Dear Members and Supporters of Casa Shalom

This past year, we all suffered a traumatic loss on the death of my beloved husband, Leslie ל"ז on December 27, 2010. His years of deep, unselfish devotion and sacrifices not only to me, but to further the work of helping so many Marranos-Anusim will, I think, be his lasting memorial. Our beautiful new research library at Netanya Academic College was dedicated in his memory on June 22, 2010. All the staff and volunteers miss his presence and wise counsel. For 37 years he steered Casa Shalom as honorary administrator, in no small way helping us to achieve our impeccable world-wide reputation. We dedicate this issue of our journal in Leslie’s memory.

It was my dearest husband’s wish that I carry on with the vital work, and this I am endeavouring to do. These past two years have seen considerable advancement. The Board of Casa Shalom have staunchly encouraged me and frequently strengthened my resolve, particularly Mr. Elie Schalit and Mr. Neil Davis, for which Casa Shalom shall be eternally grateful. In addition, I have been ably assisted by my new research assistant, Adina Moryosef, who joined us just prior to our departing from Gan Yavneh, and the team of volunteers, spearheaded by long-time stalwart volunteer, Hadas Dubler, who has been at the helm of all the planning and changes that have taken place.

We deeply regret that Leslie ל"ז did not live to see the fruition of our joint aspirations with Netanya Academic College (NAC). Casa Shalom’s merger with the International Institute on the Study of Secret Jews (Anusim) at NAC is now a positive fact. We welcome visitors to our new location within the campus library. Our wonderful new premises is four times larger than in Gan Yavneh. The library is open and many Marrano-Anusim artfacts are on exhibit. We cordially invite visitors (by appointment if possible) to see it. Transporting the 2,500 books and 5,000 documents, office equipment, not to mention my own home, to Netanya required most careful planning, and we are grateful to Naftali Zilberberg (CPA) for attending so many meetings and for his invaluable advice. For some of our long-time workers and supporters, however, the distance to our new home has proven to be too great to come on a regular basis. We especially give our tribute and deepest thanks to my long-time secretary, Mrs. Sylvia Zilberberg, upon her retirement, and give her our best wishes for her future.

The entire staff of Casa Shalom has worked tirelessly since our last journal was published in 2009. We have embarked on research trips overseas and are proud to maintain direct contact with overseas communities, welcoming delegations from foreign embassies, universities, and providing facilities for educational seminars and conferences. We also have had continued success in supplying evidence of Jewish identity before rabbinical councils. All of this is due to the vital continued support of our members and benefactors, and for this we thank you (and remind you to send membership fees to 14/4 MacDonald Street, Netanya 42262, Israel).

Gloria Mound, Executive Director