Casa Shalom - Future, Past and People

Address

	Tel: +972-9-7739655 Mob: +972-50-7492516
	Fax:  +972-9-8607780 (attn. Ms Gloria Mound)

History

From research initiated by Gloria Mound , in the Spanish Balearic Islands of Ibiza and Formentera in 1978, it emerged that within these backwaters Jews had been protected by the Islanders and survived after the explusion in 1492 until modern times As customs, and documents, which included a fourteenth century Megilla Esther, (now being restored by the Spanish Government),and FOUR buildings that had been Secret Synagogues ,some in use until the Civil War in 1936, were discovered research expanded to the larger Islands of Majorca and Minorca, creating considerable Academic interest .

To further the project Gloria and Leslie Mound gave up their home in U.K.,and delayed their emmigration to Israel,settling in Ibiza for three years. prior to making their home in Israel in 1988.Since arriving in Gan Yavneh, the work has continued , with the suppport of a three year Grant from The Schalit Foundation, for which the Institute For Marrano Studies , will be eternally grateful. Such valuable assistance enabled research in Spain USA., Canada, U.K., Caribbean,S.America and Africa, enabling meetings with people from hidden Jewish origins, and data about past/ present Communities.

Whilst each area has its own history, the constant theme has been tenacity of the Jewish Faith. A unique library was amassed during these travels,and the Mounds', who work WITHOUT SALARY, are constantly consulted about their discoveries, supplying literary contributions to a number of prestigious publications , including the Encylopaedia Judaica, plus attendance at International Conferences.

Gloria Mound, was accorded the Honour of Honorary Research Fellow, by University of Glasgow,in 1988,which has been each year since. She has become a popular lecturer, making history come alive to all levels of audiences. A number of Papers have been published, and more are on the way. Studies include happenings in these areas during the HOLOCAUST, and how refugees fleeing the Nazis, were helped by local secret Jews.Close attention to this facet of HOLOCAUST studies in forthcoming publications.

The future

In 1994 it was decided to turn Casa Shalom into an Institute For Marrano - Anusim Studies, and establish a centre for all those interested in the subject. Persons came forward to assist as volunteers,for translation, office work etc. Visitors have been welcomed from all over the world , many from families of hidden Jewish background, who are today themselves desirious of learning more about their heritage.

Books,candlesticks, and other appurtances have been requested, and sent to many places from limited resources. Plans are to hold Seminars, arrange tours to places of jewish interest, many hitherto unknown, help with Genealogical studies, and to promote all forms of of research,alongside EDUCATION,to a myriad of schools in Israel and abroad, regarded as a priority.

In addition aims are to continue , documenting and publishing information ,as a DATA BASE, totalling a merited historical source for future generations. To achieve this the Board feel that membership and support must be extended , AND IS CRUCIAL TO ITS FUTURE EXISTENCE.

Casa Shalom - People

Board

• Mr. Elie Schalit  - Sampson Trust of Schalit Family
• Ms. Gloria Mound - Hon.Exc. Director
• Dr. Anthony Joseph - Pres.1994-5 Jewish Hist.Soc. of England
• Dr. Paul Donnelly - Director Dept. of Hispanics, Glasgow University, U.K.
• Mr. Ainsely Henriques - Jamaica, West Indies
• Mr. Neil Davis - The Neil Davis Charitable Trust
• Prof. Nicholas Round - Emeritus, Research Prof. of Hispanics, Univ of Sheffield, UK
• Mr. Leslie Mound - Hon. Institute Administrator
• Prof. Seth Ward - Director of Religious Studes, Univ. of Wyoming
• Prof. George Zucker - Univ. North Iowa
• Professor Henry Green - Director Jewish Studies, University of Miami
• Mr. Yitzhak Kerem - Hebrew Univeristy/Aristotle University, Salonika
• Mr. Michael Glatzer - Ben Zvi Inst. Hebrew Univ. Jerusalem
• Mr. Moshe Alkesiasi - Mayor of Gan Yavneh
• Ambassador/Dr. Mordechai Arbell - World Jewish Congress

Institutional Members of Casa Shalom

• Bar Ilan University Ramat Gan Israel
• Beit Hatefutsoth Museum of The Diaspora Tel Aviv
• Ben Zvi Institute Jerusalem
• Brandeis University USA
• European Association of Jewish Studies Oxford
• George Washington University Washington DC
• Glasgow University Scotland UK
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem Israel
• Jewish Memorial Council UK
• Kulanu - Helping Lost Jewish Communities Organization
• USA Library of Congress USA
• St. Augustine Historical Society UCLA University California
• University of N. Iowa USA
• University of Manchester UK
• University of Miami Coral Gables USA
• University of Sheffield UK
• World Freemasonary Centre UK
• Yeshiva University N.Y. USA
• Yakar Institute London UK

Executive Committe

• Gloria Mound, Chairman
• Michael Glatzer, Vice Chairman
• Dr. Mordechai Arbell
• Leslie Mound, Honorary Administrator

Control Committe

• Nita Hernandz
• Jeremy Pfeffer
• Bruriah Juez-Perez
  

Editorial Committe

• Norma Remez, Chairman
• Hadas Dubler
• Jodene Vasquez
  
• Sylvia Zilberberg

 Members & Activities

The Institute For Marrano-Anusim Studies , welcomes members and has an extensive Data Base and Library on all facets of the above subject. We are a non-profit organization that endeavours to reach out to those of Jewish origin who desire to know more about their heritage. We provide them with a hitherto unavailable connection to Jewry. ONLY if requested we donate to them books ,candlesticks etc. We are happy to receive information on this subject from any part of the world that relates to secret or hitherto unknown Jewish practice, culture or folklore.

We give exceptional lectures on the subject both in Israel and in Europe and America. These talks have in the past five years received International acclaim and appeal to all levels and ages. They are accompanied by unique slides and music and cassettes from such Communities. As in most instances the Airfare from Israel is sponsored the lectures abroad are at very low cost. The 15th. and 16th.lecture tours in Europe and America will be in Feb-March and again in the Autumn of 2000. We also conduct most successfully Genealogy searches (special low rates for members).

We are urgently in need of support so our work can continue. All workers receive no salary but our day to day expenses grow daily!

From the many people who have shown interest and encouragement these past years we now turn to crave your further POSITIVE SUPPORT, so that the programme can continue.

Membership will give many benefits:

• reduced rates for pamphlets tours
• free bi-annual Casa Shalom magazine
• 25% off all our publications, free bulletin/ publication lists, reductions on genealogy searches, etc.
• subscriptions are TAX deductable.

For further information about membership please click the link.

Library and Research Centre Project

The library has been officially opened on Wednesday , January 26, by the 5th President of Israel, Mr Yitzhak Navon. Many other dignitaries were present, from Israel and overseas, including Ms Gail Seal, President of JNF-UK; Mr. Simon Winters, JNF-Executive Director; representatives of the Neil Davis Chartibale Fund, the Israel Ministery of Foreign Affairs and the World Jewish Congress.

Photos of the festive opening can be seen by clicking the following link Library photos.

The official invitation for the library opening can be seen by clicking the following link: Library invitation.

In September 2003 we had a Proposal to Build a Library and Research Center at Casa Shalom, Gan Yavneh. This has now been completed, and is fully operational. The library houses a unique collection of books, articles and documents related to the history and current status of Marranos around the world.

You can see the extent of the material collected by looking at our extensive list of Paper files.