In Spain, a Powerful Sign of Jewish Revival

Andres Mosquera on the right

 All three members of this year's graduating class at the rabbinical seminary run by the Reform movement in Argentina happened to be from Spain. And one of these graduates is former IJC member Andrés Mosquera. It was a great reason to hold the first ordination ceremony in Spain in more than 500 years.

About 10 years ago, Spain passed a law offering citizenship to the descendants of Sephardi Jews expelled during the Inquisition. As many Jews, especially from Israel and South America, have taken up the offer, the composition of the local Jewish community has changed dramatically, providing the Reform movement with an opportunity to expand its reach.

"The renewal of the Spanish Jewish community and its growing diversity has really opened doors for us," noted Rabbi Sergio Bergman, who attended and helped organize the ordination ceremony in Madrid.

Until recently, Spanish Jews interested in becoming rabbis needed to uproot themselves and study at seminaries abroad, where they would be ordained. Since all three members of this year's graduating class at the IberoAmerican Institute happened to be from Spain, an unusual opportunity arose to hold the ceremony on their home turf.

Read more about this recent joyous event here.