The Portuguese government place authority upon them to vet applicants and certify them based on historical documentation as descendants of Sephardic Jews. Can you suggest any genealogist and lawyers we can use? Do I have to hire the services of a lawyer? 3603 Quentin Road Brooklyn, NY 11234 (347) 434-3973 sarina@roffe.com. Fee: For the application with the "Conservatria dos Registos Centrais": 250 EUROS - Methods accepted: Cashier's check, in EUROS, of bank in Portugal, payable to IRN, IP; Some people already know that they have Sephardic Jewish heritage, while it can come as a surprise to others. Both used as many resources as they could find, citing Ancestry.com as one of the most helpful along with other sites like JewishGen. God bless you dear Maria, you have exceeded your professional duty by containing us and collaborating with us in hard times, very hard, for that we want to thank you publicly, you are unique!!! Upon the granting of nationality, the Central Registry Office shall issue and mail to the applicants address a Portuguese birth certificate. competent consulting, fast processing, reliable, warm & good team. A Committee of Experts in Jewish Sephardic genealogy and the historical routes of the Jewish Iberian Diaspora to evaluate the provided means of proof. He has helped our family with many battles over the years. Best lawyer house from Israel! It meant that people from all over the world could easily obtain a second passport, many of whom had never been to Portugal. Also, we inform you that, in case of no approval, the donations given are not refundable, without prejudice of the process come to be analyzed again through presentation of additional documents. I have found a firm that sounds good, though, charges 5,000 euros for the whole process. A birth certificate (including name and parents name, proof of name changes when applicable, place and date of birth). This single document is seen as the most important document in the process. On 1 June 2022 the Jewish Community of Lisbon issued a statement. These records, along with church books for the rest of the population, made up civil registration; however, when such books have been microfilmed . That evidence, along with your family tree, is submitted to the Portuguese Jewish community in either Porto or Lisbon. The capital is home to the country's main Jewish community. He says finding someone else who has done it is key, and will signiciatnly cut down your own research time significantly. At that point, he decided to investigate further. In this article, we will explain how a Jewish community certification can help you in obtaining status as a Portuguese citizenship, and what other steps are required to complete the process. I really recommend the law office's services. I imagine this must be tiring re-sharing with everyone who asks, but would it be possible to share with me your list of suggested lawyers. Today, although smaller in number and with a tendency for gradual assimilation, the community keeps its essential services running: Synagogue, Cemetery, Social Center, Somej Nophlim Charitable Association. She didnt talk about her background very much, so we didnt know many details about her background. Finally, Jonah got in touch with the Rabbi from his childhood synagogue who connected him with a Sephardic rabbi. No. The Portuguese Jews played an important role in this period in the support of refugees, first through the creation of the Portuguese Commission for the Assistance of the Jewish Refugees in Portugal directed by Augusto Esaguy, and later directly through the Communitys own refugee support section, chaired by Moiss Amzalak and whose great promoter was Elias Baruel. I couldnt dealt with my situation without their professionalism and effectiveness. [More Info]. b. Click on "Places within Portugal, Lisboa" and a list of towns and cities will open. Portuguese citizenship comes with a number of benefits, not least a Portuguese passport which gives you the right to live and work in Portugal and other EU countries. It is the cemetery of the old Calada das Lajes, today Afonso III, still in operation. Donations. You may obtain further and accurate information at the nearest Portuguese Consulate. We found Decker, Pex, Ofir & Co. On the internet and began working with Ariel in late November 2021. He had just married his wife, Agatha Barbasch, in April 1914, in Odessa. It should mention the respective ancestry and descendancy (if necessary), places and dates of birth, marriage and death. Applications need to be submitted to the Portuguese Ministry of Justice who then look at your application and decide whether or not youre eligible for citizenship. If Im going to have this citizenship, I think its my responsibility to speak the language of that country, he says. The secret community was discovered in 1917 by a Polish Jewish mining engineer named Samuel Schwartz. It's also very nice to know that you will receive response promptly; it made us feel we can really trust their services. My grandmothers family was Jewish and we knew about the Jewish background, but she was not religious. PUBLIC ATTENDANCE: Monday to Thursday from 10am to 1pm | 2pm to 5 pm. I need to see if you can recommend a reliable attorney. In 1920 Captain Barros Bastos founded the Jewish community of Porto and embarked on a campaign to persuade crypto-Jews to return to the Judaism of their ancestors. Our emigration law office specializes in helping the descendants of Spanish and Portuguese Jews prove their ancestry so as to obtain a Portuguese passport. A request for this Certificate must be addressed to the Jewish Community of Oporto or to the Jewish Community of Lisbon From December 15, 2014, the Jewish Community of Oporto began receiving requests from descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews who wish to obtain a certificate issued by the Portuguese Jewish Community attesting this status. We are Jews. If you need to solve any complicated legal issue in Israel, don't hesitate to contact them. Your place of birth and all of your other details wont change, but the fact that this is issued by the Portuguese government is a symbol of your heritage once again returning to you. However the law does state that the following documents should be presented, including their translation into Portuguese, duly certified by the Portuguese consulate at the country of origin or residence and bearing the Hague Convention Apostille: The Portuguese Central Registry Office charges a non-refundable and pre-paid 250 fee per applicant. Mr. Joshua Pex is knowledgeable and Professional. 2. Both Trevor and Jonah initially turned to the internet for help. The project of the synagogue was designed by one the greatest architects of that time, Miguel Ventura Terra. The service is amazing! Unfortunately, a right to live in Portugal doesnt necessarily mean that people are able to move to Portugal as wages and opportunities are often lower here than in other Western countries. He eventually needed a lawyer to submit the application to the Portuguese government, but was able to do a lot of the other work himself. Bar Mitzvah Certificate 10-pack. Josh has been helping me on and off for a few years now. But you will not be able to request a passport with a letter from the Jewish Community alone. Critics of schemes like this suggest that, while it may help Portugal right a historical wrong (somewhat), it doesnt necessarily help Portugal advance. Make no mistake, there are a lot of documents and many of these need to be notarised and later apostilled. Until the 15th century, some Jews occupied very prominent places in Portuguese political and economic life. Those who wish to apply for a Sephardic heritage certificate can apply online at . According to larraurimarti.com, applicants will now also need to show A) The acquisition mortis causa of real estate located in Portugal, (or of rights of use and enjoyment of the same) B) the holding of shares or social participations in Portuguese trading companies or cooperatives, or C) Regular trips to Portugal throughout the applicants life. If you need to, click to watch our support tutorial. In such case, please provide proof of your genealogical relation despite the name change. For Trevor, the process was a long one. Excellent service, very friendly and helpful, fast responding and very patient. I just found this website! Depends on and is the responsibility of the Analysis Committee due final opinion, based on due historical analysis, and its process is subject to possible requests for additional documentation from this Committee. This 10-day tour guides you through Portugal's Jewish heritage, starting in quintessential villages like Marvo and Castelo de Vide, as well as the hillside medieval towns of Monsanto, and Sortelha. These returning Jews originally worshipped in their homes. Lisbon Synagogue was built in the early 1900s appropriately enough by Jews who had returned from a long exile in Morocco and Gibraltar. The Lisbon Jewish Community (CIL) has confirmed it will continue the process of certifying descendants of Sephardic Jews for the purposes of a law under which they can secure Portuguese nationality, despite the criminal investigation into alleged irregularities on the part of the Jewish Community of Porto (CIP) in the naturalisation of Roman - March 1, 2023. I can highly recommend these services! After the massacre the crown softened its New Christian stance for a time, allowing migration. Tilted walls covered in blue ceramic tiles will break up the white geometric exterior of Tikva, a Jewish museum that New York office Studio Libeskind is designing in the district of Belm in Lisbon. Certificate of Confirmation 10-pack. A part of the application involves submitting a letter in which you describe your motivations for obtaining Portuguese citizenship and your connections to Portugal. The JewishGen site is offered as a free public resource. You were a calming energy during a storm - always breathed a sigh of relief after speaking with you. Oh dear, like so many people in this post, I too would really appreciate a list of solicitors as well. Many have received their letter from the Jewish Community, but have not gone through the legal hurdles of processing their application for citizenship. These last two Jewish quarters were located in the vicinities of commercial ports and shipyards. If you are applying yourself, you can either send the documents or come to Portugal and submit them in person. Highly recommend. The Jewish community in Kobe, Japan compiled this list of European refugees and their relatives overseas, so that JDC can solicit aid from family members. Do you have any reputable ones that are successfully doing it for less? These were mostly marketers, from Gibraltar and Morocco (Tangier, Tetouan and Mogador) and some of their names still expressed the connection with their places of origin in the Iberian Peninsula, before the expulsion period. We have been working with Decker, Pex Ofir & Co - Law Firm in Tel Aviv for many years very well. $16.95. Be patient, but also start early, says Trevor, whose aunt is also now applying. While he was approved in November of 2018, around 3 years after he began the process, it wasnt until August of 2019 when he received his birth certificate and was able to apply for his passport. Personalized transport in a luxury Mercedes vehicle which is disinfected several times a day. The Jewish community is small in Lisbon, and kosher food has been extremely difficult to get in the city, often impossible in the past. Sometimes documents are hard to find as many have been destroyed, often on purpose. During the pandemic, my wife and I decided to move to Israel where I am originally from after living in the U.S. for over 20 years, but we had no idea how to go about securing visas before and after arriving in Israel. Since 1810 several houses of prayer existed in Lisbon, but these hardly met the necessary conditions for worship, as they were located in modest floors. The biggest mystery in this is which lawyer to pick and when do I need a lawyer, says Jonah. Birth certificate issued in the previous six months. Despite the expedited application, however, with research included the entire process still took around 17 months. June 17, 2022 . Private Jewish Heritage Tour of Lisbon. Since submitting his application, he has been able to trace the family tree back to Amsterdam and even back to Portugal. The Sephardic Heritage Project. Explained the bad clauses in the contract, and their possible consequences. Aiming to give their clients the advice possible regarding the normative and the law of Israel. Links. Go to the Junta da Freguesia. It will be a dream come true getting to live my life in Portuguese as my ancestors did.. Photos: Oded Kaizerman/Anash.org. Trevor was able to obtain the records via UCLA, who had copies of the records, but has since visited Bevis Marks and says that theyre very open to working with people who are trying to trace their heritage. [2]https://www.larraurimarti.com/en/amendments-portuguese-nationality-process-for-sephardimwindow.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_15863_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_15863_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });});. News. Once you have citizenship you can request your passport. We can help you turn that letter into a Portuguese citizenship. Once confirmed, theyll provide a certificate which you can submit with your application to the Portuguese government. Lisbon Jewish Community web site. I couldnt dealt with my situation without their professionalism and effectiveness. The Jewish Canadian Community Portuguese Citizenship Eligibility, The Portuguese Jewish community in Germany Entitlement to Portugal Citizenship, The Moroccan Expellee Community and Portuguese Citizenship, The Jewish community in Portugal Recommendation letter, Jewish Portuguese Citizenship for Spouses and Children, Multiple Names When Applying for Jewish Portuguese Citizenship, Applying for Jewish Portuguese Citizenship with a Criminal Record, Cost for Jewish Descendants to Obtain Portuguese Citizenship, How Long It Takes to Get Jewish Portuguese Citizenship, Documents for Jewish Portuguese Citizenship, Algerian Jewish expellees communities and eligibility for Portuguese citizenship, Greek Jews Spanish Jewish Expellees Eligible for Portuguese Citizenship, Famous Jews of Sephardic or Portuguese descent obtaining Portuguese citizenship. Big news! We were very pleased and content with the services of this law firm. They are always answering questions and support during the process. Despite the expulsion and the persecution of their ancestral territory, they have kept, along with their descendants, not only the Portuguese language, in some cases, but also the traditional rites of the ancient Jewish worship in Portugal, saving their surnames over generations, objects and documents proving their Portuguese origin, along with a strong memorial connection to Portugal. The Jewish Community of Porto certifies Jews from traditional families of the Sephardic communities of Portuguese origin, and the Jewish community of Lisbon also accepts applications from people who may not be Jewish or Sephardic today but whose genealogy shows some Sephardic connections to Portugal. Timeframes for the application vary, but most people should expect the process to take around 2 years. Jonah personally has helped five people in these groups with their applications. Wander through Shaare Tikva, Lisbon's synagogue, and learn about the history of various religions in the city. Thank you But are they worth it? We had started the process on our own back in November 2020 via the Jewish Agency and Nefesh BNefesh, but soon became entangled in the delays and often-changing regulations due to Covid-19. Many thanks in advance! While both Jonah and Trevor recommend sites like Ancestry.com, the main resource they recommend are the Facebook groups dedicated to the subject of Portuguese and Spanish Sephardic ancestry. When we started looking into her family, we saw her grandmother [Trevors great great grandmother] had the surname De Pinna and we thought maybe she wasnt entirely Jewish or maybe she was Italian? Google is your friend, just search for "junta da fregusia + your city" to find the nearest town hall. A valid and specific power of attorney (when not presented by the applicant himself). I feel most at home when Im in Lisbon, says Jonah, who has already spent time living in Portugal. Links to external websites do not constitute an endorsement. Nationality due to Sephardic progeny. Certificate to Prove Portuguese Sephardic Ancestry and Tradition. Ultimately, your goal is to put together clear evidence that you have Sephardic Jewish heritage. They are quick to respond, engaged, and obviously top-notch lawyers. Can I file a family application? They will not let you down, feel free to contact them. The services I have received for both our Israeli non profit association but also our social business have helped us solve many issues at hand and provided solutions in complicated situations. Visitors. As well as documents relating to his family tree, Jonah also submitted photos of his Bar Mitzvah, recipes that had been passed down through his family, and any other customs he could think of. Their dedication to every legal aspect and their drive its how a true lawyer house can be! By Decree-Law, it is mandatory to hold a certificate issued by the Portuguese Jewish Communities - duly registered locally under the status of religious legal entities, that is, the Jewish Communities of Lisbon (CIL) and of Porto (CIP). ThePortuguese Inquisition was formally established inPortugalin1536 under King Joo III and, althoughthe last public auto-da-f took place in 1765,was only extinguished in1821 when the country went through a constitutionalist insurrection. Neither CIL (the Lisbon community) nor CIP (the Porto community) make their records public, so in a sense youre doing things blind but, unfortunately, thats just a part of the process. Hotel pickup offered Mobile ticket After all, they were fleeing Portugal and Spain so its unlikely they would have wanted to maintain a tie to it. Important Jewish communities settled in this region and contributed to the flourishing of Its trade and culture. To find a microfilm: a. Click on this link to see a list of records for Portugal, Lisboa. c. Click on the town or city you wish to search. How do you get the access code if you are posting off documents? Was 100% satisfied. A big thank you to Irina especially from the Jerusalem office. Following a Russian oligarch scandal in 2022[1]https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60724509window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_15863_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_15863_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });});, the rules were tightened and this will ultimately make it more difficult for many people to claim their heritage this way. They supported us 100% and solved our case successfully, we couldn't be happier. I'm super glad of choosing Joshua Pex of Law office for immigration solution, lawyers to advise in my case, to me, it is remarkable. The registration certificate is mandatory for European Union and other citizens (*) intending to stay in Portugal for longer than 3 months. During the inquisition period, Jews were persecuted in Spain and Portugal. Joshua Pex was both an amazing human being and an inspiring human rights attorney. Portugal was one of the first world powers to recognize the Jewish people and has served as an important home for the community ever since. Thanks to Michael Decker and the other good people at the law office, as well as to the virtue of my ancestors, the cruelty of the Inquisition, reparations issued in the Iberian Peninsula, and etc, I am delighted to be on track for Portuguese and European Union Citizenship! Following the Alhambra Edict of 1492 and their persecution by theSpanish Inquisition, a very large number of Spanish Jews sought refuge in Portugal and joined the Portuguese Jewish communities. The rabbi was able to look at his parents ketubah (Jewish marriage contract) and was able to confirm that it was Sephardic. He was able to get his application expedited to less than 6 months as he was living in London, citing Brexit as the reason. Each member of the family, including the children, should file the application separately although, for the purpose of the certification issued by our community (step 1 above), having already checked the documentation of a member of the same family does make it easier to check the documentation. Closed on Shabbat, Jewish Holidays and Portuguese Bank Holidays. The price for the service was great! Such is the case of Conqui (from Cuenca, Cuenca Province) or Cardoso (from Cardoso, district of Viseu). He is completely trustworthy and high caliber in his work. ATTENTION: Filling out this form does not replace or dispense with the proper sending of documents namely - the complete pdf with OFFICIAL FORM duly completed and signed, the means of proof, identification documents (see list of documentation) and the required family tree. 30-A/2015 and 26/2022, which amended DL 237-A/2006. Things started moving once Mr. Pex came into the picture. After a little bit more research, we realised that it was a Portuguese-Jewish surname., For Jonah Salita, also from the US and living in London, it was less of a surprise. Opened in 1904, the synagogue was named Shaare Tikva, which means Gates of Hope . I really appreciate his courteous and direct approach. The designation of Sephardic Jews refers to the descendants of the ancient Jews and traditional Jewish communities of the Iberian Peninsula (SefaradorHispania), that is, Portugal and Spain. My step-mother (who adopted me at age 4 -- I'm 55 yrs old) has been eligible for citizenship (her brother already got citizenship in spain); i'm wondering if, as an adoptee, I am eligible for citizenship? She was very professional in all her dealings and kept us informed all the way. I will take a look at all of the Facebook groups you mentioned. I think I paid around 2,000 in the end, says Trevor, which isnt nothing, but I would rather know that this is going to happen rather than being stuck in limbo forever.. By chance when his parents visited Lisbon for their 25th wedding anniversary, a tour guide mentioned this new law that Portugal had passed to allow Sephardic Jews to regain their citizenship. It was the best decision choosing you as my lawyer. Spouses may apply later for citizenship through the Portuguese Central Registry Office, not under this law amendment or its provisions but as any foreign spouse of a Portuguese citizen. For example, duringpassover, his family would always eat rice, something that is very specific to Sephardic Jews. I dont think this law will be around forever, says Jonah. The service is very professional and efficient, the price is right. I've got Austrian citizenship in 4 months for all family members which consists of 12 people! The Jewish Federation of New Mexico will be accepting applications until the Spanish law expires on Oct. 1, 2018. We will be applying from the US. As well as legal fees, the application fee for citizenship costs around 200, which doesnt include the cost of applying for a passport. Personally, I am grateful for support in visa issues as a foreigner living now in Israel for many years. Learn how your comment data is processed. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. With well trained and professional secretary at the front desk to the lawyers team, I could say that I had one of the most professional services possible. Very much recommended! Since 1914, we've put Jewish values into action to save lives and strengthen communities. Some hid their practice of Judaism over the years and are generally designated as secret, hidden or crypto-Jews. Donate. The next stage, researching the family tree, will take considerably longer. There are 7 steps involved, and you will be able to see what stage your application is at. However, King Manuel I of Portugal, who had initially issued a royal-decree law guaranteeing their protection, ordered in 1496 the expulsion of all Jews thatdid not convert to Catholicism. Birth certificates of ancestors that indicate they were a Sephardic Jew. Reason why it was called Hebrew Colony, as happened to the English or German colonies. Hope to work with you in the future, and will send everyone I know in need of legal aid your way. administrativo@cilisboa.org info@cilisboa.org. Parallel to their rapid and successful integration in the Portuguese living, the first groups of Jews immediately sought to organize as such, creating prayer rooms and acquiring land to bury the dead according to the Jewish ritual. A legal team that is friendly and cares for a superb result The Jewish quarters were located inside castle walls and were named Big Jewish quarter, Small Jewish quarter and Jewish quarter of Alfama. Tribunals were set up in a number of towns in Portugal, but also in the kingdoms overseas possessions, namely Brazil, Goa and Cape Verde. But, despite that stumbling block, both Trevor and Jonah have developed strong ties to Portugal. Gratitude, God has blessed us with wonderful beings who have accompanied us, including a "precious angel" who touched our hearts, our excellent and fantastic lawyer: Maria Chernin Dekel, sweet and wonderful human being, who has guided us and stayed On our side. When finished, be sure to indicate the link for your transfer in the field below. Irena Rosenberg and Michael Decker worked on my case, they are very professional and helpful. After surnames, the next best place to start is relatives, particularly older ones. A while ago, visitors who eat only kosher food were required to bring back from home their own products to eat. Hi James, Finding a good lawyer and knowing when you need one is hard.. Married to a Portuguese Citizen? JDC is the leading global Jewish humanitarian organization. I highly recommend this firm, especially Oded Ger. I am interested in finding some good lawyers who speak English. You will be asked to donate (Porto: 250 - Lisbon: 500) to the Jewish Community that will issue the Sephardi Ancestry Certificate. Thanks so much for the useful information. They knew exactly how to handle my situation effectively and efficiently, and we got the result I needed without much fuss. Visit to Shaar Tikva, the synagogue of Lisbon. We were in a devastating situation when my wife received an order from the immigration office to leave Israel within 30 days, without any explanation, after we have been married and in the process for six and a half years. Do I have to speak Portuguese? Often it depends on your specific circumstances. Please note that our internal Experts Committee verifies the information provided but does not run genealogical studies itself. He helped us several times to understand what was likely and unlikely to occur as the next step. Helping us manage our expectations was extremely useful to us.
jewish community lisbon certificate