Showing results for "sephardic" in History

In 1654, 23 Jewish families arrived in New Amsterdam (now New York) aboard a French privateer. They were the Sephardim, members of a proud orthodox sect that had served as royal advisors and honored professionals under Moorish rule in Spain and Portugal but were then exiled by intolerant monarchs. A small, closed, and intensely private community, the Sephardim soon established themselves as businessmen and financiers. They became powerful forces in society, with some, like banker Haym Salomon, even providing financial support to George Washington's army during the American Revolution.

Discover the little-known history of Nelly Benatar, Morocco's first female attorney, who transformed bureaucratic red tape into life-saving magic during World War II's darkest hours. Beyond the familiar backdrop of the film Casablanca, follow one extraordinary woman's courageous journey from wartime rescue missions to post-war humanitarian work, confronting issues of refugees, immigration, and identity that remain relevant today.