March 6, 2024 Symposium on Cabo Verde’s Moroccan Jewish Heritage
After the March 6, 2024 Plaque Unveiling Ceremony at the Jewish burial plot in Praia, US Ambassador Jeff Daigle hosted an elegant luncheon at his residence for the international delegation. Then, a Symposium on “Cabo Verde’s Precious Moroccan Jewish Heritage” ensued at the Biblioteca Nacional de Cabo Verde (National Library). Among the speakers were Dr. Raquel Levy-Toledano, a Moroccan Jew based in Paris, who presented a fascinating account of her family history (Levy side) and concluded with the surprise discovery that she is related to our beloved descendant, Abraão Levy and family, in Praia. Their common ancestor is a Levy from the city of Mogador (now Essaouira) in Morocco. She is conducting scientific research involving DNA testing to determine patrilineal lineage for people of Moroccan Jewish descent. Her research has the potential of connecting many more Moroccan Jews like herself with their Cabo Verdean “cousins.” See her website Avotaynu.
Januário Nascimento (Auday family), made a forceful case for the maintenance and preservation of Cabo Verde’s Jewish heritage — tangible and intangible. Carol Castiel joined forces with Januário in the mid-1990’s when he was spearheading the restoration of the nation’s dilapidated cemeteries. He currently serves on CVJHP’s advisory board. El-Mehdi Boudra, president of the Association Mimouna, spoke eloquently about his organization’s goal of preserving Jewish heritage in Morocco. Jews have been part and parcel of the Moroccan national fabric for over 2,000 years. Worried about the dwindling Jewish population, El Mehdi and several other Muslim students, created Association Mimouna to keep Morocco’s Jewish heritage alive. Mimouna is a cherished partner of CVJHP. Carol Castiel, CVJHP President, presented an overview of CVJHP’s work, such as the restoration of several Jewish cemeteries, the creation of commemorative plaques and signage, and the publication of the book “Os Judeus Marroquinos de Cabo Verde: Século XIX” published by Colibri, among other accomplishments. The book is currently being translated into English. The pièce de résistance was a Q & A session called “Ask the Rabbi” with the Melilla-born chief rabbi of the Lisbon Jewish community, Ruben Suiza. After the symposium, guests and panelists mingled at a reception generously hosted by the Ministry of Comunidades.
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Photo credit: Sandra Patrícia Reis Silva and Simão Levy
