Sefardic roots
Probably some of you already know about a book that has just been released about some sephardic families living in northern Mexico, here is a copy paste of the info:
Comments
Carlos,
my Spanish isn't very good. but in the bottom paragraphs where it mentions the several surnames that are Sephardic does it say if you get a Sephardic certificate than you can get Spanish citizenship? Because I descend from all five of the surnames mentioned.
Danny C. Alonso
Exactly Danny, it says that the book is the result of a project aimed to prove the sephardic roots of one specific mexican family what was proudly acomplished and áfter the presentation of the said book the family obtained the sephardic certificate and therefore the Spanish citicenship.
Thank you Carlos. This is very interesting. I need to get this book and do some research.
Danny C. Alonso
Hi Danny,
I believe it was under the Franco dictatorship that the doors were first opened for Sefardis. Since the Democratic Transition, Sefardis are fast-tracked through the naturalization process, requiring 2 years of residence in Spain (as opposed to 10). This new law waives the naturalization process and gives instant citizenship (you don’t even have to live in Spain!!).
But there are still some hoops to jump through:
- You have to get certification from a Rabbinical authority regarding your Sefardic pedigree;
- You have to be “linked” to Spain (you’ve traveled there, or studied Spanish language & culture, etc);
- You have to take the DELE exam showing that you speak basic Spanish (waived for those from Spanish-speaking countries);
- You have to take an exam showing that you have knowledge of the Spanish Constitution and Spanish customs.
The approval process can take anywhere from 13 months to 2 years, depending on who you ask. Also, though I’m not 100%, you need to apply within 3 years of 1 Oct 2015, when the new Law was enacted, so by 1 Oct 2018.
Here’s a link to immigration lawyers who specialize, watch the video:
http://www.immigrationspain.es/2014/08/spanish-sephardic-passport/?gcli…
Here is a good FAQ:
http://www.rhodesjewishmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/FAQs-for-S…
My take? Spain’s been hit hard by the global economic crisis, and unemployment for men under the age of 25 was close to 50%, last I heard. Social services are strained with the large number of retirees and unemployed. The one advantage of Spanish citizenship I can see is, Spain is a member of the EU, which might help for employment opportunities in other member states.
Would you be willing to swear an oath to the Spanish King? :)
Saludos!
Manny Diez Hermosillo
Thank you Manny. This information is very helpful. I didn't really know any Spanish or anything about Spanish customs before doing genealogy and now I know a lot more. Probly not enough to pass a test but I'll be studying Spanish in the fall so maybe I'll get a lot better soon and Im hoping to travel to Spain or other Spanish countries in college but I don't know if I'll know enough by 2018. but the thing about the Spanish king, do you lose your American citizenship if you do that?
Danny C. Alonso
Hi Danny,
If you use the Sefardi option, you can keep both nationalities. But then, as far as I know, the US doesn't recognize dual-nationalities, though they may have exceptions, I don't know. You'll have to look into that.
“Dual nationality
If you are successful, you will have to swear your loyalty to the King and promise to obey the Spanish constitution and laws.
Unless you’re from a Spanish-American country, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal, you will also have to renounce your previous nationality. Sephardic Jews and descendents can also maintain their original citizenship to have dual nationality.
You will lose your Spanish citizenship if you reside abroad and take up another nationality (or use your old nationality) for more than three years, unless within that three-year period you declare to the Civil Registry your will to keep Spanish nationality.”
Source: Expatria (http://www.expatica.com/es/visas-and-permits/How-to-get-Spanish-citizen…)
Hello,
In order to meet the criteria for Spanish citizenship you need to qualify and prove several items. Surnames alone isn't proof of one's lineage as many conversos and crypto jews changed their surnames for various reasons. The body in Spain that decides what is actual "proof" is called Federacion de communidades Judias de Espanol. The website is in Spanish and English. You will find all the info there. DNA is also not accepted.
You can see all the info and criteria here: http://www.fcje.org/preguntas-frecuentes/
On the book, I've read that the sources of the DNA study is being questioned. Since everyone in this forum is very sensitive to plagiarism etc. I thought I'd mention it. There is a person who conducted a DNA study of 100 of his relatives in Allende, NL. He is claiming that the information used in this book is his own and that it was stolen from his drop box by a mutual friend. I cannot verify the claim but would like to put this disclaimer out there. The genealogist is Paulino Alaniz and the discussion is all over Facebook genealogy sites.
Maven
sefardic roots