María Tajadura I Jaén, (EFE).- Six centuries after the expulsion of the Jews from Spain, by virtue of the decree signed by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492, the Sephardim still keep the memory alive and return to the land where their ancestors lived to know its origin leaving resentments aside.
This is the case of León Shocrón, great-grandson of the great rabbi Sabetay Djaén. That during these days he visits Jaén to walk through the Jewish quarter and inquire about the life of his ancestor. That he played a fundamental role at the beginning of the century by defending the Sephardim within the Zionist communities.
The Jewish-Spanish playwright Sabetay Djaén, who was born in Bulgaria although he never forgot his Spanish origin in 1935, is honored by President Niceto Alcalá Zamora. With the Order of the Commander of the Republic. For his immense and valuable work in defense of the Sephardic Jews so that the expulsion decree be repealed.
Sabetay had such an influence in Jaén that he was named Favorite Son and received the city’s Gold Medal. And he continues to be remembered, for example, when one of the city’s buildings, the Popular Municipal University (UPM) located in the Jewish quarter, takes his name ‘Sede Sabetay’. A sign that is admired by his great-granddaughter when he walks through this area of Jaén.
kicked out ancestors
León draws attention to a detail that goes unnoticed by passers-by outside the Jewish tradition. When he recounts that on one of the signs that mark the course, with the word ‘Jewish quarter’ and the classic symbol of the ‘Star of David’. The star is totally damaged with black spray, but then someone painted a heart on the other side.
“This fact shows that intolerant groups continue to coexist with groups that advocate multiculturalism. But much progress has been made and there are more and more Jewish communities,” León Shocrón explained to EFE.
Fulfilling the illusion of their expelled ancestors who took the keys to their houses with the hope that one day they would return, currently descendants of those ‘Sefradim’, or ‘Spaniards’ in Hebrew, return from Morocco. Latin American countries and Europe, to settle permanently in our country.
It is estimated that the Jewish community oscillates between 15,000 and 40,000 in Spain. Living a minimum part in Andalusia, especially in Malaga, and concentrating the majority in Madrid and Barcelona.
These communities are experiencing tremendous growth. And, little by little, they are consolidating thanks to the protest actions that began at the beginning of the 20th century, with the participation of the Chief Rabbi Sabetay Djaen. Until recent times with legislation that recognizes the Sephardim as Spaniards.
The three cultures of Jaén
“Of course, the Spanish political spectrum has generally given very positive actions, like the previous ones. And also some very negative ones and clearly anti-Semitic” says this businessman born in Argentina. That he defines himself as a Sephardic Jew and that he also contributes his bit in defense of his ancestors.
Thus, it forms an active part of the Socio Cultural Association ‘Iuventa’, directed by Rafael Cámara, and whose objective is to value the three cultures that Jaén houses: the Christian, the Muslim and the Jewish, which are flourishing and leaving their mark, Thanks to the fact that a large part of the population wants to claim their customs and traditions, in fact, Jaén already belongs to the National Network of Jewish Quarters.
“I firmly believe that the obligation of all of us is, without ceasing to see the bad that still exists in different parts of society, to promote the good, build from pluralism and contribute to progress, growth and integration” concluded León Shocrón. EFE