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Brazil: The Oldest Jewish Community in the Americas

Image and text by Jewish Heritage Alliance (JHA) and GTA Books

Virtual Lecture on March 30, 2025: “Brazil: The Oldest Jewish Community in the Americas”

 Presented by: Author and Jewish Historian Irene Shaland

 Hosted by: Jewish Heritage Alliance

 Date and time: Sunday, March 30 1:00PM – 2:30 PM EDT

About this event

Event lasts 1 hour 30 minutes

Tickets: $0 – $50 (Free Admission available, all donations are welcomed)

Click here for more information and to register 

“Brazil: The Oldest Jewish Community in the Americas”

One of the many untold stories about the Sefarad legacy is the fact that Portuguese Jews and New Christians played a pivotal role in the discovery of Brazil. They were among the very first settlers in the country, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to shape Brazil’s rich cultural tapestry.

In 1500, Gaspar da Gama, a Jewish interpreter and advisor to Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral, is believed to be the first European to set foot in Brazil as part of Cabral’s expedition. But the story doesn’t end there. In 1636, the first Jewish community in the Americas was established in Brazil, with the construction of the first synagogue in Recife—a little-known yet groundbreaking chapter in history.

Today, Brazil is home to an estimated 90,000 to 120,000 Jews, but the influence of Jewish heritage extends far beyond this number. Over 50 million Brazilians are descendants of conversos—Jews who were forced to convert to Catholicism during the tumultuous times of Medieval Spain and Portugal. Their stories, struggles, and contributions are an integral part of Brazil’s identity.

To learn more about this extraordinary story, join us as we embark on a virtual journey delivered by a renowned historian, author, and speaker Irene Shaland as she uncovers 500 years of Jewish history woven into the very fabric of Brazil. Beginning in the mysterious world of 15th-century politics, deception, and exploration, discover the pivotal role of crypto-Jews in shaping the story of Brazil.

Dive deep into the untold stories that reveal why Anna Novinsky, a leading expert in Jewish history, famously declared, “The Jews built Brazil!” Travel through space and time from the 15th century to the present day, visiting key regions including Recife, Salvador (Bahia), Manaus (the “Gateway to the Amazon”), Rio de Janeiro, and the Iguassu Falls. Immerse yourself in the diverse Jewish narratives that have flourished in this fascinating country’s bustling cities and remote jungles. This is a journey you won’t want to miss, whether you’re a history buff, a culture enthusiast, or simply curious. Join us for a captivating lecture that promises to shed light on the hidden Jewish influences in Brazil’s history. Get ready to be engaged and enlightened!

PROGRAM INTRODUCTION:

Mr. Michael Steinberger, Founder & CEO of JHA.

KEY SPEAKER / PRESENTER:

Irene Shaland is an internationally published art and travel writer, educator, and lecturer. She focuses on the rich tapestry of global Jewish experiences, culture, and heritage. Irene writes and lectures on various countries’ responses to the Holocaust. A member of the International Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies, she presents at the Society’s annual conferences and contributes to its HaLapid academic journal. Irene is a contributing author and lecturer at such academic institutions as Siegal College of Jewish Studies and Touro Law School of New York; museums and cultural institutions, like the Center for Jewish History Research/American Sephardic Federation in New York and Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage in Cleveland.

Irene holds a BA in Journalism and Theater and Art History from St. Petersburg University (Russia), an MA in English from Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, Ohio), and an MA in information sciences from Kent State University (Kent, Ohio). Irene and her husband, travel photographer Alex reside in Lyndhurst, Ohio.

Learn more about the presenter, Irene Shaland:

https://amzn.to/3DM6rDk

PROGRAM CO-SPONSORS:

Assisting in underwriting the cost of the event are:

University of Miami (Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies and the George Feldenkreis Program in Judaic Studies)

Congregation Mikveh Israel by the way of the late scholar Herman Prins Salomon

CO-HOSTING PARTNERS:

Assisting in promoting this program are:

Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE)

ANU Museum of the Jewish People

European Jewish Community Centre (EJCC)

Women’s International Zionist Organization (WIZO)

Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies (SCJS)

Reconectar helping to reconnect descendants of Spanish and Portuguese Jewish communities and the Jewish world

Reserve today!

For more information about our work, mission and dedication, you can follow us:

Website: https://jewishheritagealliance.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jewishheritagealliance

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jewish_heritage_alliance/

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Jewish Revival in the Mediterranean

advertisement for Jewish Revival lecture at BZD

“Jewish Revival in the Mediterranean: Rediscovering Hidden Legacies”

Come VIRTUALLY to Irene Shaland’s lecture on
February 11th at 11:00 AM EST

Presenter:

Internationally published writer and educator Irene Shaland

Date and Time of this virtual event:

Tuesday, February 11th at 11:00 AM EST

Description: 

Travel to Southern Italy, which presents an unusually optimistic chapter in the history of the Jewish Diaspora. Visit the islands of Sicily and Sardinia and the tip of the Italian “boot,” Calabria, in the company of a Jewish author and historian Irene Shaland. On this virtual trip, you will discover a world of little-known Jewish history: centuries marked by fear and secrets, decades filled with the search for one’s identity, and the courage to defy conventions by reinventing oneself.

These are the stories of B’nei Anousim, or “children of the forced ones” from Southern Italy. The destruction of synagogues and the burning of “Judaizers” five centuries ago forced the Jews of Sicily, Sardinia, and Calabria to take their traditions down to the cellars of their homes, where the memories and stories were kept alive, even when descendants forgot their exact meaning.

And now, the number of those with a “call of blood,” who think they have Jewish ancestry and want to learn more about it or even embrace their newly-discovered heritage, is on the rise throughout Southern Italy. Let the story of the Anousim lead you into the world of hope – the cultural and spiritual reawakening – The Return of The Jews.

For registration and ticketing information follow the link below:

https://bzdisrael.org/jewish-revival-in-the-mediterranean-rediscovering-hidden-legacies/

Learn more about the presenter, Irene Shaland:

https://amzn.to/3DM6rDk

More about Irene Shaland.

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Virtual Event: Navigating Holocaust Remembrance Across Europe

Opening slide of the lecture

Join the Baltimore Zionist District on January 28th
at 11:00 AM for a virtual lecture

“Echoes of Memory: Navigating Holocaust Remembrance Across Europe”

Presenter:
Internationally published writer and educator Irene Shaland

Date and Time:
Tuesday, January 28th, 2025 at 11:00 AM EST

Description provided by BZD: 

Join the Baltimore Zionist District on January 28th at 11:00 AM for “Echoes of Memory: Navigating Holocaust Remembrance Across Europe,” a powerful virtual event that coincides with International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Hosted by internationally published writer and educator Irene Shaland, this session provides a poignant exploration of four European countries to understand the multifaceted responses to Holocaust remembrance.

Journey Across Four Nations: Austria, Germany, Hungary, and the Soviet Union

Our exploration begins in Vienna, Austria, where the city’s reputation as a beacon of European culture dramatically darkened after the Anschluss. Discover how Vienna transformed from the home of Mahler and Freud into a place marked by profound antisemitism, and trace Austria’s path from initial denial to its current reckoning with the past.

In Germany, witness a nation’s proactive engagement with its painful history. We will virtually visit Berlin’s Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and Daniel Libeskind’s Jewish Museum, concluding with a discussion on the Stolpersteine project, which personalizes the Holocaust experience across Europe.

Our virtual tour then takes us to Budapest, Hungary, where the haunting “Shoes on the Danube” memorial serves as a stark reminder of Hungarian involvement in the Holocaust. Examine Hungary’s struggle with its history and identity, highlighted by contentious modern memorials that ignite national debate.

Finally, in the former Soviet Union, we visited Minsk, Belarus, home to the deeply moving Yama memorial. Learn about the Soviet suppression of Holocaust recognition and witness how this denial shaped the collective memory of Jews in Soviet territories.

“Echoes of Memory” offers an immersive look at how nations confront or conceal their histories. It’s an essential session for anyone interested in the dynamics of memory, the lessons of the past, and their implications for fighting antisemitism today.

 For registration and ticketing information follow the link below:

Link to event on BZD website:    https://bzdisrael.org/echoes-of-memory-navigating-holocaust-remembrance-across-europe/

Text above by BZD

Learn more about the presenter, Irene Shaland:   https://amzn.to/3DM6rDk

 

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Jewish Life in the Jungles and Cities of Brazil

Unveiling 500 Years of Jewish Life in the Jungles and Cities of Brazil

Irene Shaland’s New Virtual Presentation

theater building in Manaus, Brazil

Image by Alex Shaland: Opera Theater in the heart of the Amazonian jungle. Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.

Organized by BZD organization, Baltimore

Day/Date/Time: Tuesday, November 26th, 11:00 AM EST

For Information and Registration follow the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtdO-urjojH92LbhBLXtumtZxajjaO9fLS

(The link to the presentation is sent after the registration is submitted)

Event Description (from the BZD Website):

Embark on an extraordinary virtual journey with the unparalleled expertise of renowned historian and speaker Irene Shaland as she uncovers 500 years of Jewish history woven into the very fabric of Brazil. From the mysterious world of 15th-century politics, deception, and exploration, discover the pivotal role of Crypto-Jews in shaping Brazil’s development.

Dive deep into the untold stories that reveal why Anna Novinsky, a leading expert in Jewish history, famously declared, “Brazil was built by the Jews!” Travel through time from the 15th century to the present day, visiting key locations such as Salvador Bahia, Manaus, the Amazon, Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, and the Iguassu Falls. Immerse yourself in the rich and diverse Jewish narratives that have flourished in this fascinating country’s bustling cities and remote jungles.

Join the BZD for a captivating lecture that promises to shed light on the hidden Jewish influences in Brazil’s history. This is a journey you won’t want to miss, whether you’re a history buff, a culture enthusiast, or simply curious. Get ready to be engaged and enlightened!

For Information and Registration follow the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtdO-urjojH92LbhBLXtumtZxajjaO9fLS

(The link to the presentation is sent after the registration is submitted)

Click here to check out Irene Shaland’s Books on Amazon

Find out more about the presenter Irene Shaland

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New Children’s eBook on Sale at ONLY $0.99 Oct. 22 through Oct. 24

Jackie the Panguin Goes to America book and Alex Shaland

“Jackie the Penguin Goes to America: Jackie Visits American National Parks and Learns About the Animals, Geysers, Glaciers, Caves, and Native American Tribes”

The third book of “Adventures of Jackie the Penguin” series

In addition to the paperback edition, the eBook edition of “Jackie the Penguin Goes to America”  is now available for purchase and is on sale for only $0.99:   https://amzn.to/3XnNgr4

Would your adventurous child enjoy exploring Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Parks in the company of a little penguin?

In this third book of the Adventures of Jackie the Penguin series, your child will join Jackie and meet all kinds of wild animals; be in awe of geysers, glaciers, and caves; and learn about the local Native American tribes. Vibrant color photographs illustrating every animal make them come alive. And reading the story is just pure fun. Why? Because the story is told by a small person, who happens to be an adorable penguin. By the way, books in this series can be read in any order.

While following Jackie’s adventures, kids will love learning about nature and let their imagination go wild! Whether your child reads this story on their own, or you are the one reading it to them – Jackie the Penguin Goes to America will not only entertain and educate but also foster your child’s desire to explore our world.

Created by an award-winning photographer and author, Alex Shaland, this fun-filled story uniquely combines elements of a picture book and a chapter book. What sets it apart from other children’s books is the abundance of stunning color photographs and fascinating information about nature to learn.

Are you and your child ready to embark on an awesome journey with Jackie the Penguin? You know where to find this book!

Link to eBook edition: https://amzn.to/3XnNgr4

Link to paperback edition: https://amzn.to/3zFZRfL

Learn more about the author Alex Shaland

#bookforkids #booksforkids #bookforchildren #booksforchildren #childrensbooks

 

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Review of “Shaland’s Lisbon: An Illustrated Guide to Jewish History and Sites in and around Lisbon”

Book cover of Irene Shaland's book Lisbon

Review of “Shaland’s Lisbon” by: CB, Amazon reader

Link to book: https://amzn.to/4awMblb

★★★★★ A Fascinating Look at Lisbon

“For a deep dive into Lisbon’s Jewish history, we will reconstruct the past while traveling not only through the modern city but also through time.”

    This book is a vivid and fascinating look into Lisbon through the lens of Jewish history and culture. Irene Shaland paints a colorful story spanning centuries from Biblical times to today through a close-up look at Portugal’s capital (and other beautiful locations too.)

    The book is told through a broad look at each time period, and zooms in each chapter for a close-up look at Jewish life during the time. The information – told like a story, as if Irene were walking you right through Lisbon, with intelligent observation – is complemented by stunning photographs.

    Shaland’s Lisbon is perfect for anyone curious about Jewish history, anyone going to Lisbon, or anyone just curious about the area (it feels like I got to take a little trip there!) The book is perfect for reading on the go, as it takes you through the streets and points out architecture and little details you otherwise might’ve missed.

    Though I’m not Jewish myself, I enjoyed learning more, and was fully fascinated and entranced by Irene’s storytelling that brought Jewish life from centuries ago into the present. But be warned – once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop!

Check this book out:  https://amzn.to/4awMblb

Read more about the Book Author Irene Shaland.

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EXPLORE THE MOSAIC OF SINGAPORE

EXPLORE THE MOSAIC OF SINGAPORE

WITH IRENE SHALAND

Free In-Person Event in Cleveland, Ohio

Text by: Irene Shaland and Artists Archives of the Western Reserve

Saturday, June 1st, 1:00 – 2:30 pm: The Mosaic of Singapore with Irene Shaland

Location: Artists Archives of the Western Reserve, 1834 East 123rd St. Cleveland, Ohio 44106

Register for this FREE IN-PERSON event:  Link to Registration

Travel with Irene Shaland to one of the most amazing destinations in Asia for history and art aficionados: a small city-state of Singapore. Bustling, cosmopolitan, artsy, trendy, modern, clean, and orderly, Singapore plays an important part on the world’s financial and political stage. Ethnically and religiously diverse, this city-state is a true microcosm of tolerance and inclusiveness, unique in our world today.

Discover the fascinating story of the uniquely Singaporean world: composed of a mosaic of cultures: Chinese, Malaysian, Indian, Armenian, Persian, Jewish, Arabic, and European – this is a world like no other.  A country of immigrants, Singapore is called a nation of cultures. Unnoticed by many visitors, the streets of Singapore can double as a museum of modern and contemporary art, while the city skyline displays cutting-edge architecture.

This event is free of charge and will be held at the AAWR gallery. Immediately following the program, a small sampling of authentic food from Singapore, courtesy of Dang Good Foods will be served. 

Register for this FREE IN-PERSON event:  Link to Registration

Marina Bay Sands
Gardens by the Bay and Supertrees
Singapore National Gallery
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Madeira and Azores – Virtual Lecture

May 19, 2024
12:00 Noon EST via Zoom

opening slide of Portuguese lecture

Please “come” virtually to Irene Shaland’s lecture devoted to Jewish history in Portugal. This time, we will be exploring the enchanting islands of Madeira and Azores that belong to Portugal.

This lecture is hosted by the Society for Crypto Judaic Studies. The event is OPEN to the public. To receive the link to the event, you need to register. Please find the link to register: 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON SCJS WEBSITE

About this Zoom event:

Title: “The Hidden History of Jewish People on the Islands of Madeira and Azores and the Unsolved Mystery of a Sefer Torah”

Date: May 19, 2024

Time: 12:00 Noon EST

Description:

Join the renowned author and historian, Irene Shaland, in her exploration of two Portuguese autonomous regions in the Atlantic: Madeira and Azores. With their mild climate, dramatic waterfalls, and mountains, both archipelagos are popular tourist destinations with over five million visitors arriving annually.

However, few tourists know that the two islands of Madeira and the nine islands of Azores have a hidden Jewish history, and the archipelagos tightly guard their secrets.

The Jewish presence on the islands, still under the radar of most historians, spans the entire length of recorded history beginning with their discovery by the Portuguese in the 14th and 15th centuries. It is even thought that the explorer who discovered Madeira, Joao Zarco, was of Crypto-Jewish ancestry.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON SCJS WEBSITE

To learn more about Irene Shaland’s new book “Shaland’s Lisbon: An Illustrated Guide to Jewish History and Sites in and around Lisbon” click here: https://amzn.to/4awMblb

 

Learn more about the presenter Irene Shaland.

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In Search of a Jewish Story in China

In Search of a Jewish Story in China
Free Virtual Presentation Hosted by
New City Library, New York

Date and Time: May 6th, 7:00 PM EST

Join an art and travel writer Irene Shaland as she takes us on a fascinating expedition, both familiar and unknown, through the 2,000 years of history in China. We will journey along the Silk Road and Gobi Desert, and visit six cities: Harbin, Beijing, Dunhuang, Kaifeng, Luoyang, and Shanghai.  

As a Jewish historian, Irene Shaland remains ever attuned to what she calls the Jewish story, an often “endless chain of persecutions, from century to century, from country to country.” However, in China, she uncovered an entirely different chapter in Jewish history, which is divided into two unique narratives: the Jews in China and the Jews of China.

You are invited to discover these fascinating stories and find answers to many perplexing questions:

What are the secrets of the Gobi Desert and the Silk Road?

What do the most anti-Semitic of Russian Tsars, a railroad, a Chinese fishing village, and Russian-Yiddish culture have in common?

How did it happen that a port city in China occupied by the Japanese became a safe haven for thousands of European Jews during World War II?

What important lessons can we learn today from the history of the Chinese Jews?

Finally, why did the Jews of China disappear? And – did they really?

To register follow the link to the New City Library website: https://newcity.librarycalendar.com/event/search-jewish-story-china-43823

Read about Jews in China in Irene Shaland’s book “The Dao of Being Jewish and Other Stories: Tales of Jewish Diaspora, Persecution, the Holocaust and Rebirth in Europe, Africa and Asia.” https://amzn.to/2T1u5kK

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“How to Be a Published Author” Free In-Person Lecture

Post by Jessa Burtis, Contributing Editor

Dear readers, writers, and aspiring authors,

Please join an in-person lecture by author Alex Shaland on how to write and publish your own book. Alex will share his writing and publishing experience at this event, hosted by the Artists Archives of the Western Reserve (AAWR).

Event Details:

Date: March 13, 2024

Time: 6:30 PM – 8 PM

Location: Artists Archives of the Western Reserve

  • Address: 1834 E. 123rd St., Cleveland, Ohio  44106-1910
  • Phone: 216-721-9020

This event is free and open to the public. You can click the link to register:  Register here.

To find out more about the event, click the link here: About the Event

About the Lecture:

Join Alex Shaland’s presentation on the process of writing, editing, and publishing a book, from the first moments of inspiration to marketing your work. You will be able to deepen your knowledge and confidence of publishing, guided by Alex’s own experience writing and publishing his books. Topics covered during the lecture include:

  • Why do you want to write your book?
  • Selecting the subject for your book.
  • Writing your story.
  • Receiving feedback.
  • Editing your manuscript.
  • Choosing how to publish your book.
  • Navigating the publishing process the hard way.
  • Finally, your book is published, so what’s next? Or, how to promote your book once it is published.

To learn more about Alex and his adventures in writing travel and children’s books, click here: About Alex Shaland

To find Alex’s books, click the titles below:

“Suburbanites on Safari”:   https://amzn.to/2NYgSpv

“Jackie the Penguin Goes on Safari”: https://amzn.to/3FjmS6Q

“Jackie the Penguin Goes to Madagascar”:  https://amzn.to/3NQ2RLm

 

 

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