(NOT UPDATED SINCE 2022. PLEASE CONSULT "THE PORTUGUESE JEWISH NEWS")
The Jewish Community of Oporto includes about 1000 Jews originally from more than thirty countries and gathers around the same table all standards and degrees of observance of Judaism. Furthermore, the Community strives to welcome foreign Jewish students enrolled at the universities of Oporto, including them in community activities and creating meeting centres for them.
With a century of legal existence, CIP/CJP is a religious, cultural and charitable organization that seeks to honour the city’s past Jewish community which disappeared with the expulsion edict of D. Manuel at the end of the 15th century. The Community (CIP/CJP) does not exist to please everyone but rather to honour the Jewish community that was expelled from this city, and to be a strong religious, cultural and social organisation in Portugal and abroad.
The Jewish Community of Oporto serves Jews and non Jews, the young, the old, the tourists and the deceased. It offers courses to school teachers to combat antisemitism, and has a Holocaust Museum, a Jewish museum, a Jewish cinema, films about its history and cooperation protocols with relevant institutions.
Currently, more than 500 years after the Jewish synagogues and cemetery were destroyed and the houses of the Jewish people looted, the Jewish Community of Oporto flourishes once again. Anyway, as the history of the Jews in Europe has taught us that where there are many Jews today, there may be none tomorrow, the laws of the community establish that should it end one day, its properties and assets shall revert to the Jewish Agency.
The mission of the Jewish Museum of Oporto is to inform about the historic and cultural importance of the Jews in Portugal and of Portuguese Jews worldwide, with particular emphasis on the Diaspora of Sephardic Portuguese Jews and the history of the Jewish community in Oporto that is older than the foundation of Portugal. The Edict of Expulsion (1496) and the Inquisition (1536-1821) extinguished the Jewish community of Oporto.
The return of the Jews to this city occurred in the 19th century, a few years prior to the official abolition of the Inquisition in 1821. These were Sephardic Jews who came from Morocco, Gibraltar, Venice, London, Marseille, Lisbon, the islands of São Miguel and Terceira in the Azores, and elsewhere.
By the end of the 19th century, there are few Sephardic Jews living in Oporto. The Jewish community is mainly Ashkenazi now, particularly from Germany. It grew considerably during and immediately after the First World War, with the coming of Jews from Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Poland and Lithuania. Throughout the 20th century the community was essentially Ashkenazi, but between 1927 and 1934 there was a courageous attempt by the only Portuguese Jew in the community - Captain Barros Basto - to attract to Judaism the Marranos. So much effort did not result in a single official Jew. (The last Portuguese Marranos lived in the village of Belmonte.)
Currently, the Jewish community of Oporto is essentially composed of Sephardic families who for centuries lived in Balkan, Arab or Muslim countries.
The return of the Jews to this city occurred in the 19th century, a few years prior to the official abolition of the Inquisition in 1821. These were Sephardic Jews who came from Morocco, Gibraltar, Venice, London, Marseille, Lisbon, the islands of São Miguel and Terceira in the Azores, and elsewhere.
By the end of the 19th century, there are few Sephardic Jews living in Oporto. The Jewish community is mainly Ashkenazi now, particularly from Germany. It grew considerably during and immediately after the First World War, with the coming of Jews from Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Poland and Lithuania. Throughout the 20th century the community was essentially Ashkenazi, but between 1927 and 1934 there was a courageous attempt by the only Portuguese Jew in the community - Captain Barros Basto - to attract to Judaism the Marranos. So much effort did not result in a single official Jew. (The last Portuguese Marranos lived in the village of Belmonte.)
Currently, the Jewish community of Oporto is essentially composed of Sephardic families who for centuries lived in Balkan, Arab or Muslim countries.
The Jewish Museum of Oporto is one of the few Jewish museums in the world that is run by a Jewish community. It was built in a few months. The ethical dimension is more important than the aesthetic dimension.
Holocaust Museum of Oporto (link)
In cooperation with B'nai B'rith International and Holocaust museums around the world (Moscow, Hong Kong, United States of America, Europe, etc.), the Holocaust Museum in Oporto, Portugal is led by members of the Jewish community of the city who were affected by that catastrophe and know both its historical importance and its tremendous educational significance. The Museum portrays Jewish life before the Holocaust, Nazism, Nazi expansion in Europe, the ghettos, refugees, concentration, labour and extermination camps, the Final Solution, the death marches, liberation, the Jewish population in the post-war period, the foundation of the State of Israel, winning or dying of hunger, the Righteous among Nations. Visitors will have the opportunity to visit the reproduction of the Auschwitz dormitories, as well as a name room, a flame memorial, cinema, conference room, study centre, corridors with the complete narrative and, in the image of the Washington Holocaust Museum, photographs and screens showing real footage of before, during and after the tragedy. The Museum shows archives relating to refugees who passed through the city of Oporto, including official documents, testimonies, letters and hundreds of individual files. Two Sifrei Torah (rolls of the Torah) offered to the synagogue in Porto by refugees who had arrived in the city with their lives undone are also on display at the Museum.
In cooperation with B'nai B'rith International and Holocaust museums around the world (Moscow, Hong Kong, United States of America, Europe, etc.), the Holocaust Museum in Oporto, Portugal is led by members of the Jewish community of the city who were affected by that catastrophe and know both its historical importance and its tremendous educational significance. The Museum portrays Jewish life before the Holocaust, Nazism, Nazi expansion in Europe, the ghettos, refugees, concentration, labour and extermination camps, the Final Solution, the death marches, liberation, the Jewish population in the post-war period, the foundation of the State of Israel, winning or dying of hunger, the Righteous among Nations. Visitors will have the opportunity to visit the reproduction of the Auschwitz dormitories, as well as a name room, a flame memorial, cinema, conference room, study centre, corridors with the complete narrative and, in the image of the Washington Holocaust Museum, photographs and screens showing real footage of before, during and after the tragedy. The Museum shows archives relating to refugees who passed through the city of Oporto, including official documents, testimonies, letters and hundreds of individual files. Two Sifrei Torah (rolls of the Torah) offered to the synagogue in Porto by refugees who had arrived in the city with their lives undone are also on display at the Museum.
It is important to honour the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and share with society at large all the documents and objects left by the refugees at Oporto Synagogue during the Second World War.
- The new Holocaust Museum will be part of the strategy of the Jewish community of Oporto, which each year organises courses for teachers at the Jewish Museum of Oporto, school visits to the Kadoorie Synagogue, and it has also produced four historical films within the scope of an interreligious project with Oporto Diocese.
- The new Holocaust Museum will be part of the strategy of the Jewish community of Oporto, which each year organises courses for teachers at the Jewish Museum of Oporto, school visits to the Kadoorie Synagogue, and it has also produced four historical films within the scope of an interreligious project with Oporto Diocese.
Antisemitism in Europe
Before the Second World War, an estimated 9.5 million Jewish people lived in Europe. Nowadays, the Jewish population in the EU is estimated to be up to 1.5 million people. In recent years, the Jewish population in the EU has been declining, due in large part to migration to outside of the EU. This is linked to several factors, in particular to security concerns, as well as to the perceived lack of determination of some governments to address antisemitism. 
The steps taken by the USSR to close the synagogues in Lvov, Jarkov, Tshernovitz, Bobruisk, Smolensk and hundreds of other Jewish temples throughout that great empire, are being revived in several cities today. The synagogues were not closed all at the same time, but one by one, always in the same way. The steps included (i) using the press and (ii) slanderers to (iii) link the synagogues to illegal deals, followed by (iv) the aggrieved some reaction of public opinion, including some straw Jews, and finally (v) leading to the closure of the synagogues and the corresponding Jewish organisations, which then lacked the conditions needed to promote Jewish life. (Ari Benami, "Between Hammer and Sickle, The problem of Jews in the Soviet Union")
Contemporary antisemitism can be found in radical and fringe groups espousing right-wing, left-wing or Islamist extremism, it can hide behind anti-Zionism, but it can also be found in the centre of society. The Covid-19 pandemic has shown how old antisemitic prejudices can resurge and fuel new conspiracy myths and hatred online and offline. Jewish people have been unjustifiably blamed for creating the virus and for developing vaccines to make a profit. 
Given the advance of antisemitism and the historical lesson that violence will break out sooner or later, it is necessary to prevent political extremists, religious extremists and antisemites from all walks of life (even mere gossips and slanderers) from getting to know the faces and lives of the overwhelming majority of Jewish community members. With the exception of institutional representatives, no one else should be exposed.
Jews are often excluded from the minorities to be protected. Jews don’t count. They are off the political agenda in many countries, as they are seen as plutocrats of an obscurantist religion and culture with their own state in Israel. The Holocaust itself has been instrumentalized mainly to combat discrimination in general. Nazism also persecuted other minorities, but it just feared the Jewish culture that was 3,000 years old and present on all continents. The Jews were considered as the greatest threat to the ‘Master Race.’ Hatred of Jews extended far beyond the territories occupied by Germany.
Jews are often excluded from the minorities to be protected. Jews don’t count. They are off the political agenda in many countries, as they are seen as plutocrats of an obscurantist religion and culture with their own state in Israel. The Holocaust itself has been instrumentalized mainly to combat discrimination in general. Nazism also persecuted other minorities, but it just feared the Jewish culture that was 3,000 years old and present on all continents. The Jews were considered as the greatest threat to the ‘Master Race.’ Hatred of Jews extended far beyond the territories occupied by Germany.
Jewish and Holocaust Museums of Oporto Fight Antisemitism in Europe
The Jewish Museum of Oporto has signed a cooperation protocol with the Holocaust Museum of the city to combat antisemitism in Europe. Oporto is one of Europe's oldest tourist destinations and before the pandemic it received annually hundreds of thousands of European tourists. The Museums organise pedagogical training programs that provide information to secondary school teachers and others in civil society on themes related to Judaism, the history of the Jews and the Holocaust. Charles Kaufman, President of B'nai B'rith International stated that: "For the growing Jewish community of Portugal, we urge you to teach future generations the glory of our past and the Holocaust as they repel attempts to disparage us in the future. May the Museums serve as a beacon of light for all of Portugal and the rest of Europe. Yasher koach (May your strength be firm)."
Jonathan Greenblatt, the National Director of ADL, said "The Jewish museum will add to the respect and admiration many have for the Jewish people and the Holocaust museum will impart the lessons that all must heed: Don’t be silent in the face of evil. The more people know about the Jewish people, the less susceptible they are to hateful conspiracy theories and malign stereotypes."
Jewish Museum of Oporto dedicates a room to the Entebbe operation (link)
The Jewish museum inaugurated a room dedicated to the Entebbe operation, with the aim of bringing young Jews closer to Israel, whether they belong to the local Jewish community or they simply visit the city throughout the year.
The room that has just opened is dedicated to young Jews who have no awareness of the many counter-terrorist actions that the IDF and Mossad have faced in the past and certainly are prepared to face in the future as well.
The idea of building a room dedicated to the Entebbe operation came from an event that brought together young Jewish leaders of various nationalities in Oporto last June. The young people's main concern was whether Israel could stop a new Holocaust in any country in the world, to which the Israeli ambassador, president and CEO of B'nai B'rith International, present at the event, clearly replied that they could.
The Jewish museum inaugurated a room dedicated to the Entebbe operation, with the aim of bringing young Jews closer to Israel, whether they belong to the local Jewish community or they simply visit the city throughout the year.
The room that has just opened is dedicated to young Jews who have no awareness of the many counter-terrorist actions that the IDF and Mossad have faced in the past and certainly are prepared to face in the future as well.
The idea of building a room dedicated to the Entebbe operation came from an event that brought together young Jewish leaders of various nationalities in Oporto last June. The young people's main concern was whether Israel could stop a new Holocaust in any country in the world, to which the Israeli ambassador, president and CEO of B'nai B'rith International, present at the event, clearly replied that they could.
Global Project in the Fields of Culture and Religion
The Jewish Community of Oporto (CIP/CJP) is not only a Jewish community but also an organization with cultural and interfaith objectives particularly in the fight against intolerance. Social, cultural and other dialogue is necessary to achieve full tolerance between the Roman Catholic Church and Jewish communities, particularly in societies in which negative stereotypes are entrenched, ignoring for example the fact that many Jews struggle financially.
The films mentioned above contain no melodramatic sensationalism, and the scripts and rough cuts having been shown beforehand to the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oporto. Pope Francis wrote a letter to the Jewish community about the film “The Nun’s Kaddish”, saying that he, “Calls down divine favours in abundance on all those directly or indirectly involved and represented in carrying out this film, that they may be the leaven of fraternity, hope and joy in the heart of the world, and wishes everyone the greatest happiness with God’s blessings.” Although the films were released commercially, the aim of culture and interfaith is not profit and the revenue from films in Portugal will go to social causes. CIP/CJP and its international partners do not comment on production costs and disassociate ourselves from rumours on this topic. 
One of the Achdut Centres of the Jewish community of Oporto is dedicated to youth, mainly foreign students who have decided to pursue their long university career in this city. The students feel that they have a home where there are regular Torah lessons, events, and a meeting place. This Achdut Centre is run by members of the Jewish Community of Oporto, .
There is another Achdut Centre of the Jewish community of Oporto – similar to Lisbon community’s "Maccabi Country Club" – has an area of twenty thousand square metres and a river beach. It is used for events with international Jewish organisations and meetings between young Jews of this community and many other countries. The aim is to create friendships that might in the future lead to Jewish marriages and lives lived under Jewish values. As the Community acquired the space at below market value, it may be repurchased at that value plus the cost of any improvements made, by the former owner, a member of the community, who has already indicated that this is his intention.
Michael Kadoorie’s message to the Community
"From afar, the development of your community has bought pride and honour to our family. The temporal and spiritual leadership in your community are energetic sources of inspiration. The Kadoorie Synagogue is an embodiment of our ancient family tradition to derive satisfaction from sustainable charitable works and to provide practical assistance to those most in need.
Message from the President of the Portuguese RepublicMore than five centuries after a Portuguese head of State visited the Jewish community of Oporto, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa not only visited the Oporto synagogue, but also participated in the prayers of Kabbalat Shabbat and Arbit, along with 220 members of the community, young and old, men and women, and many children. The vast majority of the community members did not know that the President would be in the synagogue, so it was a wonderful surprise to them. He declared for posterity that "On behalf of Portugal and the Portuguese I thank the Jewish community for a whole history of dedication to our common Homeland." (Photograph kindly given by photographer)
Message from the Pope Francis
Letter from the Vatican:
Oporto Community and Keren Hayesod
The Community is a partner of Keren Hayesod for the physical and social development of the Negev and sparsely populated areas of Galilee; in Youth Futures project which provides 14,000 children at-risk (ages 6 - 13) with interventions that will enable them to take their place as independent, productive members of society; to promote and prepare for Aliyah to Israel;
for smooth and successful integration of immigrants into Israeli society; to get young Jews from the Diaspora to visit Israel and stay there for six months to a year to create ties with the country; to give young people from the periphery of Israel the technological education they need to succeed in life; to support Israeli soldiers who are without their families in Israel; to provide a home for children at social risk; a programme to give children at social risk the possibility of learning music and being part of an orchestra; and to help older adults, preventing senior hunger and malnutrition, providing healthcare needs, etc. Oporto Community and Chabad Lubavitch
The Jewish Community of Oporto, though essentially Sephardic, works closely with Chabad Lubavitch in 14 countries around the world.
Chabad-Lubavitch is the most dynamic force in Jewish life of the Diaspora. It is a philosophy, a movement, and an organization with over 4,500 full-time emissary families who lead institutions dedicated to the welfare of the Jewish people worldwide.Chabad is one of the world's best-known Hasidic movements, particularly for its outreach activities. It is one of the largest Hasidic groups and Jewish religious organizations in the world. The Chabad representative in Portugal is Rabbi Ely Rosenfeld.
Kosher Port Wine Room
One of the most beautiful rooms of the Jewish Museum of Oporto is the Port Wine Room. Around the world, Port wine is a brand of the city. The Jewish Community of Oporto is also a brand of the city. The history of the community is very old, older than the foundation of Portugal and is thought to date back to the time of the Roman Empire.
Although Port wine as we now know it occurred much later, grapes have been grown in Portugal since antiquity. The Romans, who arrived in Portugal in the second century BC and remained for over five hundred years, grew vines and made wine on the banks of the Douro River where Port is produced today. The wine-producing Douro region is the third oldest protected wine region in the world. Port wine is typically a sweet red wine, often served as a dessert wine.
Protocol with the Historical Society of the Independence of Portugal
A protocol of friendship and cooperation was established between the Historical Society of the Independence of Portugal and the Jewish Community of Oporto. The Protocol evokes the participation of Jewish communities in the formation and development of the Nation" and "the symbolism of the closeness and friendship that was established between King Afonso Henriques (the first king of Portugal) and Yahia Ben Yaish who would become the first Chief Rabbi of the country, held high positions in the administration of the Kingdom and even fought alongside and in the service of the King. The two institutions undertook to hold Annual Meetings, rotating between Lisbon and Oporto, to address a topic of public relevance and common interest. The President of the Board, Dr. José Ribeiro e Castro, and the Vice-President of the Board, Professor Ana Leal de Faria, signed on behalf of the Historical Society of the Independence of Portugal. In Oporto, the Vice-President, Dra. Isabel Ferreira Lopes, and the Chief Rabbi, Daniel Litvak, signed the Protocol on behalf of the Jewish Community of Oporto.
Registered statutory purposeOne of the most beautiful rooms of the Jewish Museum of Oporto is the Port Wine Room. Around the world, Port wine is a brand of the city. The Jewish Community of Oporto is also a brand of the city. The history of the community is very old, older than the foundation of Portugal and is thought to date back to the time of the Roman Empire.
Although Port wine as we now know it occurred much later, grapes have been grown in Portugal since antiquity. The Romans, who arrived in Portugal in the second century BC and remained for over five hundred years, grew vines and made wine on the banks of the Douro River where Port is produced today. The wine-producing Douro region is the third oldest protected wine region in the world. Port wine is typically a sweet red wine, often served as a dessert wine.
Protocol with the Historical Society of the Independence of Portugal
A protocol of friendship and cooperation was established between the Historical Society of the Independence of Portugal and the Jewish Community of Oporto. The Protocol evokes the participation of Jewish communities in the formation and development of the Nation" and "the symbolism of the closeness and friendship that was established between King Afonso Henriques (the first king of Portugal) and Yahia Ben Yaish who would become the first Chief Rabbi of the country, held high positions in the administration of the Kingdom and even fought alongside and in the service of the King. The two institutions undertook to hold Annual Meetings, rotating between Lisbon and Oporto, to address a topic of public relevance and common interest. The President of the Board, Dr. José Ribeiro e Castro, and the Vice-President of the Board, Professor Ana Leal de Faria, signed on behalf of the Historical Society of the Independence of Portugal. In Oporto, the Vice-President, Dra. Isabel Ferreira Lopes, and the Chief Rabbi, Daniel Litvak, signed the Protocol on behalf of the Jewish Community of Oporto.
To disseminate and strengthen Jewish culture and history in Portugal, and dispel prejudices against Jews, the organization keeps a functioning a Jewish Museum and a Holocaust Museum, hosts schools, visitors and tourists, and encourages cultural and historical content through books, pamphlets, films, concerts, and others means.To support the creation and development of Jewish life and religion, the Board of Directors gives its full support to the synagogue leaders (the Rabbis) to foster the practice of Judaism, creation of a kosher structures in the city, and ensure the proper functioning of the departments that manage the synagogue, kashrut, mikveh, Beit Midrash, the cemetery, the reception of Jews newcomers to the city, etc.
In order to promote a better, fairer and more equitable world, the organization practices acts of kindness (chessed) in Portugal and abroad, namely by helping children, the poor, the elderly, the sick, the disabled, hospitals and animal welfare associations.
Revere the Creator, respect His greatness, defend life, promote the sanctity of sexuality, honour the property and the rights of others, protect animals, foster Justice.
"Those who fulfil the Seven Laws of Noah to serve G-d are Righteous Among Nations and will have their part in the World to Come." - Moses Maimonides (1135-1204).
Friendship and Cooperation Protocol with the Catholic Church of Oporto
Whereas the Catholic and Jewish Communities of Oporto cohabited peacefully, even before the foundation of Portugal, and currently enjoy excellent relations, the Catholic Church of Oporto, represented by its Bishop, Manuel Linda, and the Jewish Community of Oporto, represented by its President, Dias Zion, and its Rabbi, Daniel Litvak, have established this Protocol subject to the following articles.
Article 1 - As of this date (17.09.2018), the Jewish and Catholic Communities of Oporto will cooperate in social and philanthropic endeavours, striving to organize and cooperate in joint charitable works, so as to bestow a Life with dignity on many of those shackled by poverty, lethal vice, or moral desolation.
Article 2 - The leaders of the Jewish and Catholic Communities will meet regularly to bolster their good relations, mutual respect and friendship, and undertake to lead their members to respect differences, and enjoy mutual friendship and cooperation.
Friendship and Cooperation Protocol with the Islamic Community of Oporto
Whereas relations between Jews and Muslims, which thrived during centuries, have endured extremely negative episodes in many places during the last decades, which is deeply to be lamented, the Boards od Directors of the Jewish Community of Oporto and the Islamic Community of Oporto have agreed on the following Memorandum:
"Whereas it is often better and more effective to create and extend local bonds of peace, so that they can spread from one place to another, than to try to achieve world peace through international forums and much less through the massive propaganda of agnostic belief, today (30.09.2016) the leaders of the Jewish and Islamic Communities affirm this Memorandum of Friendship and Cooperation and they will meet regularly to bolster their good relations, and undertake to lead their members to enjoy mutual friendship and cooperation in different areas."
Oporto Beth Din (OBD)
Article 2 - The leaders of the Jewish and Catholic Communities will meet regularly to bolster their good relations, mutual respect and friendship, and undertake to lead their members to respect differences, and enjoy mutual friendship and cooperation.
Friendship and Cooperation Protocol with the Islamic Community of Oporto
Whereas relations between Jews and Muslims, which thrived during centuries, have endured extremely negative episodes in many places during the last decades, which is deeply to be lamented, the Boards od Directors of the Jewish Community of Oporto and the Islamic Community of Oporto have agreed on the following Memorandum:
The Oporto Beth Din provides a central religious authority within the Jewish Community of Oporto dealing with responsa to Halachic enquiries from communal bodies affecting Synagogal matters – collectively or individually, personal status and regularisation of status, marriage authorisations (verifying that the prospective marriage does not contravene the Halachah), gittin (effecting the issuance of a get from the husband to the wife in
Kashrut in Oporto
The Jewish Community of Oporto is able to provide members of the Community and Jewish visitors or tourists with various options in terms of kashrut.
Kosher mikveh
The new mikveh of the community, inaugurated in 2015, may only be used in accordance with the following rules: 1) Under the supervision of Oporto Rabbinate, the mikveh may be used only for halakhic purposes. Any matters related to family purity or tevilah should be directed to the Rabbis. 2) During the night, the mikveh may only be used by women. 3) Men should use the mikveh during the day.
4) Women who wish to use the mikveh must be accompanied by the community balanit, who must be contacted at least 24 hours in advance. 5) Men who wish to use the mikveh must make this wish known to the community at least 24 hours in advance. 6) The use of mikveh is free for members of the Jewish Community of Oporto. Non-members of the community must pay a fee to use the mikveh. 7) Submerging utensils can be carried out free of charge by arrangement with the community shamash and under his supervision. A tour of the mikvah is available on request. Balanit contact: mikvah.porto@gmail.com.
Jewish Education Centre
The Jewish Education Centre is an institute created by the cultural department of the Porto Jewish Community.
Its mission is to provide courses for professional development of teachers in Portuguese secondary schools. With the help of the Ministry of Education, courses are given in the facilities of the Mekor Haim synagogue and the Museum and Cinema of the Oporto Jewish Community. The subjects of the course include the history of the Jewish People, Jewish identity, the Holocaust, anti-Semitism, and the stigma of collective guilt. Teachers of the course will include people from a wide range of nationalities and backgrounds.
The Jewish Education Centre is an institute created by the cultural department of the Porto Jewish Community.
Its mission is to provide courses for professional development of teachers in Portuguese secondary schools. With the help of the Ministry of Education, courses are given in the facilities of the Mekor Haim synagogue and the Museum and Cinema of the Oporto Jewish Community. The subjects of the course include the history of the Jewish People, Jewish identity, the Holocaust, anti-Semitism, and the stigma of collective guilt. Teachers of the course will include people from a wide range of nationalities and backgrounds.
Legal and Security department
The Community has a specialised legal department to prosecute any criminals who may harm the community in Portugal and any country in the world. Some Law Offices which work with the Community in Portugal:
The Community has a specialised legal department to prosecute any criminals who may harm the community in Portugal and any country in the world. Some Law Offices which work with the Community in Portugal:
– PLMJ – Sociedade de Advogados, RL
– Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados
– Oehen Mendes - Yolanda Busse, Oehen Mendes & Associados
– Mónica João Teixeira and Carla Quaresma - Sociedade de Advogados
– Campos Pereira, Pedro Alhinho, Leopoldo Carvalhais, Cãndida Mesquita & Associados - Sociedade de Advogados
– Rui Silva Leal and Mónica Quintela - Advogados
The Community hired the best Law Offices in Portugal and has criminal defense lawyers in Jerusalem, New York, London, Amsterdam, etc., to prosecute criminals in general and also corrupt journalists who may harm the community in any country in the world. Journalism has been progressively diverging from its ethical and social aims, with “journalists" committing outrageous deeds to receive illicit compensation.
Jewish Organisation (CIP/CJP)
The Jewish Community of Oporto (Comunidade Israelita do Porto/Comunidade Judaica do Porto) aims to support the creation and development of Jewish life and religion, strengthen and disseminate Jewish culture and history, but also foster peace and the security of the Jewish people in general, provide moral and material assistance to Jewish people and Jewish organizations, and promote a better, fairer and more equitable world.
- The community, in its religious dimension (tefilot, kashrut, mikvaot, Jewish certification to be part of the community, sephardic certification, chevra kadisha, cemetery, etc.) are the Rabbis and their assistants.
- The organization, in its cultural dimension (Jewish museum, Holocaust museum, films, interfaith, mazal news, etc.) are members of the Board and their assistants. Each department has its own management.
The mission of the Jewish Community of Oporto is something of such magnitude that requires a team of people working all day, every day in many countries at the same time.
The decisions of the Board of Directors are recorded in books of legal minutes serving as a register for posterity and are taken and signed by the majority of its members. The Board is composed of seven permanent members and four support members, who are chosen every three years.
The President and Vice-Presidents of the Board represent the institution in official acts such as the reception of politicians or ambassadors. The institutional representation is done also by the Rabbis in case of a reception of religious leaders.
The CIP / CJP executives must implement the policies decided at the meetings of the Board of Directors as recorded in the minutes of these meetings. They are not permitted either to interfere in religious matters, or to officially represent the organization, or to have access to its financial resources or the press.
The accounts/finances are managed by a Vice President, the treasurer and two teams of professional accountants, one of them providing technical support to the Supervisory Board. The finance department is led by ladies.
The Supervisory Board oversees the legality of the organization’ actions. Its President and the leader of the General Assembly follow up communications, meetings and minutes of the Board and can make suggestions whenever they wish.
The Centre for Historic Research
The Centre for Historic Research (CIPH) of the Jewish Community of Oporto, created in 2015, seeks to reconstruct the entire history of the organisation from its foundation in 1923 to the present day, together with the Jewish presence in the city in previous centuries, putting an end to colourful myths that for decades have been part of the collective imagination.
The CIPH is composed of members of the Jewish community, historians, museologists and diverse personalities, and is responsible for the production of written and audio-visual content on the history of the Jewish community in Oporto, using as historical sources the records available in the archives of the Kadoorie Mekor Haim synagogue, the archives of the old members from the community, publications in public and private libraries and memories and credible testimonies from people with direct knowledge of the facts.
The President and Vice-Presidents of the Board represent the institution in official acts such as the reception of politicians or ambassadors. The institutional representation is done also by the Rabbis in case of a reception of religious leaders.
The CIP / CJP executives must implement the policies decided at the meetings of the Board of Directors as recorded in the minutes of these meetings. They are not permitted either to interfere in religious matters, or to officially represent the organization, or to have access to its financial resources or the press.
The accounts/finances are managed by a Vice President, the treasurer and two teams of professional accountants, one of them providing technical support to the Supervisory Board. The finance department is led by ladies.
The Supervisory Board oversees the legality of the organization’ actions. Its President and the leader of the General Assembly follow up communications, meetings and minutes of the Board and can make suggestions whenever they wish.
The Centre for Historic Research (CIPH) of the Jewish Community of Oporto, created in 2015, seeks to reconstruct the entire history of the organisation from its foundation in 1923 to the present day, together with the Jewish presence in the city in previous centuries, putting an end to colourful myths that for decades have been part of the collective imagination.
The Building of the Kadoorie Mekor Haim synagogue
The building of the Kadoorie Mekor Haim Synagogue (Rua de Guerra Junqueiro, 340, Porto, Portugal) was inaugurated officially on January 1938. The Kadoorie Mekor Haim Synagogue is the largest Synagogue in Iberian Peninsula. It includes not only a great prayer room but also spaces for many other activities. In the 50s, 60s and 90s, maintenance work and painting in the synagogue were carried out, paid for by Lawrence and Horace Kadoorie, a Jewish family from Hong Kong.
In 2011 the building had a very rundown picture and looked like a ghost building. Large quantities of rotting moss covered all the outer walls of the temple and two dead palm trees seemed to be presiding over a very sad and decadent setting. Between 2012 and 2015, the following work was carried out using the community's own financial resources: Exterior and interior renovation and painting throughout the synagogue building; Construction of a new kosher Mikveh; Installation of a new fully kosher kitchen; Creation of a pantry for kosher products with 7 refrigerators or freezers; Painting and refurbishment of rooms for the nursery school; Repair and reconstruction of the Synagogue's stone walls; Raising the height of the synagogue's front railing;
Repair of both existing toilets and construction of a new toilet for men; Transformation of the first floor rooms to create the Jewish Museum of Oporto; Installation of video surveillance cameras in the building (for a total of 16 cameras); Felling of the palm trees, killed by beetles. Between 2016 and 2017, the following work was carried out using the community's own financial resources: (Exterior) Cleaning the façades; Lighting all façades; Restoring and replacing all paving, stair landing, side stairs, in the synagogue, entrance foyer with granite gravel; Rebuilding and starting up the irrigation system; Rebuilding the sewage network; Building rainwater drainage pipes around the building and placing receiving grilles; Erecting a new building, in 2 1/2 months at the rear of the synagogue; Building gas, water and sewage networks for the new building; Repainting the gates; Electrification of the new building;
Placing artificial grass around the new building; Lighting the surroundings of the new building; Building, setting up a screen, electrification of Suka in the new building. (Main Temple) Main chandelier fully electrified; Replacing the electrical installation (except main cable inlet to building); Doubling the lighting capacity of the main chandelier with LED lamps, each equal to 150 watts... More: Doubling the lighting capacity in the side corridors; Doubling the lighting capacity in the women’s section; Placing curtain rods in the two parochets; Restoring and painting the walls; Restoring and replacing the electrical installation in the two rooms next to the Ehal;
Putting Pest Repellent and placing rodent traps. (1st floor) Restoring the walls and ceilings on the 1st floor; Painting the whole space; Rebuilding the ladies’ lavatory; Building a men’s lavatory; Replacing the electrical installation on the 1st floor (except for right stairwell); Restoring and painting Yeshiva; Painting the stairwells. (2nd floor) Shoring the whole building; Full reconstruction of the 2nd floor kitchen; Gas connection to the 2nd floor; Extending and restoring the dining room, involving demolition and reinforcement of supporting walls with steel beams. Demolition of two adjacent rooms; Flooring reinforced with transverse and longitudinal steel beams; Building a Suka on the 2nd floor patio; Remodelling and building two WCs on the 2nd floor; Replacing the electrical installation on the 2nd floor; Buying and hanging suitable pendant lights for the space; Partial replacement of the flooring; Building a pantry on the 2nd floor; Restoring the ceilings and windows on the 2nd floor; Painting the 2nd floor; Painting the stairwell between the 1st and 2nd floors. (Ground floor) Replacing the electrical installation; Building a kosher grocery; Replacing flooring on first level; Replacing flooring on second level with wooden floor;
Restoring, painting and renovating flooring in the Vending area; Restoring all doors and clad the side doors; Restoring ceilings and walls; Paintwork. (Basement) Replacing the electrical installation; Installing adequate lighting; Building a new temple; Installing insulated plasterboard on all basement walls; Installing central heating in the basement; Installing a backlit screen; Restoring a space for an Archives Room and an office; Replacing all windows with double-glazed thermal break windows; Installing floating floor; Putting Pest Repellent on the walls; Installing an attached storeroom; Underground shelters are created in the case of terrorist attacks.
In 2011 the building had a very rundown picture and looked like a ghost building. Large quantities of rotting moss covered all the outer walls of the temple and two dead palm trees seemed to be presiding over a very sad and decadent setting. Between 2012 and 2015, the following work was carried out using the community's own financial resources: Exterior and interior renovation and painting throughout the synagogue building; Construction of a new kosher Mikveh; Installation of a new fully kosher kitchen; Creation of a pantry for kosher products with 7 refrigerators or freezers; Painting and refurbishment of rooms for the nursery school; Repair and reconstruction of the Synagogue's stone walls; Raising the height of the synagogue's front railing;
Repair of both existing toilets and construction of a new toilet for men; Transformation of the first floor rooms to create the Jewish Museum of Oporto; Installation of video surveillance cameras in the building (for a total of 16 cameras); Felling of the palm trees, killed by beetles. Between 2016 and 2017, the following work was carried out using the community's own financial resources: (Exterior) Cleaning the façades; Lighting all façades; Restoring and replacing all paving, stair landing, side stairs, in the synagogue, entrance foyer with granite gravel; Rebuilding and starting up the irrigation system; Rebuilding the sewage network; Building rainwater drainage pipes around the building and placing receiving grilles; Erecting a new building, in 2 1/2 months at the rear of the synagogue; Building gas, water and sewage networks for the new building; Repainting the gates; Electrification of the new building;
Community development (2012-2022)
Summary 2012:
Total rehabilitation of the building of the Synagogue, inside and out.
Approval of the Community's internal by-laws and disciplinary regulations.
Approval of the Community's internal by-laws and disciplinary regulations.
Engaging a rabbi (recognized by the Grand Rabbinate of Israel), the first rabbi of the Community's history paid for with the Community's own financial resources.
Appointment of a Religious Committee and adjustment of the myth of "bnei anousim" to its proper limits. There are no longer marranos in Portugal.
Admission of new members into the Community, formation of a security department and creation of tourism department.
At the request of the Parliamentary Group of the Portuguese Socialist Party, the Jewish Community of Oporto gave suggestions for the first draft of the Nationality Law granting Portuguese nationality to the descendants of Sephardic Jews once forced to leave the country.
The Portuguese Parliament officially declared that Captain Barros Basto “was separated from the Army due to a general climate of animosity against him driven by the fact that being a Jew. The conviction of Captain was factually justified and motivated by religious intolerance and an anti-Semitic prejudice."
Summary, 2013:
The statutes of the Community were amended, as they had not been in accordance with the law and were totally outdated (dating from 1923).
The Community was officially recognized by the Government as a religious Community rooted in Portugal, the highest possible legal status.
The building of the synagogue was recorded in the Land Registry as belonging to the Community. It means that the building at no. 340 Guerra Junqueiro Street "did not exist" in the Land Registry, and for 75 years was a phantom building.
Shabbatons celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Synagogue and the 90th anniversary of the Jewish Community of Oporto, with the participation of renowned rabbis, official guests and Jewish families from many countries.
The Community initiated relationships with the highest religious and secular authorities of the Jewish world.
The Chief of the Portuguese Army recognised that Captain Barros Basto could be Colonel since 22 November 1945.
Summary 2014:
The Community was officially recognized by the Government as a religious Community rooted in Portugal, the highest possible legal status.
The building of the synagogue was recorded in the Land Registry as belonging to the Community. It means that the building at no. 340 Guerra Junqueiro Street "did not exist" in the Land Registry, and for 75 years was a phantom building.
Shabbatons celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Synagogue and the 90th anniversary of the Jewish Community of Oporto, with the participation of renowned rabbis, official guests and Jewish families from many countries.
The Community initiated relationships with the highest religious and secular authorities of the Jewish world.
The Chief of the Portuguese Army recognised that Captain Barros Basto could be Colonel since 22 November 1945.
Summary 2014:
The Community participated in the drafting of the Regulation of the Nationality Law, as previously it had done in drafting the Nationality Law itself.
In partnership with the hotel group Hoti Hotels, the Community established a kosher hotel in Porto – the Music Hotel – fully prepared to receive Jewish tourism.
A department was created for interfaith relations.
The tourism department produced a bilingual book, "The Synagogue of Oporto", available for tourists, and provided the Municipality of Oporto with a fold-out leaflet on the Jewish Tour in 4 languages: English, French, Portuguese and Spanish.
The Municipality placed signposts throughout the city indicating the direction of the Kadoorie Mekor Haim Synagogue, and the city maps began to highlight the Synagogue of Oporto. (In 2011, the Parish Council of Massarelos described the synagogue as a "mosque" in an official monograph.)
Summary, 2015:
Engaging also the Sephardi rabbi.
A new mikveh and a new kitchen were built in the Synagogue.
A nursery for children up to 6 years old was set up. Attendance is free for the children of Community members.
Creation of Tzadakah department.
Creation of the Centre for Historic Research (CIPH) to reconstruct the entire history of the modern Jewish community of Oporto from the 19th century to the present day.
The Community has acquired a Jewish library consisting of hundreds of high-quality books, and it was inaugurated a small Jewish Museum in rooms on the 1st floor of the Synagogue.
The Community has created a department overseen by the Oporto Rabbinate to issue certificates to the descendants of Sephardic Jews originating in Portugal.
The walls and railings around the synagogue were raised, for security reasons, and the Community has created a specialized legal department to prosecute any criminals and corrupt journalists who may cause harm to the Community.
Summary 2016:
With the return of many Sephardim, the Community completed the annual cycle of Torah readings always having had a minyan and kiddush, for the first time in its history more than a hundred years old.
Receipt of a Sephardic Sefer Torah, the first in the Community's history.
The Community bought a land for its cemetery, a few kilometers from the Synagogue.
A community grocery store was established in the Synagogue, with all essential products (meat, milk, wine, bread, mezunot) available at a symbolic price.
A large Shabbaton was held in Oporto, which gathered Sephardic Jews from every continent.
Creation of the Reception and Settlement department.
A request was made to the Prime Minister of Portugal for him to streamline and expedite mechanisms for secondary education history textbooks to include, albeit with limited space, the presence of Jews in the Iberian Peninsula in general and in Portugal in particular.
The Jewish Community of Oporto and the Islamic Community of Oporto affirmed a Memorandum of Friendship and Cooperation.
Summary 2017:
For the second consecutive year, during Tishrei the Community completed the annual cycle of Torah readings always having had a minyan and kiddush. Receipt of a Sephardic Sefer Torah, the second in the Community's history.
The Community activities include Torah weekly classes, Hebrew language classes and Krav Maga classes.
Works begin on the cemetery plot of the Jewish Community of Oporto.
A parochet (which had never existed before) is commissioned for the Ehal of the synagogue. The bimah is placed in the centre of the prayer room and the capacity of the men’s prayer room is increased by 50 seats.
A second prayer room is built in the basement to be used during the winter and also because of the division between Sephardim and Ashkenazim that inevitably occurs on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Behind the synagogue, inside the Community grounds, a building is raised to serve as a kosher restaurant for the community. In addition, it has supported the creation and certification of another kosher restaurant.
A library with religious books, a large Sukkah which can take 180 people, a Kiddush room for 200 people and also a vending store in the synagogue were created.
A chronology 1920-2017 was done to provide an understanding of the history of the community.
Strengthening of the security department with the police. Underground shelters are created.
Key representatives of the Community have discussed with benefactor members from Southeast Asia, Eurasia and America regarding the best way to protect and invest the Community’s financial assets.
Creation of a delegation of the Jewish Community of Oporto, which can promote social relations and visit the Portuguese institutions that receive donations from the Community.
Concert of Sephardic Memory - "Tradition and Modernity - Tribute to our Jewish musical heritage". The event was attended by 1000 members and friends of the Jewish Community of Oporto.
Summary 2018:
For the third consecutive year, during Tishrei the Community completed the annual cycle of Torah readings, always having had a minyan and kiddush.
A large Shabbaton in Oporto, arrival of two new Sephardic Sifrei Torah and creation of a Beit Midrash in Oporto.
The name of the organisation and its headquarters were changed. The registered statutory purpose now includes fostering peace and the security for the Jewish people in general, and promoting a better, fairer and more equitable world.
The Jewish Community of Oporto and the Roman Diocese of Oporto signed a Memorandum of Friendship and Cooperation to act in social, cultural and philanthropic endeavours.
The Community has acquired a new building to house the Jewish Museum and Cinema of Oporto and offered the most beautiful chanukiot in the world (produced in Toledo, Sepharad) to the top representatives of USA, Russia and Portugal.
Creation of a counter and Anti-Semitism department that works together with the police and the law courts.
The construction of the Chabad Center in Cascais received a substantial donation from the Jewish Community of Oporto and a philanthropist from Eurasia.
The Community has launched the ''Shabbat Meals from the Diaspora'' project to provide Shabbat meals to Jewish citizens who currently do not have the resources to prepare their own in Ashdod, London, Brooklyn, Odessa, Moscow, Beijing, Sydney and Johannesburg. This initiative has received financial and practical support from Jewish philanthropic families
Summary 2019:
For the fourth consecutive year, during Tishrei the Community completed the annual cycle of Torah readings, always having had a minyan and kiddush.
Creation of the Oporto Beth Din.
A large Shabbaton in Oporto.
The President of the Portuguese Republic visited the Oporto synagogue and participated in the prayers of Kabbalat Shabbat and Arvit.
Inauguration of the Jewish Museum and Cinema of Oporto, and creation of a Jewish Education Centre to provide courses for professional development of teachers in Portuguese secondary schools.
The Community is providing products for Shabbat meals to synagogues in Jerusalem, New Delhi, Bangkok, Buenos Aires, Brooklyn, Moscow, Odessa, Beijing, Sydney, London, Ashdod and Johannesburg that distribute them to needy families.
Global project involving close cooperation with Oporto Roman Catholic Diocese, with the following activities: social causes, promotion of the Jewish Museum and the Episcopal Palace Museum, and four films - "The Nun's Kaddish", "Sefarad", "1618" and "The Light of Judah" - covering events that have occurred over the centuries in the Portuguese Jewish community. These initiatives have received financial and practical support from Sephardic philanthropic families.
Global project involving close cooperation with Oporto Roman Catholic Diocese, with the following activities: social causes, promotion of the Jewish Museum and the Episcopal Palace Museum, and four films - "The Nun's Kaddish", "Sefarad", "1618" and "The Light of Judah" - covering events that have occurred over the centuries in the Portuguese Jewish community. These initiatives have received financial and practical support from Sephardic philanthropic families.
Summary 2020:
For the fifth consecutive year, during Tishrei the Community completed the annual cycle of Torah readings, always having had a minyan and kiddush.
The community is composed of 500 members, reaching this number for the first time since 1496.
Religious, cultural, social and philanthropic activities in Portugal and abroad.
Creation of a news website called Mazal News to share inspiring actions based on solidarity and love, and that encourage the construction of a more just world.
Creation of a new kosher restaurant.
A large Shabbaton in Oporto.
Creation of a Perpetual Endowment Fund to ensure that the Jewish community of Oporto will continue its sustained growth for decades.
Emergence of a small group of antisemites of the State and some puppets, who during the covid-19 pandemic slandered Portuguese Jewish communities and Sephardic Jews in general.
An international human rights organization created a base in Portugal to ensure that antisemites will pay a price for being antisemitic.
The community is composed of 500 members, reaching this number for the first time since 1496.
Religious, cultural, social and philanthropic activities in Portugal and abroad.
Creation of a news website called Mazal News to share inspiring actions based on solidarity and love, and that encourage the construction of a more just world.
Creation of a new kosher restaurant.
A large Shabbaton in Oporto.
Creation of a Perpetual Endowment Fund to ensure that the Jewish community of Oporto will continue its sustained growth for decades.
Emergence of a small group of antisemites of the State and some puppets, who during the covid-19 pandemic slandered Portuguese Jewish communities and Sephardic Jews in general.
An international human rights organization created a base in Portugal to ensure that antisemites will pay a price for being antisemitic.
Summary 2021:
For the sixth consecutive year, during Tishrei the Community completed the annual cycle of Torah readings, always having had a minyan and kiddush.
The community is composed of about 700 members, reaching this number for the first time since 1496.
Message received from a Jewish author who knows Jewish communities in dozens of countries, and attended the Yom Kippur 5782 celebrations at the Oporto synagogue. "I don't think I've ever heard such passionate praying and singing before in a synagogue."
Creation of a new kosher restaurant, a new kosher grossery and opening of an Achdut Center for young people close to the university.
''Shabbat Meals from the Diaspora'' project is providing Shabbat meals in Jerusalem, Brooklyn, New Delhi, Bangkok, Buenos Aires, Moscow, Barcelona, Ashdod, London, Hamburg, Odessa, Beijing, Sydney and Johannesburg.
Inauguration of the Holocaust Museum of Oporto, in cooperation with B'nai B'rith International and Holocaust museums around the world.
A Training Course for teachers at the Holocaust Museum provided the tools for teachers to communicate their students to topics such as Jewish History and Culture, Holocaust and Antisemitism.
Reception of the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Opposition leader, the Mayor of the city, the Prime Minister of Sweden and the ambassadors of Israel, the USA, UK, Russia, France, Belgium, Poland and many others.
National meeting of the Portuguese Jewish community at the Holocaust Museum, including the Boards of Directors and the rabbis of the communities, the rabbi of Chabad Portugal and the Israeli ambassador in Portugal.
Debate between members of the community and the Oporto's Mayor, Rui Moreira, organized by Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM)
A protocol with the Historical Society of Portugal's Independence and the creation of the Port Wine Room at the Jewish Museum.
Premiere of a film about the Inquisition. It is part of an interfaith project with the Diocese of Oporto.
The community is composed of about 700 members, reaching this number for the first time since 1496.
Message received from a Jewish author who knows Jewish communities in dozens of countries, and attended the Yom Kippur 5782 celebrations at the Oporto synagogue. "I don't think I've ever heard such passionate praying and singing before in a synagogue."
Creation of a new kosher restaurant, a new kosher grossery and opening of an Achdut Center for young people close to the university.
''Shabbat Meals from the Diaspora'' project is providing Shabbat meals in Jerusalem, Brooklyn, New Delhi, Bangkok, Buenos Aires, Moscow, Barcelona, Ashdod, London, Hamburg, Odessa, Beijing, Sydney and Johannesburg.
Inauguration of the Holocaust Museum of Oporto, in cooperation with B'nai B'rith International and Holocaust museums around the world.
A Training Course for teachers at the Holocaust Museum provided the tools for teachers to communicate their students to topics such as Jewish History and Culture, Holocaust and Antisemitism.
Reception of the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Opposition leader, the Mayor of the city, the Prime Minister of Sweden and the ambassadors of Israel, the USA, UK, Russia, France, Belgium, Poland and many others.
National meeting of the Portuguese Jewish community at the Holocaust Museum, including the Boards of Directors and the rabbis of the communities, the rabbi of Chabad Portugal and the Israeli ambassador in Portugal.
Debate between members of the community and the Oporto's Mayor, Rui Moreira, organized by Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM)
A protocol with the Historical Society of Portugal's Independence and the creation of the Port Wine Room at the Jewish Museum.
Premiere of a film about the Inquisition. It is part of an interfaith project with the Diocese of Oporto.
Summary 2022:
For the seventh consecutive year, during Tishrei the Community completed the annual cycle of Torah readings, always having had a minyan and kiddush.
The Community is composed of about 1000 members including the foreign students for whom was created a large achdut center in the city.
Religious, cultural, social and philanthropic activities in Portugal and abroad.
''Shabbat Meals from the Diaspora'' project is providing Shabbat meals in Jerusalem, Brooklyn, New Delhi, Bangkok, Buenos Aires, Moscow, Barcelona, Ashdod, London, Hamburg, Odessa, Beijing, Sydney and Johannesburg.
Creation of a newspaper called Portuguese Jewish News to share news, reportage, opinions and reviews regarding the Jewish community in Portugal, Europe and the world.
The Jewish Community of Oporto signed a cooperation protocol with the Military Hospital of Oporto.
The best celebration of the "European Days of Jewish Culture" in Europe took place in Oporto, with the Jewish Museum, the Shoah Museum, the Jewish cinema, films on the Portuguese Jewish history, a painting gallery, gastronomy, liturgical choir, room on modern anti-Semitism and much more.
Film "1618" about the Inquisition in Oporto was shown by airlines from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Libya, and others.
New room dedicated to anti-Semitism in Portugal (2015-2022) inaugurated at Jewish Museum of Oporto.
Portuguese State agents mounted a “Portuguese Dreyfus” case against the Community (“based on nothing”, in the words of the Court of Appeal), a sovietic antisemitism case (not attacking the Jews in general, but only the strongest Community, wealthy Jews, israelis, a law beneficial to Jews, etc.) with exchanges of favours between mediocre individuals from the Portuguese elites, state corruption, use of the judiciary for political ends, conspiracy theories, night robberies of law firms and private homes, false accusations of drug trafficking and schemes with Russia, and use of anonymous denunciations made by state agents, professional slanderers and individuals condemned for defamation, all this articulated with a murderous media campaign carried out by half a dozen journalists and influencers.
The Jewish Community of Oporto filed a complaint with the European Public Prosecutor's Office with the assistance of the European Jewish Association. The goal was to document the conspiracy, even if the European Public Prosecutor decides not to do anything about it.
That complaint has been bound into a book that was sent to UN, EU, UNESCO, and libraries around the world and will be taught in various programmes of antisemitism studies.
Jewish Museum of Oporto received an important distinction in the presence of the Mayor of the city: the Commendation of the Chain of Merit of the king Peter I of Brazil and IV of Portugal.
(The activities briefly described above are part of the general aim of rehabilitating the Jewish Community of Oporto and the Kadoorie Mekor Haim Synagogue, now a force in society with a respectable image never achieved in the past.)
Jewish tradition and some of the evils of the world
There is a question that is usually answered only by silence. Why are some men ineffective in their lives and others have the blessings of Hashem to create life, culture, influence, and wealth?
What is said below is a part of the answer.
1. Mediocre men are absolutely ineffective in their lives and do nothing to dignify others and to improve the world. Their lives are lost in vanity, speaking evil of others or envying those who are not envious.
2. Jealousy is part of the daily life of the mediocre. Jealousy keeps hate in the heart, wishing that other people are not successful. It is a fact that the mediocre men lack envy only for their children and disciples. (Talmud, St. 105b)
3. The ‘evil eye’ (ain ha-ra) is the name given to negative energy that is created by mediocre men who look at others with envy or bad feelings. It only affects those who care about it. (Pesachim 110 b)
-- Gossip usually involves conversations speaking evil of others (lashon hara). It is forbidden to hear gossip and including to turn your face towards the speaker. (Shaarei Teshuva, s.3.)
-- Passing on stories (rechilut) is also considered gossip. The Talmud says that the storyteller lives in the shadow of slander. "You shall not go about retelling stories among your people". (Lev 19:16)
-- One who tells disparaging things about others that are false is referred to as a ‘motzi sheim ra’, that is, one who spreads a bad name or report. This person is considered the lowest of the low. It is believed that the results of his slander will return and destroy him, like a boomerang.
The Midrash says that the practice of chesed (goodness) is the stone upon which stands the Universe.
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