Jews came to Brazil shortly
after the country's discovery
by the Portuguese in 1500. The
new immigrants were called
New Christians because they
were converted to Christianity,
under compulsion, in Portugal.
Many of them secretly re-
mained practicing Jews, and in
Brazil many of them openly re-
turned to their faith, built syna-
gogues and formed Jewish com-
munities.
The struggle for control of
Brazil between Holland, which
treated the Jews well, and Por-
tugal, where they were forced
into Catholicism, marked many
decades of serious troubles for
Jews. Their trials and tribula-
tions, and their strivings for an
independent Jewish existence,
are described in "Jews in Colo-
nial Brazil," by Dr. Arnold Wiz-
nitzer, published by Columbia
University Press.
Dr. Wiznitzer has made a
deep study of Jewish historical
data in Latin America. He is
Associate Research Professor of
Latin American Jewish History
at the University of Judaism,
Los Angeles, and is president
of the Brazilian Jewish Insti-
tute. of Historical Research, Rio
de Janeiro.
The background of Jewish
immigration to Brazil is ex-
plained by Dr. Wiznitzer in this
opening paragraph about the
forced conversion of 190,000
Portuguese Jews who formed a
fifth of the country's popula-
tion:
"Under the influence of
Torquemada, King Ferdinand
and Queen Isabella of Spain
used forceful measures to
free Spain of Jews who re-
fused to become converts to
Catholicism. Their objective
was accomplished by the Ex-
pulsion Edict of March 31,
1492. The Portuguese kings,
on the other hand, while they
wished to expel the Jews
from Portugal, were unwill-
ing to relinquish the benefits
accruing to them from the
wealth of the Jews and their
commercial a n d scientific
skills. The Portuguese Ex-
pulsion Edict, promulgated
by King Manuel I on Dec. 5,
1496, was in essence fraudu-
lent, since its aim was not
expulsion; it sought through
trickery and brute force to
drive to baptism all of the
approximately 190,000 Jews
then residing in POrtugal,
nearly 20 per cent of the
country's entire population."
An avenue of escape was
opened for Jews with the dis-
covery of Brazil. But persecu-
tions accompanied them, and
the "New Christians" and the
"Judaizers" were constantly
sought by religious bigots who
drove many of them to autos-
da-fe.
Nevertheless, those who
sought a return to Judaism car-
ried on their activities. In the
earliest years, a Scroll of the
Law was brought from Por-
tugal to Br azil and some
"brought small hidden mezuzot
as substitutes."
There was a high percentage
of Marranos among the white
inhabitants of Brazil. But dos-
siers studied .by Dr. Wiznitzer
show how the Marranos were
hounded by visitadors from the
Inquisition, how many of them
even had to find refuge in
Jesuit monasteries. The Mar-
ranos maintained relations with
Amsterdam Jewry, and the help
they often received from the
Dutch saved them in many
tragic situations.
A policy of religious tolera-
tion was proclaimed by the
Dutch when they gained
power in Brazil. Jews who
came from Holland were con-
Socialist International
May Meet in Israel
LONDON, (JTA) — The Bu-
reau of the Socialist Interna-
tional, in a gesture of friend-
ship to Israel, has decided . to
seek arrangements to hold the
next Council meeting in Israel.
The proposal was made in a
letter to the bureau from the
Ducht Labor Party. supported
by Hugh Gaitskell on behalf
of the British Labor Party, Guy
Monett for the French Social-
ists, and Erich 011enhauer for
the German Social Democratic
Pary. Representatives of the
Belgian and Austrian Socialists
also supported the idea. The
proposal calls for asking Dr. S.
Levenberg, of the Jewish
Agency here, to approach the
Mapai with the suggestion.
Albert Carthy, general secre-
tary of the Socialist Interna-
tional, is leaving on an exten-
sive tour of the Asian coun-
tries. He will spend a week
in Israel during his trip.
sidered D u t c h and were
treated with equality.
Dr. Wiznitzer points to many
instances of strict Jewish ob-
servances of the Sabbath and
holidays, and of Inquisitorial
searches for such evidences
when the Portuguese Catholics
came to power in Brazil.
One of the most dramatic of
the many anti-Jewish incidents
recorded in this interesting
book is that of Isaac de Castro,
WE KNOW the ehti•e Jewish
Brazilian Jewish martyr who community joins us in offering
was burned at the stake in spite best of wishes to Frank Simons
of efforts to save him.
on his new position aL admini-
While there were persecu- strative head of _emple Israel
H.E.0 Hla Maung, ambas-
tions, there were frequencies . . . As a "ten-year man" and
during which "the Jewish Na- city editor of The Jewish News, sador of Burma to Israel and
Madame Mating v i s i the
tion" was defended and the ac- Frank did a highly commend-
Syngalowski ORT Vocational
cusations against it denied by able job that will without doubt
Center near Tel Aviv. The
noble Christians. reflect in his newly chosen field Center was built by Women's
In the 250 years during of endeavor . . , The transition
American ORT (Organization
which the Inquisition raged f r o m newspaperman to the f o r Rehabilitation through
in Portugal, 25,000 were tried world. of administration is a
Training) and will accomo-
and nearly 1,500 were sen- rough challenge that few people date more than 3,000 when
tenced to death. Dr. Wiznitzer can make with success . . .
fully completed. Responsible I MUSIC! ENTERTAINMENT!
writes: "Br a zil had been Frank Simons is definitely one
for approximately half the
plagued by emissaries of the who can . . . Good luck, Frank!
Sammy Woolf
vocational education: in Israel,
Inquisition since 1591, but *
ORT
provides
the
State
with
And His Orchestra
BACK HOME hoarse from
with relatively mild results.
technicians for "export" to
UN 3-8982
UN
1
2953
A b out 400 Judaizers from much hollering, the three chair-
Burma and other young na-
UN 3-6501
Brazil were tried; most were men of the recent Detroit dele-
tions.
sentenced to prison, and 18 gation to the M'Alwes, City of
were condemned to death. Hope Conference in Chicago,
There is evidence that only Shirley Gordon. Beverly Bend-
one of them, Isaac de Castro, eroff and Lil Kozloff, literally
was burned alive." walked their way to the windy
RESTAURANT and DELICATESSEN
city . • - They stood all the way
QUANTITY PLUS QUANTITY
Dr. Wiznitzer's
historical
ac- on the train for over five hours
count
shows that: "Jose
de Car-
IN NORTHWOOD CENTER
Open Sunday and
WOODWARD at 13 Mile & Coolidge
Daily 8 am - 10 pm
valho e Mello, count of Oeiras • ' . 35 local delegates went
and marquis de Pombal (1699- to the convention.
1782), Portuguese Minister of
GAIL RUTH SOFFA, dough-
State, had the insight, courage,
and authority to persuade the ter o: Annette and Jerry Soffa,
king to decree that the classifi- was only nine months old when
cation of the Portuguese people she started talking, and now MARIA'S PIZZERIA
BANQUET FACILITIES
as Old Christians and New at the age of just over two her
Specializing
in
Pizza
Pie
and
Famous
Italian Foods
Christians be discontinued. This vocabulary includes memorizing
Parking Facilities . . . Carry-Out Service
law was signed by the king on the score of "My Square Lady,"
May 25, 1773. Jose de Carvalho presented a few months ago by 7101 PURITAN—Open 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.—UN 1-3929
e Mello was also responsible the Livonia Hadassah Drama
TR 2-8800
many other laws effecting Group . . . Gail's mother, An CLAM SHOP and BAR
nette, produced and directed the Serving. Oysters, Clams, LOBSTERS, Steaks and Assorted Sea Foods
reforms."
This law was supplemented show which is scheduled to be Music by Muzak
2675 E. GRAND BLVD.
by another, on Sept. 1, 1744, given again soon, starring Paula
Prime
Beef
at
its
Very
Best! Pies baked on prem-
for new procedures for Inquisi- Polan Roz Kellman and Honey
ises. Special Luncheons and Dinners. Menus changed
daily.
Open
11
a.m.-8
p.m.
tion courts, according to which Bittker.
*
sentences passed required the
19371 W. 8 Mile, 1 BIk. E. of Evergreen
JOE FELDMAN tells one of BEEF BUFFET
king's confirmation.
those stories about the smart
nights. Monday, Johnny Titus. Trio
During the period that fol- I young brother who always hung
Chicorels 7 Dancing 6 Don
Pablo (5 Nights)
lowed, Dr. Wiznitzer writes, around when his pretty young
Dinners 5 p.m. Banquet Parties to 100.
Kenwood
"the Inquisition left the New sister wanted to pitch a little
Free Parking — OPEN SUNDAYS
Christians in peace and began woo with her boy friend . , . To
KE. 7-7377
FENKELL COR. TELEGRAPH
to persecute new victims, prin- get rid of him one afternoon
cipally, the philosophers and the boy friend sugges,t I, "Why
Freemasons who made their ap- don't you go down to the street,
pearance everywhere during the Willie, and count the men who
• Prime Beef • Shrimp •• Lobster • Delmonico Steak • Chicken
UN 4-7897
13300 W. 7 M.LE cor. LITTLEFIELD
era of Enlightenment. They are wearing red hats. I'll give
& SUN. to 9 P.M.
OPEN DAILY 11 8:30 P.M.; SAT
were now considered the true you a quarter for every one that
RESERVATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR
STAGS, BANQUETS and MEETINGS
heretics. No longer subject to goes by" , . To the surprise of
persecution, and partly as a re- both lovebirds, Willie, usually
Fin American & litalian Food
Open daily 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m.
sult of numerous mixed mar- very cagey, fell in with the sug-
CLOSED SUNDAYS
riages, the Marranos in Brazil gestion . . . Fifteen minutes
COCKTAIL BAR
Banquet room available
became more and more assimil- later, however, they heard his
17632 WOODWARD — North of 6 Mile
TO 9-3988
ated into the country's domin- triumphant voice from below
ant religion, Catholicism, until . . . "I lon't know how you two
they. formed an inseparable are doing up there." he hol-
29501 NORTHWESTERN HWY bet. 12 & 13 Mile
part of Brazil's population. Pro- lered, "but my ship is about to
Open Daily 9 A.M. . 9 P.M. Closed Mondays
fessing Jews began to immi- come in. Here comes the
Serving Chicken & Turkey Luncheon and Dinner
CARRY OUT SERVICE — PRIVATE ROOM AVAILABLE
grate only after 1822, when the Shriners' parade!"
EL 6-9222
SQUARE DANCE PARTIES
*
country separated from Portu- 1
Lavish SMORGASBORD with finest mar-
gal and became independent. I MANY PEOPLE in show busi-
11I
and smoked fish, dozens of hot and
They entered gradually, slowly ness shorten their names even
cold dishes. Complete Continental Kitchen
chops, lobsters, duck, etc. Beautiful private dining rooms for
building the foundation of more than they do their noses —steaks,
parties. Home and business catering. Lunch from $L25. Dinner from $2.95.
Brazil's present Jewish corn- because it's easier to get on a FREE PARKING 1014 E. JEFFERSON WO 2-1042
munity." marquee . , . Red Buttons was
3020 GRANT./ RIVER Free Parking. TE 3-0700. Pri-
Dr. Wiznitzer's "Jews in Colo- Aaron Chwatt, Vic Damone was
vate Banquet Rooms for wedding parties. Serving
the World's Finest Steaks, Chops and Sea Foods for
nial Brazil" is a most enlight- Vito Farinola, Milton Berle was
more than 26 years. All Beef aged in our cellars.
ening book. The Personalia sup- Milton Berlinger, Robert Alda
plement to the text - and the was Al D'Abruzzio, and Irving CHOP HOUSE
numerous details about many Gray, the producer, was Irving ROBIN HOOD'S serving the finest and most delicious of foods, Steaks,
of the martyrs add to its merits. Ginsberg . . . When a nephew. Chops, Chicken Club Sc.ndwiches. Short Orders. Delicious Hamburgers.
who hadn't seen him in years, "Served as you like it."
•
School Named after Anne
wanted to communicate with 20176 LIVERNOIS AVE., 1 1 /2 blks. S. 8 Mile Rd.
Open 24 Hours
Frank Opened by Jewish
him, he sent a letter addressed
Women in Mexico.
•
20600
PLYMOUTH,
to Irving Grey, c/o NBC . . .
1 Mi. E. of Telegraph
MEXICO CITY, (JTA)—Rep- Irving finally received the letter
Open 7 Days A Week
resentatives of the Ministry of after it had been shunted around
Luncheons — Dinners — Cocktails
Education, senior government a bit, and sent him an answer
Dancing, Entertainment
officials and representatives of by return mail ... It said. "Dear
Beautiful Banquet Room, accommodating up to 400 Guests
leading Jewish organizations at- Nephew, I received your letter.
FOR RESERVATIONS: BR 2-3040
tended the dedication cere- I would have gotten it more
monies of the Anne Frank quickly except for the way you
The Cundari reach the finest
cuisine in a continental back-
School, built with the aid of addressed it. Ginsberg is spelled
ground with a choice of Amer-
funds contributed by the Worn- G-R-A-Y, not G-R-E-Y."
ican and European specialties.
en's Division of the Central
Luncheon 11 o..m-3 p.m.; Din.
Jewish Committee. The school,
A person with charm is one
ners 6-10 p.m. After-Theatre
equipped by the women's who can make another feel that
Snacks 'till 4 a.m.
group, can accommodate 300 both of them are pretty wonder-
20021 W. McNichols cor. Evergreen — For Reservations — KE 3-2766
pupils. ful people.
-
PERRI'S
WHERE TO DINE
,
DUBBS BEEF BUFFET
Paradiso Cafe
McINERNEY'S FARM and OW CIDER MILL
Stockhol
CARL'S
23 - THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS — Fri day, July 8, 1960
Dr. Wiznitzer's Historical Records
Danny Raskin's Burma Ambassador
Visits Israel's ORT
Reveal Struggles of Brazilian Jewry
LISTENING
Against Martyrdom from Inquisition