Editor's Note, Volume 13, Issue 3, Summer 2023
Dear Readers of Sephardic Horizons,
The current summer issue brings an eclectic mix of articles and reviews, covering periods from the sixteenth century in Salonika to seventeenth century Canada, and twentieth century Iran, Libya, and Israel. Marvin J. Heller contributes an article on early printing by the Albelda family, exiles from Spain, who were active in Arta, Vlora, and Salonika during the fifteen hundreds, being published in Constantinople and Venice, while Nicolas-Samuel Baron Bernier brings us a historical scoop: the presence of a Turkish Jew in Canada at the end of the seventeenth century, many years earlier than previously thought. Canada at the time did not allow Jews to immigrate, and yet a Turkish Jew lived in Ottowa during those years.
We pass to the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries for an interview with David Livi of the Jewish community of Mashhad, whose ancestors were forced as a group to become secret Jews, outwardly Muslim, until under twentieth-century liberalization they could return to Judaism as they moved to Tehran under the father of the shah. A photo essay and a poetry collection recall the momentous events of June 1967: Penina Meghnagi Solomon’s poetry evokes the expulsion of Jews from their millennia-long homes in Libya at the time of the Six Day War, while Michael Sager’s photo essay on walking the Seam of Jerusalem, the former division down the middle of the city between Israel and Jordan, reminds us of the pre-1967 state of war and its few reminders today: occasional physical relics and lingering tensions.
Some of our eight reviews by numerous scholars relate to these articles: a children’s book on a Persian Passover by Etan Basseri, reviewed by Annette Fromm, a scholarly review by Rachel Simon of a diary from Giado, the Italian Fascist concentration camp for Libyan Jews, and many fascinating reviews (for all of which we are very appreciative) by well-qualified scholars on books that you will want to follow up on.
In memoriam: we sadly mark the passing of Moshe Shaul, founder and editor of the journal entirely in Ladino, Aki Yerushalayim, one of the main pillars of the Sephardic renaissance of recent years, perhaps the greatest one; also the passing of Tamar Alexander, another essential figure and professor of Sephardic folklore, editor of El Prezente, at Ben Gurion University of the Negev; in recent days, we have lost a dear friend and unique supporter of the Jewish Community of Livorno, Shmuel/ Samuele Zarrugh; may the memories of all three be a blessing and inspiration.
Many thanks to Altan Gabbay for webmastering, Annette Fromm for editing and book reviews, and Gila Griner for transcriptions, as well as to all our talented writers. Keridos meldadores, dear readers, if you read and appreciate our articles and reviews, please do consider sending us a donation, however small, to support the expenses (website, editing, purchasing books) of Sephardic Horizons. All contributions are used to maximum effect for the purposes of our journal.
Happy reading from Judith Roumani (editor), Annette Fromm, and Altan Gabbay.
Anyada buena, Shana tova, a year of good health and prosperity to all our readers!
Judith Roumani,
Editor of Sephardic Horizons