Were the earliest settlers of New Mexico really Jewish exiles
forced to become Catholics by the Spanish Inquisition? Do their modern-day descendants
really continue to pass down Jewish rituals in secret after 400 years? In 1492,
the Spanish Inquisition forced more than 200,000 Jews to chose between expulsion
or forced conversion to Catholicism. Many became crypto-Jews, insincere converts,
appearing to be devout Catholics but secretly maintaining Jewish rituals in
their homes and passing down their true faith to their children. Today’s
hidden Jews of New Mexico have carried this legacy for centuries.
The three documentaries on "The Hidden Jews of New Mexico"
share the moving personal experiences of present-day descendants of the original
settlers of New Mexico as they discover their true past, find a renewed sense
of history, search for their ancestors, and develop a special pride in their
unique religious and cultural identity.
"Search for the Buried Past: The Hidden Jews of New
Mexico" [1988] Introduces the extraordinary story of a secret Jewish
heritage shared by many New Mexicans brought up in families that still carefully
hide their true identity.
"The Hidden Jews of New Mexico: Rekindling a Spirit"
[1992] On the eve of the Columbus Quincentennary and the anniversary of the
Expulsion of the Jews from Spain, descendants of New Mexican crypto-Jews research
their unique religious past and begin to rebuild a new community identity.
"The Hidden Jews of New Mexico: Return to Iberia"
[1995] Follows New Mexicans Ramon Salas and Gloria Trujillo to Spain and Portugal,
where they search for their secret past and have an emotional meeting with a
community of hidden Jews much like themselves.
PROGRAM PERSONNEL
Benjamin Shapiro, Producer—has been an award-winning
independent radio producer since 1986. He is a frequent contributor to national
radio programs, and his credits include Max Roach: A Life in Sound; the four-part
Latin Music Makers, which won the 1994 Silver Reel Award from the National Federation
of Community Broadcasters.
Nan Rubin, Project Coordinator—has been providing
management, marketing and distribution expertise and assistance to public radio
stations and independent producers for more than 15 years.
Dr. Stanley Hordes, Consulting Historian—was State
Historian of New Mexico from 1981-85. An internationally-known scholar of 16th-17th
Century Spanish/Jewish history, he is considered the foremost authority on the
crypto-Jews of New Mexico and continues research in this topic.
FUNDING
Major funding for "The Hidden Jews of New Mexico: Return to Iberia"
came from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional support for the
series provided by the Nathan Cummings Foundation., The New Mexico Council for
the Humanities, The Shefa Fund, National Public Radio, American Home Furnishings,
and Electrovoice, a Mark IV Company.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Contact Nan Rubin, Project Coordinator.
122 W. 27th St 10th Fl, New York, NY 10001
Hidden Jews of New Mexico, Community Media Services, Community Activities
Paper Cut Designs, Links, Home