The first Jewish communities began to settle in the Iberian Peninsula, known as Sefarad, nearly three thousand years ago. Over time, they established themselves in numerous cities, sharing their culture and knowledge while also absorbing local traditions. Their impact was profound and enduring, with contributions spanning all areas of life—from medicine and commerce to literature, music, philosophy, and the arts. This enriching coexistence now forms a fundamental part of Spain’s cultural identity.
Millennial presence
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The Jews expelled during the 15th and 16th centuries were the direct ancestors of today’s Sephardic communities. This expulsion marked the beginning of a decisive diaspora toward Portugal, the Netherlands, Turkey, the Balkans, and the Maghreb. In these new places of settlement, they preserved their language, Judeo-Spanish (Ladino), as well as their rites, songs, recipes, and customs. Thus emerged a Sephardic identity deeply rooted in its Hispanic origins, yet enriched by the diversity of cultures among which it developed.
The expulsion
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From these new territories, the Sephardic communities embarked on a second phase of expansion that took them to Ibero-America, the United States, the United Kingdom, and even China. This new Hispano-Jewish journey represented not only a geographical relocation, but also a continuation of a shared cultural legacy. They carried with them their prayers, songs, language, and collective memory, and above all, their values: respect for knowledge, tolerance, family, and tradition.
The Sephardic diaspora
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We want to establish a new relationship between the Jewish people and the Spanish-speaking world, shedding light on our shared history and values.
Mission and objetives
Context and origin
Fundación HispanoJudía (FHJ) was established in 2016, following the approval of the law that allows descendants of Sephardic Jews to obtain Spanish nationality.
On June 11, 2015, the Spanish Congress of Deputies approved the law granting Spanish nationality to Sephardic Jews. This law allows descendants of the Jews expelled in 1492 to acquire Spanish nationality without having to renounce their previous nationality or reside in Spain. It is estimated that some 36,182 applications for nationality have been processed.
International Projection
The FHJ has established the Hispanic Jewish Endowment Inc. in Miami, a charitable organization that seeks to involve the Hispanic Jewish community in the United States in the creation and development of Museo HispanoJudío (MHJ), thus promoting its global reach.
A Living Legacy
The founding objective of the FHJ is to shed light on 2,000 years of Jewish history in Spain and to highlight the legacy of Hispanic-Jewish culture worldwide. Its main project is the construction of Museo Hispanojudío (MHJ) in Madrid, a space dedicated to showcasing the deep Jewish roots of Hispanic culture.
Memory and Education
The Foundation aims to recover, through the Museum, the historical Jewish heritage in both Spain and Latin America, which is largely unknown to the general public. Furthermore, it promotes educational and cultural programs that foster empathy, disseminate shared values between Hispanics and Jews, and encourage the recovery of the historical memory of the role Jews played in Spain and around the world.
FHJ numbers
80
Members of the international board of trustees characterized by their diversity in terms of background and religion.
10
Benefactors, companies and internationally renowned entrepreneurs.
25
Members of the International Advisory Board come from different areas of culture, politics and business.
+ 2000
Friends scattered across the globe.
6
Friends associations (active and future) that are spokespeople for the FHJ in the world.
+ 450
Activities developed by the FHJ since its creation in 2016.
La FHJ en números
80
Miembros del patronato internacional caracterizados por su diversidad en cuanto a procedencia y religión.
10
Benefactores, empresas y empresarios de renombre internacional.
25
Miembros del Consejo Asesor Internacional procedentes de diferentes ámbitos de la cultura, la política y la empresa.
+ 2000
Amigos distribuidos por la geografía mundial.
6
Asociaciones de amigos (activas y futuras) altavoces de la FHJ en el mundo.
+ 450
Actividades desarrolladas por la FHJ desde su creación en 2016.
Governing bodies
Members of the Board of Trustees.
Mauricio Botton Carasso
(President – Honor)
Charlotte Staticelli-Revel de Botton
(President – Honor)
David Hatchwell Altaras (Chairman)
Francisco Javier Cremades García (Vicechairman)
Pablo Kleinman (Vicechairman)
Santiago Fierro de Orueta (General Secretary)
Mariola Ruiz (Vicesecretary)
Alicia Alcocer Koplowitz
Monique Altaras Amram
Felix Arroyo Pujol
Raphaël Benatar Leitman
Samuel Bengio
Isaac Benzaquen Chocrón
Astrid Benzaquen Misrahi
Jennie Cababie de Serur
Ignacio Calderón Lanczyner
Nacho Cano
Juan Luis Cebrían Echarri
David Chocrón Bendayan
Bibiña Chocrón Bentata
Jaime Chocrón Israel
Moisés Chocrón Macías
Sergio Ciklik Sneider
Claudia Cisneros Fontanals
Solita Cohen Bendayan
Pedro Cortina Koplowitz
Juan Ignacio Entrecanales Franco
Luis y Heidi Epelstein
Nily Falic
Aaron Feldman
Joseph Fidanque Tercero
Michael Friedman
Rocío Gil Oset
Lucía Goy Mastromiechele
Eric Gross
Alberto y Karen Guindi
David Gutiérrez
Sarah Halioua Bencheton
Kareen Hatchwell
Blas Herrero
Nicolas Kogan
Alicia Koplowitz Romero de Juseu
Marcos Metta Cohen
Edward Misrahi
Andrés Orchansky
Natalia Ordenes
Alberto Palatchi Ribera
Dick y Yael Rubinstein
Diana Rubinstein
David Peñaloza Sandoval
Jimmy Pinto Toledano
Alejandro Pitashny
Alberto Isaac Saba Ades
Silvia Sacal
Mauricio Sacal Atri
Linda Scaperotto de Matutes
Adrián y Carol Sucari
David y Berta Sutton Dabbah
Ezequiel Szafir Holcman
Douglas Paul Teitelbaum
Cindy Teperman
Luis Vidal
Mónica Vidal
Núria Vilanova Giralt
Jannet y Mauricio Wapinski
Saúl Weisleder Weisleder
Donna Weiss Lam
Stuart Weitzman
Darío Werthein
Elissa Wuliger
Dinah y Mayer Zaga
Youssef Zaher
Yildiz Blackstone
In Memoriam.
Sadia Cohen Zrihen Z’L
Daniel Rubinstein Lach Z’L
David Serur Edid Z’L
Benefactors.
Cota Cohen
Jorge Cosmen
Katia Costi
Mónica y Pepe Daniel
Hellen Deller
Josi y Carla Eshkenazi
Fundación Ramón Areces
Inditex
Jorge Navea
Leandro Sigman Gold
Advisory board.
Composed of 25 prominent figures from diverse fields—business, culture, institutions, economics, science, and the arts; each contributes their expertise and guidance to the most relevant initiatives undertaken by the FHJ and the MHJ.
All the members of the Advisory Board share a common denominator: their outstanding human and professional values, which, together with their diverse and multidisciplinary perspectives, constitute a valuable source of knowledge.
Executive Board
Isaac Benzaquen, Spain
David Chocron, Spain
Jaime Chocron. Spain
Javier Cremades, Spain
Joseph Fidanque III, Panamá
David Hatchwell, Spain
Pablo Kleinman, USA
Marcos Metta, México
Adrian Sucari, Argentina
Cindy Teperman, Argentina
Elissa Wuliger, USA
FHJ Embassor
Cindy Teperman
FHJ Director
Mónica Sánchez-Rubio
International Associations of Friends of the FHJ
ARGENTINA
Adrián Sucari, chairman
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Elissa Wuliger, chairman
ISRAEL
Edward Misrahi, chairman
MÉXICO
Jorge Arditti, interim committee
Katia Costi, interim committee
Marcos Metta, interim committee
Mauricio Sacal, interim committee
Jacobo Sigal, interim committee
Mauricio Wapinski, interim committee
PANAMÁ
Joseph Fidanque III, chairman