and Israel's mission to protect/advocate for World Jewry.)

[@mlev1111]

Hi Elysse, I'm a Sephardi Jew as well. My Safta and father and all his brothers speak Ladino, I wish I did!!

[@Natalie-nf9vl]

I'm in the same kind of situation of being a non practicing jewish family whos learning much more right now, its very comforting to know someone else is in a similar place! I just celebrated hanukkah :D (I'm Ashkenazi though) anyway, thank you so much for the video!

[@elyssedavega]

awesome! may you enjoy and celebrate in whatever way you feel comfortable.

[@hroman5]

You're a lovely, well-spoken young lady. May many ברכה come to you!

[@fruityking777]

finally another sephardic jew 😩 i’m deeply interested in my history but he most i know is that the ancestors on my moms side immigrated here from spain and greece, and then my grandfather married my grandma (who was christian but she actually converted) and then my mom married my dad (who’s a very not religious catholic but he’s also like 80% irish LOL) so by me and my sister the culture part was very detached. i try to enrich myself in the culture by looking into ladino and cultural dishes. i even found my great grandmother’s cookbook and there were still bits of spinach leaves on the inside for spanakopitas 😭 we still do basic practices like passover and hanukkah but i would love to dive further down that rabbit role. my grandfather’s first language was actually spanish and he grew up in spanish harlem but he joined the military in the 60s and just slowly forgot most of it, so i took it upon myself to learn it again. very nice video :)

[@elyssedavega]

Oh wow!! What a nice story, especially about the spanakopita leaves

[@DanielAlvarez-o4u]

My family lineage is from granada Spain 🇪🇸 my great great grandfather spoke Ladino. Somehow we winded up in Puerto Rico during the Spanish inquisition. Thank You for explaining what many people do not no

[@saranwy]

Could you do a video where you sing songs in different languages? You have such a beautiful voice! And Ladino is so beautiful too, never heard of it and am reading about it now, so thank you 🙏🏼

[@BlitzOfTheReich]

It's interesting that there were even still Sephardic Jews in Spain in the 1800s. My family left Iberia in the early 16th century to Turkey. Then they emmigrated to the Caribbean in the 1920s (right after the Turkish war of independence).

[@joaofelipegueiros3743]

Wow. That's so interesting and funny at the same time! My story is basically the same as yours, I'm from Recife (city in Brazil), and a descendant of sephardic Jews (eventhough my family, just like yours, practices christianity). Last year I stayed a month in Israel for a science summer camp, doing research and travelling around the country, and I felt I could reconnect with the culture of my ancestors. I am moving to Israel next year to study engineering in Haifa. Good luck with your journey!!! Você é foda. #BneiAnussim

[@elyssedavega]

Awww this makes my heart warm 🥺 it’s not our fault we lost it along the way, it’s our right to reconnect with it to whatever extent is comfortable. Thank you for your comment!

[@tFighterPilot]

I assume you didn't feel connected the second time as well (if you already came) because this isn't your culture. Having a trace of Jewish ancestry doesn't mean you'd feel connected to Jewish culture.

[@lru1116]

How does it work? Your ancestors were Jews who were forced to convert to Catholicism and only married other ethnic Jews who converted to Catholicism continuously for hundreds of years and you have records to prove it, and your family continuously practiced Judaism in secret?

[@dashdv5]

Same over here, I grew up knowing my great grandparents through my mom side were Sephardic, but we all grew up pentecostal Christians as well and this would confuse me all the time. Now that I’m older I have started to cherish my Sephardic side even more.

[@elyssedavega]

it comes with age i guess 🥰🥰

[@elyssedavega]

our identity never expires!

[@bohemianirene1256]

I am so glad you did this video, thank you for your openness, sharing your story of discovery of your heritage, political views. For someone so young, I am encouraged by your corage to stand by your convictions.

[@elyssedavega]

I appreciate this so much!!!

[@AntilleanConfederation]

I’m a Sephardic Jew from canary island decent. And I also have ashkenazi ancestry

[@alexdima721]

I just found out that my "Italian heritage" was actually Sephardis in Italy 😁

[@ironic_normalcy5409]

Same here!

[@cardinalflower6959]

What a beautiful singing voice! I loved that little snippet of Ladino song!

[@caduninos]

Much more than i expected. i loved the video!

[@elyssedavega]

‘much more’ in a good way i hope 🤣 thank you for watching it!!

[@MrSoldierperson]

I am a Sephardic Jew too. Very much removed. My Spanish ancestors settled in Mexico. We have been Roman Catholic for a long time. My mom is wealthy; That's about as Jewish as we are.

[@tianalevi]

Actually most ashkenazi jews were Sephardi. Most ashkenazim had jewish ancestors who lived in Spain and then when Spain kicked out the jews some jews went to North Africa and the Mediterranean/Balkan region and were still considered Sephardi and some moved to east Europe and that’s how the ashkenazi group was created, they actually descend from Sephardis.

[@shlogoff]

Actually the Ashkenazi community is very old, dating back to the Roman empire. But many sephardim did emigrate to Central and Eastern Europe where they became part of the communities there.

[@lucia243]

I was born in Córdoba (Sefarad) but educated in the Catholic religion. I am trying to learn more about Sefardíes and Aladino and there’s no much information here. I can find more in videos of sefardíes as you. Thanks a lot

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

Why does it disgust you that Gibraltar belongs to the United Kingdom? Have you spoken to Gibraltarian Jews about this? I think you'll find that they are very proud to be British and indeed, I think it's fair to say that had the British not protected the Jews of Gibraltar from the 18th century onwards, Spain would have, at best enslaved the Jews of Gibraltar, and probably ended up doing a lot worse. They have a lot to be thankful to the British. On the subject of your Jewishness. It's wonderful that you are reconnecting with your family heritage but being that, as you mentioned, your parents were/are practicing Chrstians your Jewish status within Orthodox Jewish law, is in serious doubt. It is not simply a club where you can choose to belong to or not! As you probably know, Jewishness goes through the mother's line so if you wanted to claim Jewishness, you would have to sit with a Sefardi Orthodox Rabbi and discuss your family details. Your family's Chrstian Conversion could very well have cancelled your Jewish status under Jewish Law, no matter how proud you say you feel Jewish. If it turns out that, due to your family converting, you are not actually Jewish and would not be considered Jewish within the Jewish community (be they Sfardi, Ashkenazi or any other Jewish traditional line), then you can always convert and being that you are very proud of your Jewish heritage, I cannot see you having much difficulties. If you are thinking of marrying a Jewish boy and bringing up a Jewish family, then this is something best to think seriously about now. Good luck on your journey.

[@jaysoriano1842]

my surname is soriano from philipines, when we were conquered, there were Spaniards who, when they married here, had a soriano,that's why we jews have a race

[@mmelusinne]

Thanks for this video! You reminded me a class I took a couple of years ago, Spanish Renaissance and Neoclassical Literature, in which the professor explained all this to us. He was really into it, very interested. My classmates used to tell jokes about it, because he spent a few classes just on that topic. Anyway, now I'm proud of knowing that and I'm starting my research right now. Felices fiestas ✨

[@elyssedavega]

aww that’s so cute 😭 there’s nothing better than a professor that really prides themselves in their work!! glad you enjoyed the vid ~

[@RivkaSarah5741]

I'm from Puerto Rico but I did a DNA test and I am shephardic and Ashkenazi descent. But I am mostly of Iberic heritage (Spain/Portugal). But I very conected with my Jewish side. Thanks for this video.

[@idunmitrani2618]

8:16 Wow. You really sing beautiful. Nice voice, intonation and harmony. HKBH has blessed you with an enviable and amazing gift. If you take it seriously, you could be a tremendous hit. Many of the artists out there are lousy singers. Many jewish women (sephardim) have their own Sephardic Romances repertory and groups. Why don't you give yourself an opportunity or chance? 💕

[@lytelay467]

Sephardic Jew is a pure Jew or not?

[@idunmitrani2618]

@@lytelay467 Your question is very interesting. I will try to answer according to MBA Nadia Cattan who is an authority on the matter. She is also youtuber.

[@eliezerdecastro2002]

@@lytelay467 please what do you mean by "pure Jew" ?

[@happyd1479]

Im also Sephardic on both sides of the family never really paid any attention until i became a mother and wanted to be close to my roots

[@ROOMSEVENSTUDIO]

This is so awesome I connect with your video so so so much. I feel so disconnected from my Jewish identity and feel a calling to reconnect and explore. I am ashkenazi and my ancestors came to NY in the 1900s. but I also have some ancestry from Portugal. I speak Spanish and I have a book on Ladino, even though I am not Sephardic I want to learn Ladino because of the mix of Hebrew and Spanish is so beautiful.

[@markkuuss]

5:30 Judaism and Islam are considered orthopraxies, which mean they emphasize on both correct belief, and ritualism.

[@wulantsabita9843]

Wow what an interesting video! I was so enlightened when you mentioned something about Judaism being easier to identify with because of its practices. I guess I've been taking that aspect of my religion for granted.

[@elyssedavega]

yes! the practices are such an accessible way to connect, even if you’ve never had an intense spiritual connection with your religion 🤔 glad i got you thinking

[@glassobriscey8070]

Whats crazy is that this is extremely similar to my path. Everyone thinks that because I'm white with blue eyes, little to they know that us Sephardim were really great at hiding in Portugal and the UK

[@elyssedavega]

Yeah, my family lost it somewhere along the way and mixing since then has left me with less typically "Jewish" features.

[@bambam971-y6k]

I loved this! I found out through DNA test last year that my moms mothers family were Sephardic Jews that went to Southern Italy and Sicily when they were expelled from Spain. I started to research and read all the books on Sephardic Jewish History and Culture, books on Judaism and Jewish Philosophy, I read the Torah and I felt a real connection. I'm still a rookie with all of this too, I lit the Menorah for the first time this Channukah like you did. I was raised Catholic, but had not been practicing any Organized Religion for 15 years, I believe in God and prayed. I started taking zoom Torah Classes a few months ago and also a Jewish Holiday and Celebration class, all the students are B'nai Anusim with Sephardic Roots. Judaism isnt just a Religion it's a Philosophy, Tradition, Ritual and unlike Christianity, questions and dialogue are welcomed and your not just taught you have to believe everything and not allowed to question why things are done. I am trying to bridge a Christian/Non Religious life with Sephardic Jewish Traditions and Prayer without Conversion and going to Temple(there isnt one in my City only Ashkenazi), plus keeping Kosher and giving up pork and all the other Dietary Restrictions are pretty stringent, so I'm just trying to honor the best I can my Ancestors forced to Convert and hide their Religion or be burned alive if caught practicing it. I look forward to more of your videos, because it's hard enough learning Jewish Culture if you didnt grow up with it and even harder Sephardic Jewish Culture, because there are not as many and hard to find alot on.

[@CynicalDuchess]

this was such a beautiful comment

[@davidshirhin2165]

Then you are jew

[@kyoumalee2675]

@@davidshirhin2165 he doesn’t practice Judaism how he a Jew??

[@CP-ll6qg]

@@kyoumalee2675 most people agree that it's both a religion AND a cultural/ethnic group, so you can be Jewish (by ancestry and/or) culture without practicing Judaism religiously.

[@lru1116]

So a percentage of the results of a recreational ancestral DNA test suggested some Jewish ancestry and now your fetishizing and appropriating the religion and culture?

[@thisjustin5043]

Yay thanks for sharing info about us Sephardim! I’m learning and connecting with this lost part of my heritage, too. Through genealogy records and DNA tests I’ve found some cool information about my ancestors. PS your voice is lovely!

[@MyItalianCircle]

I learned about Sephardic Jews from the novels of Abraham Yehoshua (great books by the way). Fascinating topic. Thank you for sharing!

[@elyssedavega]

I just ordered Mr. Mani because of this comment! Let's see where it takes me.

[@MyItalianCircle]

@@elyssedavega Wonderful! I read it when I was in college - quite some time ago! 😱

[@313pookie313]

As far as I know, my entire heritage is Italian. When I did a DNA test it came back that I was 87% Eastern European and 13% Sephardic Jew. My family was shocked into disbelief, but I want to know more about my possible people, the Sephardic Jew.

[@tvtalkwithavi]

This is so beautiful, and so well explained!! My mom's family is Sefaradi from my Grandmother is half Turkish and Half Moroccan. I speak Ladino, Hebrew, portuguese, Castellano, and english =} if you have a link to any groups for Sefaradim, please feel free to Pm them to me lol I'm sorrounded by Ashkenazim majority of the time, kind of want to connect with other Sefaradim =}

[@Solek95]

Brazil was colonized by Sephardim (forced) to an estimated 40/60 million descendants.

[@naomiooo6062]

@@Solek95 the majority of Sephardim alive today are not the descendants of the colonizers

[@gabrielriera9369]

I know what you mean. I virtually attend an Ashkenazi synagogue, because there are no synagogues in my city, and I couldn't find a good Sephardic synagogue online. Sometimes I feel like I really NEED to listen to some Ladino music and reconnect. There's so much Yiddish culture around, which is fine, but we all need some Sephardic too.

[@DJArmando77]

My great grandma was a Vega on my moms side, her mom was from Monterey Mex. My dads side was Spanish Jews that founded the city. We come from the great rabbinic famiies of Spain, before that coming from Iraq between the 8th and 12 centerys. Were STILL her cuz!

[@emejay4631]

I feel like I just got a deeper understanding of how the Spanish language just runs through your blood everything connects that is super cool!

[@elyssedavega]

in a way yes 😁 that is super cool!!

[@marcrivas5796]

@@elyssedavega Here are a few channels and videos that'll help you learn more about Judaism, the sephardic way: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnmthqOpf82WarM kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIXEkKuZoLx9m8k kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZa1Z4qojKqgaKs kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIauoZV4gZl0fpo

[@garlicsalt409]

I am part Ashkenazi and Sephardim and also trying to reconnect with the Sephardim part of myself. My Sephardim family is from Mexico I assume they went there to escape persecution from Spain or Portugal but I unfortunately do not know where in Portugal/Spain they came from :/ Also YOU SLAYED SINGING KUANDO EL REY NIMROD THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL!!!!

[@loganhamilton4246]

That's so interesting and cool! I am a Christian and I've recently been interested in learning Biblical Hebrew to be able to read the Torah. I also thought that Ladino was beautiful and it never even occured to me that a Judeo-Spanish language exists, so cool! So thank you for shining a light on this honestly confusing topic (maybe it's just my non-jewish self) 😁

[@txjellybean3772]

Shalom! I to have been called to all things Messianic. Any special things that's helped you?

[@seekeroftruth45]

Biblical Hebrew is extinct. You're learning a dialect.

[@robertoa.m.3984]

Elysse: I've been reading the comments: so many of them rave about your voice!(rightly so).....you should consider making a video of sefardí songs. It would be marvelous 🙂! All the best......and you have another fan.

[@filipaalmeida1982]

Loved hearing you sing!

[@kristinnagy1005]

this is so interesting elysse! wishing you the best of luck on your personal journey to get back in touch with a different part of your identity! also that ladino singing was GORGEOUS.

[@asdof1a]

Thank you for this video. I recently discovered that my father's family comes from Sephardic Jew roots from Portugal (maybe Spain). Unfortunately, a little after my dad shared his history with my mum and me, he passed away. So I am slowly starting to find more about it. Cheers!

[@MoniikaPlays]

i'm a sephardic jew born in seville spain, i'm excited to learn ladino and your video is so interesting, thank you for give us your opinion, cheers!!

[@anonamos225]

For various reasons I'm unable to relate to heritage and history and family and religion the way you do but I'm here for it. The singing was absolutely beautiful. This video also made me laugh a few times. If you ever upload a short singing video that's definitely gonna be on repeat.

[@elyssedavega]

whatever you get out of my videos, i’m glad you’re here :p

[@mariferavery7646]

hi. I just found out that I'm a Sephardic Jew. thanks for making this video. I'm very interested in finding more about our heritage. please share more.

[@elyssedavega]

new video coming in a week or two!

[@saphyr84]

As a Muslim this was super insightful and interesting to watch. Connecting with your little known roots is always a beautiful thing. That song kinda gave me goosebumps it had a haunting quality..loved it.

[@neolibrarian]

this is EXACTLY what I'm going through. Chilean naturalized sephardic family- but we showed up right after sepharad were kicked out of Spain. Family records conveniently got rid of the jews of our family... I was raised Catholic and I NEVER felt anything with it. Like I felt absolutely no connection. Judaism and Jewish cultures always called to me and I didn't know why. I only really knew of Ashkenazi judaism though, I thought that was the "standard". I had NO idea Sephardic judaism was a thing. Then I started looking deeply into the trees and guess what- our family was always Sephardic! My aunt married jewish so I've always been in touch with the religion but this year I've really felt it call me. I'm devastated we were washed this way...but we're moving in the right direction. Going to learn Ladino with my mother and hopefully we'll find our roots again ❤Your voice is so so beautiful!

[@jacobgooze1144]

It just may be that you have begun a journey deeper and broader than you can imagine, Welcome home, we missed you.

[@elyssedavega]

So sweet, i appreciate this so much.

[@juliasierra8805]

I am Spanish and I feel so good that my country welcomed back the sephardic jews. I have Sephardic ancestors that probably they were conversos , but inside their homes they practised their face and traditions. My grandmother and may member of our family they had so many traditions, and cooking recipes, words from ladino vocabulary etc. that are similar to the traditions of sephardic judaism. I hope you will always feel proud of being a sephardic jew.

[@pemsalvan2464]

This is not to flatter but the singing voice was divine.

[@remolachaenferma2056]

I have so much respect for the amount of work you've done to research your Jewish ancestry. I'm pretty much ashkenazi (I've got ancestry from Russia, Poland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania) but potentially with some sephardic ancestry as well, my family isn't sure. It's interesting though since in hebrew school we never discuss ethnicity as much as denominations. I'm reform so conservative and orthodox and Hassidic jews talk shit about us, meanwhile, we talk shit about the reconstructionists lol (not really though haha, we're respectful to each other). I'm really impressed at how thorough you were in explaining everything and I was thrilled to see you discuss Ladino since I think it's such an interesting language. and btw your singing was absolutely beautiful. Amazing vid as always!

[@elyssedavega]

thank you! and yeah, i feel like there’s a lot of constant debate in the Jewish community and it can be so tiring. everyone should practice & live how they want to.

[@chrismelbihess]

That's really cool I just found out that my family came here from huelva Spain in the 1700s to settle in Santa Fe New Mexico it's a really rich history I wish I had been raised in knowing more this year we celebrated Hanukkah for the first time as a family and it was one of the most spiritual experiences in my life so grateful for Science and DNA and computers that can track all this stuff down cuz I've always known it in my heart something you know my grandmother and my grandfather's always prayed weird not like other Catholics

[@claraviana7200]

coming back to this video after I learned that I have sephardic ancestry, my mom's dad has both sephardic last names and they came from portugal to brazil, but my whole family is catholic now and it has been really hard finding records on these stuff

[@1jediwitch]

Ty for this video. Both of my great grandmother's on my mother's side of the family were of Jewish heritage, my grandfather's mother was Ashkenazi from Bavaria, & my grandmother's mother was Sephardic Jewish from Mexico City via her father who came from Northeastern Spain.