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Hello friends of CVJHP!
Since January, we have been on the move: from Brazil to South Africa and from Rhode Island to Massachusetts, we are building bridges, forging partnerships, and educating academics and diaspora communities alike about our work restoring, maintaining and providing signage to Jewish cemeteries in Cabo Verde as well as documenting the legacy of the Moroccan Jews and their descendants through our recently published book. José Levy, who is now on CVJHP's Board of Directors, attended the 3rd Annual Jewish Africa Conference, sponsored by Mimouna Association, held in Cape Town, South Africa. José made a presentation before representatives of Jewish communities from around the world and offered our book to the Jewish Museum and University of Cape Town's Jewish Studies Center.
In March, I travelled to São Paulo to promote our book and make contacts with the Associação Caboverdeana do Brasil (ACVB), based in Santo André, who warmly welcomed me. The primary impetus for my trip was the Jews of Amazonia exhibition at the Jewish Museum of Sao Paulo. The Moroccan Jews who went to Amazonia also immigrated to Cabo Verde! Both migrant waves are post-Inquisition (after 1821) and both came primarily from Northern Morocco (Tangier/Tetouan) to escape political and economic turmoil roiling that region. The banner photo above features Armindo Cohen, VP of ACVB, pointing to his family name! The historical and familial linkages between the Moroccans who landed in Amazonia and those who set sail for Cabo Verde are inextricable. In São Paulo, one of the most prestigious publishers of Jewish books, Editora Sêfer, agreed to market our book on the Moroccan Jews of Cabo Verde.
On my trip to Rhode Island, I met Congressman Gabe Amo, whose district comprises Jews and Cabo Verdeans, Joe DaMoura, director of the Cape Verdean Museum and leaders of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. (See photo of Stephanie Hague, chief strategy officer, and me.) Thanks to Joe who included a section on the Jews of Cabo Verde in the Cape Verdean Museum! It was heartwarming to reconnect with Salomão Benchimol, one of the Jewish descendants based in Providence, RI. Thanks to Consul General of Cabo Verde in Boston, Octavio Gomes, who shared fond memories of the Jewish presence in his native São Vicente. We spoke about greater cooperation and upcoming festivities marking Cabo Verde's 50th anniversary of independence. Thanks to Shirley Farber and hosts of Radio Voz do Emigrante and Radio Diaspora de Cabo Verde for interviewing me. CVJHP will continue to educate and deepen these personal, political and community partnerships in the months ahead.
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