Editor's Note
We are proud to bring to our readers the first issue of Sephardic Horizons, a new online journal of Sephardic culture.
Our first issue brings you a diverse group of articles and book reviews. Bension Varon, a member of the Vijitas de Alhad, a Sephardic group in the Washington DC area, discusses his identity as both Sephardi and Turkish. Sandra M. Cypess has entrusted us with her study of the Mexican playwright Sabina Berman’s play on the tragic figure of the secret Jew, Luis de Carbajal, and his sufferings at the hands of the Inquisition in Mexico. We are excited to publish Ralph Tarica’s genealogical adventure, documenting his original research on the history of the name ‘Tarica’ in Spain and around the Mediterranean, particularly Turkey and Rhodes. Lastly, Harvey Goldberg has contributed an article on various Purim celebrations that traditionally were marked in Tripoli, Libya, where the precariousness of Jewish life has necessitated repeated saving from danger. Our book reviews include Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean, by Edward Kritzler, and Friendly Fire by the Israeli writer A.B. Yehoshua.
Do drop us a line and let us know what you think about our new journal, and also send us your writing: we are open to original research and new writing of all kinds relating to Sephardic literature, history and culture.
With thanks to the members of Vijitas de Alhad of Washington DC, and the Jewish Institute of Pitigliano, for material support; and to the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning (of Greater Washington), to Sephardic Horizon’s editorial board and advisory board, and to Robert Nussenblatt and Shulamit Elster, for their advice and moral support in this new venture. Special thanks are due to our volunteer webmaster, Isaac Nehama, without whom this project could not have come to fruition.
Judith Roumani