the truth is they are descendants of expelled Portugese and Spanish Jews and fought hard to keep their traditions as a despised minority even if in secrecy. And they have succeeded. Israel's existence potentially allows for them a place where they don;'t have to be embarassed to demonstrate their belonging to Bnai Yisrael and the modern day "Jewish" (more than just tribe of Judah in reality) people. It's something you as either a Christian or Muslim can take for granted in the over 50 officially Muslim and 50 Christian countries in the world. Saddiqi George, this is madha yorid-an Al-Lah (what God Almighty wants) His Will is to gather the Jews back together again and have the lost ones rediscover their roots. I don;t want to exagerate but your concept of a small diminishing Jewish nation may one day be demolished as a people in the scores even hundreds of millions. You just aren't comfortable withmore Jews reawakening to their identity- and the Ethiopian Jews you vindictively deride were ALWAYS part of our Bnai Yisrael. And these rediscovered JewsWILL be returned to Israel and you WILL have to learn to live with your Southern neighbors' reality or else the result will be suffering on your part.

Jezebel from Argentina dont have an infarto (heart attack) Iguaçu/Iguazú is Brazilian and Argentinian share ok, this is not a futbol competition.

I just don't understand our Rabbis! During a time when the number of Jews in the world is dwindling, and masses of Jews are assimilating, how could they reject the Jewishness of people who practicied in secret for over 500 years! If these people now want to open Judaism in the open, how could we reject them? What makes other Jews better than them? On the contrary, we need to give them extra special recognition for maintaing their heritage and wanting to be accepted back into the fold! If every Jew who did not have 'proof' that he/she was Jewsish was not considered a Jew, there would be no Jews left in the world. It is better to grant 'Jewishness' to a few people born of mixed marrige than to reject many Jews all together. G-b bless these Jews!

Dear Kate, of all what I wrote, u only managed to sniff out the last comment in my talkback, as alot of people do when there is a remote connection to anything anti-Jewish. Most ideological organizations - be it Zionist, Capitalist, Communist- are stingy to a certain extent and i have every right to state it. So, for next time, instead of boo hooing about people being anti-semitic (how can i be antisemitic, when i myself am a semite?!?!) try to focus on the REAL subject next time honey!

David, I strongly agree with you. My wife's mom is a daughter of a german jew, but not her mother. My wife is converted from a Conservative Sinagogue and I see no problem with it.

This is a great Joy of our ancestors the Crypto-Jews have started to emerge. How wonderful this is to me a Jew who understans their struggle to be heard. Don't depend on arrogant Rabbies who no nothing of our singular G-D but ask the G-D of Abraham Issac Jacob to lead the way for the Rabbies speak for themselves.

I know the reality here in brasil, both of the limitted possibilities of our jewish comunities and of the great challenge these jewish rooted people must be facing in this catholic AND stupid country of mine were "jew" is still a current way to curse someone. All the mistakes pointed in the article are true mistakes and the photograf is from the argentinian side of the iguaçu watterfalls (the best tour in my country).

If I'm not mistaken, some of these Brazilian "conversos" were among the early settlers of New Amsterdam, on Manhattan Island. While they prospered there, they weren't exactly beloved by Perter Steyvescent, the Dutch ruler in the colony at that time. Nevertheless, welcome back. Larry Schmeidler

This website was created to serve as an online community for Jews all over the world, of every degree of observance, and of every sect and movement. It was created in order to combat the growing loss of Jewish identity, and to form a feeling of Jewish unity between Jews from all over the world – especially between Israeli and Diaspora Jews. We hope that with time, as we form a larger community, we will be able to become politically active by doing things like initiating petitions and donating to charities as a unified community of Jews from all over the world. http://www.globaljewishcommunity.com

A very good question, my Phonecian/Arab friend! I am afraid, however, that I must 'burst your bubble.' Firstly, being a Semite does not prevent you from hating Semites. Take, for example, Bobby Fischer, a Jewish man who won the World Chess Championship in 1972. He said: "I say death to President Bush, I say death to the United States. F*ck the United States, f*ck the Jews, the Jews are a criminal people, they mutilate their own children, they're a murderous, criminal, thieving, lying, bastards. They made up the Holocaust, there's not a word of truth to it. They are the worst liars and bastards. And now, what goes around, comes around, they're getting it back, finally. Praise God... Hallelujah, this is a wonderful day. F*ck the United States. Cry, you crybabies. Whine, you bastards. Now your time is coming." — Speaking on Bombo Radyo, September 11, 2001 "The United States is a farce controlled by dirty, hook-nosed circumcised Jew bastards." "They are subhuman. They are the scum of the Earth. When you talk about Jews, you're scraping the bottom of the barrel of humanity." — Speaking on Bombo Radyo, Philippines Now, I do not support any of these quotes. In fact, I find them all rather disgusting. I hope that ynet will allow me to publish them - they are historical quotations not taken out of context, and they do not represent my views, so I should hope that my comment will be allowed. IN any case, the idea that a Semite cannot hate other Semites is simply ridiculous. ____________________________ Now, onto the more pressing issue of the term 'Anti-Semitic' If tomorrow the entire english speaking world began to use the word 'dog' when referring to the animal we know as a cat, that is the meaning that the word 'dog' would take. Languages evolve and change with time, it is common knowledge, and not at all difficult to understand. In the same way, as the entire world now uses the term anti-Semitism to refer to hatred of Jews, that is the meaning that the word has taken. JEWS UNITE http://www.globaljewishcommunity.com

Noam, all of what u said makes sense and is correct, and no one (including myself) disagrees. We have fully accepted the existence of our neighbors to the south (well maybe not the gov't, but what govt is not corrupt?) I am the first to support the "Jewishness' of these Bnei Yisroel whether they are Ethiopian or Brazilian, but look at the Rabbinate and the Israeli Ashkenaz society....are THEY really accepting them? Im just trying to paint out the reality and bigotry of the Rabbinate and the Ashkenaz dominated society in Israel, so i should be the LAST one to be attacked for being anti-semitic....As i have mentioned before, HOW CAN I BE ANTI-SEMITIC, WHEN I AM A SEMITE??????

I'm sorry to disapoint you but first, the money Israel government offers nowadays is small even for the underdeveloped Brazilian standards. And please tell me, how can somebody "benefit" from the jewish financial status? What the hell are you talking about? Sounds it came directly from a anti-semitic book... another jew repeating anti-semitic rethoric. Pathetic. Before you talk about "financial status" I suggest you to go learn about the UNIBES work, a jewish association strongly dedicated in support poor jews in Brazil. You may believe it or not but they exist and without UNIBES work, several of them would be already assimilated. Not everybody can be a member of the local jewish club... It's depressive to see this "myth" of the jewish wealthy to be spread among jews.

Dan, thank you for understanding us (anussim). Just a correction: we don´t want to "become", we already "are Jewish". Leonor Medeiros

When Portugal reconquered Recife, some jews fled to North America and helped to create what would be latter know as Jew York. :-) In order to fully understand this issue you need to study the portuguese inquisition years and realize that several of the "dutch" jews were in fact portuguese jews that went to amsterdam in order to escape from the inquisition. Despite the tragedy, this is in my opinion one of the most interesting periods of the jewish history. Some authors per example say that the the first ships to reach Brazil had a very strange crew combination, including hebrew translators. This is also one of the times in history when jews and arabs lived in reasonable harmony. :-)

George, Israel and Lebanon are not perfect societies but when we use generalizations we tend to commit too many mistakes. Are ethiopian jews fully integrated in the Israeli society? No. But even north american jews have problems integrating themselves into Israel. Try to move from Beirut to Istanbul and you will see how hard it is to get used to it. Please notice that in my opinion Istanbul is a very nice city. However, returning to the subject, ethiopian jews are accepted by several "ashkenaz" backgrounded orthodox movements, and you can even see posters in the streets calling for ethiopian jews to join them. That's why I tell, the world would be better if you could visit your south neighbors and come back to Lebanon. Maybe this day I will be allowed to visit Beirut and see if it is so beautiful as I heard it is. :-)

So wrong, dear " Jew (real one)"! Prejudice? Pre-juddgment? And after what you wrote, please, try to be a better example of JEWISH to people like me. Don´t make me feel shy for being Brazilian, Mr. "Real One", And don´t try to make me believe Jewish behave this way, because I know many good, enlighted, cultured, Jews, they don´t behave like you. What a narrowed-mind you are. I don´t hide my full name, nor my e-mail as you do. My intentions are clear, yours... please, enlight them. Don´t hide yourself behind ynetnews to offend people you even don´t know. Anussim don´t need your money, but thanks for your concerning. We are medicine doctors. lawyers, engeneers, journalists, academics, psycologist, etc. Of course, there are some that didn´t have the same opportunity, like those from Brejo da Madre de Deus, a community of hand labours, but that never asked for a cent, they provide what they need to live, and yet, in such conditions, they are able to share what they have. Talk to Mr. Baruch, their leader, you would become a wiser man, I assure you. And don´t offer money, don´t you dare to offend them! What do anussim need? We need your understanding, your acceptance, your warm welcome in synagogues, your knowledge, your stories, your songs (mainly those beautiful ladino songs). Many things lost in centuries of History that was taken from us Teach us to be good Jewish, according to Halachá, give us good examples of life, and not mean, poor souls like some "real jews" . Do you have time? If so, please, take a time to teach us, but do it with love and mercy (arrogance will not be acepted We don´t want CONVERSION. We don´t want anything, but the right of being recocgnized as Jews. Understand that in ours souls, in our life, we are already Jewish. Our commitment is with G´d, not with human being, Mr. "Real One", cannot you understand that we RETURNED TO G´D?? With all respect, what makes you think we need YOUR approuval?? Anyway, I hope we can become friends one day, if you are able to respect and acept differences ... and become a good and "real one" Jewish, one that I could respect. Leonor Medeiros.

How so Jewishly stubborn of you Leonor to refuse conversion! You should only know that the assistance you want of the Jewish communities in order to become "a better Jew", is more-or-less what the obtuse rabbis require of you for conversion. So, why don't we climb down the tree a bit and listen to each other for a change, uh? After all, we're family, and families do squabble. I only hope you people over there get what you need and deserve, a couple of erudite, dedicated, and open-minded Judaism teachers, and not some ChaBa"D heretic-fanaticists. Love from your Israeli cousins; we've been missing you for 5 centuries, and it's good to have you back!

And I converted back. I'm from Sicily and my mother's family come from the anusim. Now I live in Israel.

I'm a European and def don't need the money of the State of Israel. I'm not from a poor country. My mother and her mother are crypto-jews so...I went through conversion. I think it's better that you keep your poor opinions to yourself.

Talk about stingy in terms of helping one's own. . . While almost a million poor Jews were driven out of Arab countries in the 1940's they were welcomed into Israel, at the same time the Palestinian/Arabs who were asked to leave Israel by the surrounding Arab countries so the Arab Armies could destroy it where made into refugees and continue to be refugees in their own brethren Arab countries. It is well known that the so called Palestinians are ARABS it is also well known that the surrounding ARAB countries including Lebanon keep their Palestinian Arab Brothers in Perpetual Refugee Status with no rights even when they are born and raised in those countries. Charity starts at the home. . . Israel is unique in the world in assimilating huge amounts of people into their small country and most of those people are poor. . . as for the Crypto Jews as they are only now discovering their heritige it should be expected that only now Israel would begin the process of verification and of course helping them back towards Judaism. But like all State Institutions they work slow and therefore should be pushed along by the private sector and the first step is awareness as this article is doing by publicizing this story. Am Israel Chai!

Something must be done to help those among our brethren who want to return to Torah. Treating them unkindly and insisting they convert (when their ancestral apostasy was forced upon them) is loathsome.

CANT THEY JUST LET UP WITH THEIR RESTRICTIVE INTERPRETATIONS OF HALLACHA FOR ONE MOMENT!OPEN YOUR ARMS TO OUR POOR LOST PEOPLE AND HELP THEM !! KIRUV FOR KIDDUSH HASHEM!!! LOVE YOUR OWN AT LEAST!

Hi, Nyctamere, for me and for many anussim acept convertion is the same as deny our ancestors, our roots. It´s a moral question for us ,we cannot acept it, really. I am sorry, but here is not the apropriated place to discuss convertion x teshuvá. Just wanted you to know I am very glad to hear of you and your nice words. Thank you, dear cousin. Leonor Medeiros

I don' t think anybody can challenge your legitimate interest to Judaism, and it is in fact admirable. Yet, and a big yet, Judaism is not a religion of "stories, songs (mainly those beautiful ladino songs)". Jews are those that keep the Torah, the Law of Moses, that has been kept and remained unchanged for 3000 years. If you trully want to become a Jew, you need to recognize the validity of this system. That's what being a Jew means. Being a Jew is not singing nice songs whenever it feels good. Being a Jew is a very difficult thing. Ask an Israeli if being a Jew in the middle east is easy. Ask a Holocaust survivor if being Jewish is easy. Look at our history - Jews have experienced 3000 years of persecution and our country currently is experiencing an existential threat with Iran's bomb. So if you are trully honest in being a Jew, than please recognize that the law of Moses says if a mother is not Jewish, than you must need to CONVERT. I am sure you have Jewish roots, yet your mother is not Jewish, and according to halacha, you need to convert. That is the law of the Jews. Also, why is it embarassing to convert? - in fact we are comanded to respect and treat converts as equals (did you know we say that every shabbat and it is the law written in the Torah?). YET, IF you cannot accept this law regarding conversion, it means you are not ready to accept so many other laws (kashrut, shabbat, niddah, talmud torah). So Mr. Medeiro, Once again, being a Jew is not about singing nice Ladino songs. Being a Jew is about being part of the Jewish nation, being connected to Israel, and keeping ALL (not a couple) of the laws of moses. If you trully are interested in Judaism, seek conversion and you will be embraced by all Jews. Your refusal and arrogance of NOT seeking conversion reveals your lack of seriousness and devotion to Jewish Laws and to Judaism itself.

Im horrified at your dismissive attitude. Speaking as a Crypto-Jew who returned to Judaism via orthodox conversion 40 yrs ago I experienced the pain and continue to suffer the loss with my brothers and sisters from both Portugal and Brasil. We fully understand the need for study and mikva but need to be accepted as decendants of Jews. We want that recognition -we are the decendants of very special and brave Portuguese Jews -we will not deny them. Rufina Director of Saudades Sefarad www.saudades.org http://groups.yahoo.com/group/saudades-sefarad

Thank you David for your understanding . May Hashem grant our leaders the wisdom and humility needed to assist in reaching out to our brothers and sisters who are wanting to return. Shalom and blessings Rufina Celebrating our Portuguese-Jewish Heritage Saudades-Sefarad www.saudades.org

I think we all understand how you feel. I would say that, surely, most Israelis and Jews would be glad to welcome you back to the Jewish nation. I, for one, would be glad for the lost Jews of the world to return to their people. Unfortunately, the Israeli Rabbinate are both arrogant and overly-bureaucratic, and I find it difficult to believe that they will recognize your "Jewishness" without some sort of proof (a ridiculous demand, I know). In any case, I am sure that most of us will gladly welcome you. If, however, it is acceptance by the Israeli Rabbis that you seek, or Aliyah under the law of return, then perhaps it would be benificial to simply complete the conversion process. You need not think of it as a 'conversion', for you are essentially Jewish already. Instead, you could think of it as a 'return' to mainstream Judaism. I would like to invite you, and all other Jews (and non-Jews who are interested) to join an online Jewish community that some friends and I have been working on. This website was created to serve as an online community for Jews all over the world, of every degree of observance, and of every sect and movement. It was created in order to combat the growing loss of Jewish identity, and to form a feeling of Jewish unity between Jews from all over the world – especially between Israeli and Diaspora Jews. We hope that with time, as we form a larger community, we will be able to become politically active by doing things like initiating petitions and donating to charities as a unified community of Jews from all over the world. http://www.globaljewishcommunity.com

Mr. Reader (I wish you had a name), in any moment I said Judaism means music, stories, History, etc. Sorry, you misunderstood me. No, I don´t need conversion, I come from generations of matrilinear endogamic marriages. Yes, I respect Halachá, Torá, I guess It´s clear in my message. Tell me something. After more than 20 years living in Brazil jews left this land in direction to Caribean islands, New York (New Amsterdam) and Holland. Many of them were criptojews here. Those who went to Holand, for instance, build up synagogues and restarted a Jewish life. Who converted them? Nobody, they simply RETURNED to Judaism. Again, it´s not a subject we can talk in few llines dropped on a webpage like Ynet. Arrogance, seriousness? Aagain, do not judge us, unless you have a card where is said G´d gave you permission to do so. Leonor Medeiros

Dear Bechor, thanks for your understandig. I also comprehend that mamy of you just want to help us when you say conversion would be the easier way . Nevertheless, IMHO, I guess we are under judgment of ashkenazi rabbis and - with all respect - they simply don´t know what is anussim about. I am a 52 yars old lady, a journalist, far from being an ingnorant, and I assure you we, anussim, know why we afirm that we don´t need conversion. Leonor Medeiros