Joel Stigale (founder) talks to uVu about Catalyst Hip Hop. Dancers/Bboys Daniel Zao Montenegro and Kevin Newcre Sanchez tell us about how Catalyst has effected their lives in the Hip Hop community.
The tenth annual celebration for Florida Jewish History Month (FJHM) will take place at the Museum on Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. To complement the statewide observance that marks the 500 years anniversary of the arrival of Juan Ponce de León in Florida, the FJHM theme is “Could Jews as Conversos/Crypto Jews/New Christians have lived in St. Augustine in the 16th century?”
Founding Executive Director,
Marcia Jo Zerivitz
Marcia Jo Zerivitz, the Museum’s
Founding Executive Director, will lead the conversation that will include Dr. Abe Lavender on the history of Conversos in the U.S. and members of the St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society, Rabbi Merrill Shapiro and Prof. John Diviney, Coordinator of the Departments of Spanish and Latin American Studies at Flagler College. Dr. Lavender is editor of the Journal of Spanish, Portuguese and Italian Crypto Jews and Professor of Sociology and Sephardic Studies at Florida International University (FIU).
The Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon sailed from Puerto Rico to Florida, landing in April 1513. He named the area La Florida after Pascua Florida, or the “Festival of Flowers,” in honor of the Easter season.
The observance concludes in 2015, with the celebration of the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest permanent settlement in the United States, established in 1565 by Spanish Admiral Pedro Menéndez de Aviles. The first school, first church, hospital and town hall in the United States were established in St. Augustine. The city was also the first melting pot of different cultures.
Ferdinand and Isabella chose Catholicism to unite Spain and in 1478 asked permission of the pope to begin the Spanish Inquisition to purify the people of Spain. The Alhambra Decree, which ordered the expulsion of Jews, was issued in January 1492. Jews could not live anywhere in the world under Spanish rule. They had three choices: convert to Catholicism (becoming New Christians, Crypto Jews or Conversos), leave the country, or be killed. Since the discovery of Florida and the settlement of St. Augustine were during the Inquisition (1478-1834), were fleeing Jews part of these historic events? Someone needs to ask the question so this is not just a Catholic observance.
Just as these events predate the first permanent English settlement of Jamestown, Virginia in 1607, if Jews sailed with Ponce de Leon in 1513 (just as we know Jews sailed with Columbus) or with Menendez de Aviles in 1565, these facts predate 1654 when Jews arrived in New Amsterdam.
Currently, the earliest documentation of Jews living in Florida is 1763. From 1513-1762, Spain owned Florida, so only Catholics could live here for those 250 years. Following the French-Indian War when the Treaty of Paris was signed in late 1762, Florida was ceded to Great Britain and people other than Catholics, including Jews, could settle. In early 1763, three Jews arrived in Pensacola, bought land and started businesses there.
More than 25 years ago when Marcia Jo Zerivitz began researching and collecting material evidence on Florida Jewish history, she met with Dr. Eugene Lyon, then the director of The St. Augustine Foundation, who shared with her 16th century records of soldiers and settlers in St. Augustine that reflect Spanish Jewish names. Since that time, Zerivitz has been seeking funding and scholars to research her hypothesis that Jews may have lived in Florida 89 years before the commonly accepted date of 1654 when Jews first arrived in North America and 189 years before the first records of Jewish life in Florida.
If documented, this would rewrite American Jewish history.
The only known persons working on this project currently are members the St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society (SAJHS), led by Rabbi Merrill Shapiro.With the impending celebration of the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine, they rose to represent the Jewish component. Examining evidence that includes Menendez’ taking on “undocumented” passengers after leaving the harbor at Cadiz, Spain; the dates of the sighting of the Florida coastline and the first landing; the archaeological revelations of human remains at Fountain of Youth Park; the founder’s understanding of the native Timucuan as the supposed Ten Lost Tribes of Israel; the markers suggested by the Spanish Inquisition as to the characteristics of Conversos/New Christians and the anthroponomastic study of surnames, comparing them to known Sephardic names and names of those tried by the courts of the Inquisition, the SAJHS finds ample support for the hypothesis that Jews first came to what would become the United States along the northeast coast of Florida in 1565.
Rabbi Shapiro said, “To be sure, the presence of Jews in Florida from 1565, unlike the experience of the Jewish refugees from the Inquisition in Recife, Brazil who came to New Amsterdam in 1654, was neither continuous nor populated by anyone other than those whose religious and cultural identities were ruthlessly suppressed with brutality, threats of violence, torture and death. Nonetheless, the SAJHS is greatly concerned with the future of our past and vigorously labors on in the pursuit of the repatriation of the Jewish souls who came to these shores in the days of the Spanish Inquisition.”
Since the Museum’s partnership with Florida International University (FIU) and the arrival on the faculty of Dr. Tudor Parfitt, there is enthusiastic interest in pursuing the question of Conversos in St. Augustine in the 16th century.
Dr. Parfitt said,”It is not yet certain if the first groups of Spaniards to set foot in Florida in the 16th century contained any New Christians/Conversos or not. However the balance of probability is that they did.” Tudor Parfitt, the new President Navon Professor of Sephardi Studies at FIU, assisted by Olivia Autolino, will attempt to ascertain if there were any Conversos among the early settlers in St. Augustine. Working along with the SAJHS, they plan to examine archives in the United States, Spain, Italy and Cuba in an attempt to discover when the first Jew settled in what is now the United States.
The tenth annual celebration for Florida Jewish History Month (FJHM) will take place at the Museum on Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. To complement the statewide observance that marks the 500 years anniversary of the arrival of Juan Ponce de León in Florida, the FJHM theme is “Could Jews as Conversos/Crypto Jews/New Christians have lived in St. Augustine in the 16th century?”
Founding Executive Director,
Marcia Jo Zerivitz
Marcia Jo Zerivitz, the Museum’s
Founding Executive Director, will lead the conversation that will include Dr. Abe Lavender on the history of Conversos in the U.S. and members of the St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society, Rabbi Merrill Shapiro and Prof. John Diviney, Coordinator of the Departments of Spanish and Latin American Studies at Flagler College. Dr. Lavender is editor of the Journal of Spanish, Portuguese and Italian Crypto Jews and Professor of Sociology and Sephardic Studies at Florida International University (FIU).
The Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon sailed from Puerto Rico to Florida, landing in April 1513. He named the area La Florida after Pascua Florida, or the “Festival of Flowers,” in honor of the Easter season.
The observance concludes in 2015, with the celebration of the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest permanent settlement in the United States, established in 1565 by Spanish Admiral Pedro Menéndez de Aviles. The first school, first church, hospital and town hall in the United States were established in St. Augustine. The city was also the first melting pot of different cultures.
Ferdinand and Isabella chose Catholicism to unite Spain and in 1478 asked permission of the pope to begin the Spanish Inquisition to purify the people of Spain. The Alhambra Decree, which ordered the expulsion of Jews, was issued in January 1492. Jews could not live anywhere in the world under Spanish rule. They had three choices: convert to Catholicism (becoming New Christians, Crypto Jews or Conversos), leave the country, or be killed. Since the discovery of Florida and the settlement of St. Augustine were during the Inquisition (1478-1834), were fleeing Jews part of these historic events? Someone needs to ask the question so this is not just a Catholic observance.
Just as these events predate the first permanent English settlement of Jamestown, Virginia in 1607, if Jews sailed with Ponce de Leon in 1513 (just as we know Jews sailed with Columbus) or with Menendez de Aviles in 1565, these facts predate 1654 when Jews arrived in New Amsterdam.
Currently, the earliest documentation of Jews living in Florida is 1763. From 1513-1762, Spain owned Florida, so only Catholics could live here for those 250 years. Following the French-Indian War when the Treaty of Paris was signed in late 1762, Florida was ceded to Great Britain and people other than Catholics, including Jews, could settle. In early 1763, three Jews arrived in Pensacola, bought land and started businesses there.
More than 25 years ago when Marcia Jo Zerivitz began researching and collecting material evidence on Florida Jewish history, she met with Dr. Eugene Lyon, then the director of The St. Augustine Foundation, who shared with her 16th century records of soldiers and settlers in St. Augustine that reflect Spanish Jewish names. Since that time, Zerivitz has been seeking funding and scholars to research her hypothesis that Jews may have lived in Florida 89 years before the commonly accepted date of 1654 when Jews first arrived in North America and 189 years before the first records of Jewish life in Florida.
If documented, this would rewrite American Jewish history.
The only known persons working on this project currently are members the St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society (SAJHS), led by Rabbi Merrill Shapiro.With the impending celebration of the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine, they rose to represent the Jewish component. Examining evidence that includes Menendez’ taking on “undocumented” passengers after leaving the harbor at Cadiz, Spain; the dates of the sighting of the Florida coastline and the first landing; the archaeological revelations of human remains at Fountain of Youth Park; the founder’s understanding of the native Timucuan as the supposed Ten Lost Tribes of Israel; the markers suggested by the Spanish Inquisition as to the characteristics of Conversos/New Christians and the anthroponomastic study of surnames, comparing them to known Sephardic names and names of those tried by the courts of the Inquisition, the SAJHS finds ample support for the hypothesis that Jews first came to what would become the United States along the northeast coast of Florida in 1565.
Rabbi Shapiro said, “To be sure, the presence of Jews in Florida from 1565, unlike the experience of the Jewish refugees from the Inquisition in Recife, Brazil who came to New Amsterdam in 1654, was neither continuous nor populated by anyone other than those whose religious and cultural identities were ruthlessly suppressed with brutality, threats of violence, torture and death. Nonetheless, the SAJHS is greatly concerned with the future of our past and vigorously labors on in the pursuit of the repatriation of the Jewish souls who came to these shores in the days of the Spanish Inquisition.”
Since the Museum’s partnership with Florida International University (FIU) and the arrival on the faculty of Dr. Tudor Parfitt, there is enthusiastic interest in pursuing the question of Conversos in St. Augustine in the 16th century.
Dr. Parfitt said,”It is not yet certain if the first groups of Spaniards to set foot in Florida in the 16th century contained any New Christians/Conversos or not. However the balance of probability is that they did.” Tudor Parfitt, the new President Navon Professor of Sephardi Studies at FIU, assisted by Olivia Autolino, will attempt to ascertain if there were any Conversos among the early settlers in St. Augustine. Working along with the SAJHS, they plan to examine archives in the United States, Spain, Italy and Cuba in an attempt to discover when the first Jew settled in what is now the United States.
The panel discussion from the first Annual Zambrano Foundation's Democracy in The Americas Symposium featured
Moderator John Hart: Founder of Dialogues In Democracy Organization
Panelists included
Arch Puddington,Vice President of Research for Freedom House
Presentation Title: The State of Freedom in Latin America
Alexis Ortiz, ElPolitico.com
Presentation Title: La Integracion Continental Americana: Nuestro Desafio del Tercer Millenio
Juan Manuel De Las Casas, Venezuela - Universidad Catolica Andres Bello
Presentation Title: The Student's Movement as a Cornerstone of Democracy
Liz Alarcon, National Democratic Institute, Washington D.C.
Presentation Title: The Role of Today's Youth In Democracy
Welcome remarks by Zambrano Foundation CEO Margaret Delmont-Sanchez and Chairman Jose Zambrano kick off the Inaugural Democracy In The Americas Symposium held at the University of Miami on November 15-16, 2012.
On October 22nd, Clifford Brandt, a member of Haiti’s wealthy and powerful families was arrested at his place of business for an alleged kidnapping. Will justice be served in Haiti where the judicial system is broken?
[Air Date: 11/11/2012]
On October 22nd, Clifford Brandt, a member of Haiti’s wealthy and powerful families was arrested at his place of business for an alleged kidnapping. Will justice be served in Haiti where the judicial system is broken?
[Air Date: 11/11/2012]
Directed by Emmy award-winning filmmaker Joe Cardona, this new documentary offers a vibrant portrait of South Florida in the 1970s and 1980s. “El Open House is a story that brings all of our cultures together into an eclectic, unique blend. It’s a celebration of who we were, who we are and who we aspire to be” says Joe Cardona. The one-hour program explores the social, cultural and musical forces that shaped our region and created its distinct sound.
In the 1960s, Miami became home to thousands of Cuban exiles. As families began to settle in, the first generation of Cubans raised in Miami embraced their adopted culture without forgetting their customs and traditions.
Airs Thursday, October 25 at 8:00 & 10:00 p.m.
The Jewish Museum of Florida and Florida International University Judaic Studies Program presented a lecture about Vilna and its importance in Jewish history. Led by Professor Andrew Sloin, guests explored Vilna's vibrant and conflicted past and the challenges of remembering Jewish life in present day Vilnius.
August 15th marks the beginning of President Barack Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Plan. Patricia Elizee joins us to share how this program will impact Haitians.
[Air Date: 9/09/2012]
As Haiti is preparing for its upcoming senatorial and municipal elections, the country is facing a new crisis with the formation of its electoral board.
[Air Date: 9/09/2012]
Basic Services
The quality of community infrastructure, including highways, housing and healthcare
ABOUT Our Miami Project:
Our Miami is a project of The Miami Foundation developed in association with an important three-year study called Soul of the Community. Funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Soul of the Community surveyed residents of metropolitan Miami (and 25 other cities nationwide) to explore and understand what residents like most about where they live and which factors play the biggest roles in connecting people to their place.
To evaluate these qualities in greater depth, The Miami Foundation partnered with the Metropolitan Center at Florida International University. FIU gathered data in each category to better understand the degree of alignment and/or variance between Miamians perceptions and reality.
The Miami Foundation asked, “What can we do to make our place, our city more attractive to an increasingly mobile and global society?”
Armed with powerful new data, The Miami Foundation and its partners will use Our Miami to explore how Miamians can make improvements that will nurture a stronger sense of community and advance the quality of life for all area residents.
Our Miami coupled with the Beacon Council’s One Community | One Goal report augment years of national research that clearly shows attracting young, talented and creative people to your place will grow the economy faster than other more traditional measures of economic development and at the same time it fosters a deeper sense of community.
Social Capital
The strength of connections that citizens have to each other and to Miami, including membership in formal and informal groups and organizations
ABOUT Our Miami Project:
Our Miami is a project of The Miami Foundation developed in association with an important three-year study called Soul of the Community. Funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Soul of the Community surveyed residents of metropolitan Miami (and 25 other cities nationwide) to explore and understand what residents like most about where they live and which factors play the biggest roles in connecting people to their place.
To evaluate these qualities in greater depth, The Miami Foundation partnered with the Metropolitan Center at Florida International University. FIU gathered data in each category to better understand the degree of alignment and/or variance between Miamians perceptions and reality.
The Miami Foundation asked, “What can we do to make our place, our city more attractive to an increasingly mobile and global society?”
Armed with powerful new data, The Miami Foundation and its partners will use Our Miami to explore how Miamians can make improvements that will nurture a stronger sense of community and advance the quality of life for all area residents.
Our Miami coupled with the Beacon Council’s One Community | One Goal report augment years of national research that clearly shows attracting young, talented and creative people to your place will grow the economy faster than other more traditional measures of economic development and at the same time it fosters a deeper sense of community.
Openness
How welcoming Miami is toward families with young children, minorities and talented college graduates
ABOUT Our Miami Project:
Our Miami is a project of The Miami Foundation developed in association with an important three-year study called Soul of the Community. Funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Soul of the Community surveyed residents of metropolitan Miami (and 25 other cities nationwide) to explore and understand what residents like most about where they live and which factors play the biggest roles in connecting people to their place.
To evaluate these qualities in greater depth, The Miami Foundation partnered with the Metropolitan Center at Florida International University. FIU gathered data in each category to better understand the degree of alignment and/or variance between Miamians perceptions and reality.
The Miami Foundation asked, “What can we do to make our place, our city more attractive to an increasingly mobile and global society?”
Armed with powerful new data, The Miami Foundation and its partners will use Our Miami to explore how Miamians can make improvements that will nurture a stronger sense of community and advance the quality of life for all area residents.
Our Miami coupled with the Beacon Council’s One Community | One Goal report augment years of national research that clearly shows attracting young, talented and creative people to your place will grow the economy faster than other more traditional measures of economic development and at the same time it fosters a deeper sense of community.
Social Life
The availability of and accessibility to performing and visual arts performances and shows, sports teams, and other community events
ABOUT Our Miami Project:
Our Miami is a project of The Miami Foundation developed in association with an important three-year study called Soul of the Community. Funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Soul of the Community surveyed residents of metropolitan Miami (and 25 other cities nationwide) to explore and understand what residents like most about where they live and which factors play the biggest roles in connecting people to their place.
To evaluate these qualities in greater depth, The Miami Foundation partnered with the Metropolitan Center at Florida International University. FIU gathered data in each category to better understand the degree of alignment and/or variance between Miamians perceptions and reality.
The Miami Foundation asked, “What can we do to make our place, our city more attractive to an increasingly mobile and global society?”
Armed with powerful new data, The Miami Foundation and its partners will use Our Miami to explore how Miamians can make improvements that will nurture a stronger sense of community and advance the quality of life for all area residents.
Our Miami coupled with the Beacon Council’s One Community | One Goal report augment years of national research that clearly shows attracting young, talented and creative people to your place will grow the economy faster than other more traditional measures of economic development and at the same time it fosters a deeper sense of community.
Leadership
The ability, effectiveness and trust in leaders to represent and translate community interests into desired policies with public benefits
ABOUT Our Miami Project:
Our Miami is a project of The Miami Foundation developed in association with an important three-year study called Soul of the Community. Funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Soul of the Community surveyed residents of metropolitan Miami (and 25 other cities nationwide) to explore and understand what residents like most about where they live and which factors play the biggest roles in connecting people to their place.
To evaluate these qualities in greater depth, The Miami Foundation partnered with the Metropolitan Center at Florida International University. FIU gathered data in each category to better understand the degree of alignment and/or variance between Miamians perceptions and reality.
The Miami Foundation asked, “What can we do to make our place, our city more attractive to an increasingly mobile and global society?”
Armed with powerful new data, The Miami Foundation and its partners will use Our Miami to explore how Miamians can make improvements that will nurture a stronger sense of community and advance the quality of life for all area residents.
Our Miami coupled with the Beacon Council’s One Community | One Goal report augment years of national research that clearly shows attracting young, talented and creative people to your place will grow the economy faster than other more traditional measures of economic development and at the same time it fosters a deeper sense of community.
Safety
The factors that contribute to the safety of our community including community policing, county and municipal police and fire rescues, and neighborhood watch organizations
ABOUT Our Miami Project:
Our Miami is a project of The Miami Foundation developed in association with an important three-year study called Soul of the Community. Funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Soul of the Community surveyed residents of metropolitan Miami (and 25 other cities nationwide) to explore and understand what residents like most about where they live and which factors play the biggest roles in connecting people to their place.
To evaluate these qualities in greater depth, The Miami Foundation partnered with the Metropolitan Center at Florida International University. FIU gathered data in each category to better understand the degree of alignment and/or variance between Miamians perceptions and reality.
The Miami Foundation asked, “What can we do to make our place, our city more attractive to an increasingly mobile and global society?”
Armed with powerful new data, The Miami Foundation and its partners will use Our Miami to explore how Miamians can make improvements that will nurture a stronger sense of community and advance the quality of life for all area residents.
Our Miami coupled with the Beacon Council’s One Community | One Goal report augment years of national research that clearly shows attracting young, talented and creative people to your place will grow the economy faster than other more traditional measures of economic development and at the same time it fosters a deeper sense of community.
Community Involvement
The depth of volunteerism, voting and overall engagement in the community
ABOUT Our Miami Project:
Our Miami is a project of The Miami Foundation developed in association with an important three-year study called Soul of the Community. Funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Soul of the Community surveyed residents of metropolitan Miami (and 25 other cities nationwide) to explore and understand what residents like most about where they live and which factors play the biggest roles in connecting people to their place.
To evaluate these qualities in greater depth, The Miami Foundation partnered with the Metropolitan Center at Florida International University. FIU gathered data in each category to better understand the degree of alignment and/or variance between Miamians perceptions and reality.
The Miami Foundation asked, “What can we do to make our place, our city more attractive to an increasingly mobile and global society?”
Armed with powerful new data, The Miami Foundation and its partners will use Our Miami to explore how Miamians can make improvements that will nurture a stronger sense of community and advance the quality of life for all area residents.
Our Miami coupled with the Beacon Council’s One Community | One Goal report augment years of national research that clearly shows attracting young, talented and creative people to your place will grow the economy faster than other more traditional measures of economic development and at the same time it fosters a deeper sense of community.
Aesthetics
The physical beauty of Miami as well as access and availability to parks, playgrounds and green spaces
ABOUT Our Miami Project:
Our Miami is a project of The Miami Foundation developed in association with an important three-year study called Soul of the Community. Funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Soul of the Community surveyed residents of metropolitan Miami (and 25 other cities nationwide) to explore and understand what residents like most about where they live and which factors play the biggest roles in connecting people to their place.
To evaluate these qualities in greater depth, The Miami Foundation partnered with the Metropolitan Center at Florida International University. FIU gathered data in each category to better understand the degree of alignment and/or variance between Miamians perceptions and reality.
The Miami Foundation asked, “What can we do to make our place, our city more attractive to an increasingly mobile and global society?”
Armed with powerful new data, The Miami Foundation and its partners will use Our Miami to explore how Miamians can make improvements that will nurture a stronger sense of community and advance the quality of life for all area residents.
Our Miami coupled with the Beacon Council’s One Community | One Goal report augment years of national research that clearly shows attracting young, talented and creative people to your place will grow the economy faster than other more traditional measures of economic development and at the same time it fosters a deeper sense of community.
