Contents

Our Aliyah First Fruits!
Dr. Dell F. Sanchez

D Sanchez


Publications

Aliyah Continues

You can find more excellent books and DVDs on the story of Sephardim on our webpage! 

 More Products
Upcoming Events


Negev Office Grand Opening
October
Links

Sephardic Anusim Center of the Americas
Midreshet Sde Boker
Jewish Agency
Jewish National Fund
Ramat Ha-Negev Regional Council
4Sephardim DNA Project
Sephardic Anusim Center of the Americas Archives

Sephardic Anusim Center of the Americas
June 2008

"The exiles from Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the towns of the Negev." (Obadiah 20)

Our Aliyah First Fruits!
Vasquez3 --Our First American Sephardic Anusim Family Approved as Israeli Citizens!!!

In my January newsletter I featured an article printed by the Journal of the Jewish Review in Oregon about the Vasquez family preparing to make aliyah. The fact is that this article was a bit anticipatory. In other words, the Israeli government had not yet approved them as citizens despite all the positive communications the Vasquez' had enjoyed up to that point. But now we have the FINAL DECISION.

Let me begin by saying how excited we are about this major triumph. I must say that this is an historic moment for Sephardim of the West known as Anusim (and other terms such as crypto-Jews or Jews that have been in hiding since their forefathers were expelled from Spain in 1492). The final decision for the Vasquez' aliyah was made by the Israeli Ministry of Interior.

Helen and I have waited 12 long years to ascend to this point where American Anusim with a Hispanic/Latino background might be received as "FULL JEWS AND FULL ISRAELI CITIZENS." Mark, Jodene and their two sons are our first fruits.

This is a miracle because our people have been in dispersion after Spain's Inquisition (holocaust) for over 500 years! This decision is significant because it comes at the eve of the Feast of Pentecost known in Hebrew as Shavuot. This feast is also known by the blessing of the first fruits of the harvest; and the Vasquez family is exactly that: the first fruits of Sephardic Anusim of the USA to make aliyah and become full fledge citizen of our forefathers' homeland.

Vasquez Boys Mark and Jodene have a teenage son, Jonathon and a preteen, Milo. Jonathan looks forward to serving in the Israeli Defense Forces after the entire family spends six to seven months in a Hebrew school called an ulpan. They plan to do their ulpan in the Negev where they'll sow their lives and collaborate with us in fulfilling Obadiah's vision that says, ". . .the exiles of Jerusalem that are (were) in Sepharad (Spain) shall possess the Negev." They also look forward to helping make the desert blossom and "create" streams in the desert.

Mark's Hebrew name is Moshe (Moses). His very name represents the manner in which he will be the forerunner that will lead a host of other Sephardic Anusim out of their exile and back to the promised land of their inheritance. It's also significant that Mark is a builder and a building inspector for the City of Portland, Oregon. His wife Jodene is an experienced businessperson that has stood and administered construction by her husband's side.

The timing of their aliyah is perfect because we'll be sending the exhibit of the history of Sephardic Anusim to its new home in the Negev. What's even greater is that their building expertise will be extremely instrumental as we begin to build the first Anusim community in the heart of the Negev.

Personally, I see Mark (Moshe) as Nehemiah of old. God took Nehemiah out of the Persian palace as cupbearer to the king to promote him in order to rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem. All indications point to the fact that God loves and also trusts this young family so much that He would elevate them to be beacons of light to a multitude of our Anusim people that are all across the Americas and around the world.

Let's rally together and raise the very best love offering for the Vasquez' incredible transition from the U.S. to Israel's Negev. I cannot overstate the fact that it's going to take a lot of money to transplant the Vasquez' in to their land of their forefathers.
Anusim Exhibit Meantime, we'd like to also raise another love offering to have the exhibit of the history of our Sephardic Anusim also make aliyah by taking it from the USA to its new home in the Negev. Thus, I'd like to propose a 50-50 arrangement. Let's dedicate 50% of your offering to the Vasquez aliyah and the other 50% to the aliyah of our exhibit where the Vasquez will help oversee it once its there. If you wish to make your donation to be different in terms of the percentage, please let me know.

The Vasquez will be in Israel by September and the exhibit will be there by October to be ready for Sukkoth or the Feast of Tabernacles. What a grand opening we'll celebrate: the aliyah of the Vasquez and also our exhibit as well as the grand opening of our new offices in the heart of the Negev! Thus, we're marching forward from Shavuot (Pentecost) to Succoth (Tabernacles).

Please let me know how much you can send us for this noble purpose. So go to our website and inform me as soon as you possibly can. After all, we only have three months before we say goodbye and hasta la vista to our wonderful Anusim friends. Our website is: www.4sephardim.com. Otherwise, you can send your donation, post-haste, to P.O. Box 75, Helotes, Texas 78023.

Thank you so much, in advance, for your prayers, your concern and your gifts of love! Que Dios les bendiga ricamente - may God bless you richly!
Best blessings to you and yours,

Dell and Helen

PS, if your congregation, group or business would like to make a significant contribution feel free to call me at 210.326.6570. But please remember that "our times are in the hands of the Lord" and HE is moving very swiftly these days!
You can read our past newsletters by going to our Archives Homepage.
Contact Information
Dr.Dell F. Sanchez 210.326.6570
 
Email Marketing by