Editor's Note, Volume 15, Issue 2, Summer 2025

Dear Readers of Sephardic Horizons,

The first issue of Volume 16 of Sephardic Horizons is dedicated to the incredible creativity in Jewish life that occurred just before and during the centuries following the expulsion from Spain and the forced conversions and escapes from Portugal. Two scholars, Shlomo Pereira and Marvin J. Heller, point us to the flourishing of Jewish printing before and after these tragic events, almost on a par with the destruction of the Second Temple and the Holocaust. We can only marvel, as today, at Jewish resilience, ingenuity, determination, and faith.

In our Ladino Judeo-Spanish section, we present two excellent and intriguing stories, by Denise León and Rosa Ventura, runners-up in the latest Ladinokomunita competition. We are most appreciative to Rachel Amado Bortnick, for her expert editing of these two stories and for giving us the privilege of publishing them. We are also grateful to the authors for their permission and patience. Both stories are focused on immigration to Argentina from Turkey.

The review section, edited by Annette Fromm, our review editor, covers a range of recent Sephardic books, four on history and one on Mexican poets, and a film about Jews in Greece.

We mourn the passing in May of Güler Orgun, editor of the monthly El Amaneser, who gave selflessly to the cause of Ladino/Judeo-Spanish, was a friend to and helped many, including myself, and whose passing is a great loss to our community. For more details, see the eulogy by Rachel Amado Bortnick, in the newsletter of the American Ladino League.

Thanks to all our writers, contributors and readers, for your patience and faithfulness in awaiting this new issue of Sephardic Horizons. Profound thanks to Rachel Amado Bortnick, Altan Gabbay, and Annette Fromm, for your major work on this issue!

Wishing you a continuing enjoyable summer and happy reading from Judith Roumani, Editor