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Romaniote and Sephardic Communities: Preserving History through Artifacts, Archives, and Research

Public Program
These Jewish girls of Moroccan origin lived in France’s Los Arenas camp in 1946 while waiting to immigrate to Palestine. US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Andre Limot

These Jewish girls of Moroccan origin lived in France’s Los Arenas camp in 1946 while waiting to immigrate to Palestine. US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Andre Limot

Join the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Kehila Kedosha Janina Synagogue and Museum for special back-to-back presentations about Romaniote and Sephardic Jews during the Holocaust.

First, learn about the Romaniote and Sephardic Communities Initiative, which collects and preserves original artifacts from Sephardic Jews (or their descendants) who suffered displacement, persecution, or discrimination under the rule of Nazi Germany and its Axis partners. The discussion will focus on the role of collecting artifacts, document, photos, and other materials—including interviews with victims and eyewitnesses—the many ways in which these materials are used, and the unique and compelling stories they reveal.

A second presentation will focus on the free research services offered through the International Tracing Service Digital Collection. The vast archive includes various documents about Romaniote and Sephardic victims, including Jews deported from Salonica, Greek Jews murdered in Auschwitz, lists of deportations, displaced persons’ registration cards, and much more.

Speakers
Diane Afoumado, Chief, Research and Reference, National Institute for Holocaust Documentation, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Marcia Haddad Ikonomopoulos, Director, Kehila Kedosha Janina Synagogue and Museum
Jaime Monllor, International Outreach Officer, National Institute for Holocaust Documentation, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Fred Wasserman, Acquisitions Curator (Consultant), National Institute for Holocaust Documentation, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Join the conversation online using #AskWhy and #USHMM

This program is free and open to the public, but reservations are required.

For more information, please contact Jaime Monllor at jmonllor@ushmm.org or 202.488.2692.

Learn more about the Kehila Kedosha Janina Museum and Synagogue here.