Iberia to America: Jewish Life through Jewish Music

In 1492, even as they were attempting to eradicate Jews from the Iberian Peninsula—ending the Golden Age of Spanish Jewry—Ferdinand and Isabella inadvertently set into motion events that would lead to the founding of a lasting safe haven and new golden age of Jewry.

This month, we explore the origins, artistry and lasting impact of the Sephardi Jewish people with a special two-part episode of American Jewish Music from the Milken Archive with Leonard Nimoy, now streaming on our website.

Some of the Sephardi Jews exiled during the Inquisition traveled to Amsterdam, then to Brazil before establishing the first Jewish communities in North America. They also created the first Jewish music in the new world, incorporating Hebrew, Ladino and English to maintain traditions and document their journeys.

Listen now to: American Jewish Music from the Milken Archive with Leonard Nimoy Episode 9: Sephardi Influence

With works that recount the injustices of the 1490s, that celebrate the achievements of the great medieval poets, and that pay tribute to the plight of the marranos—the Jews who chose to publicly convert to Christianity but continued to practice Judaism in secret—this program puts into context the experience and legacy of Sephardi Jews in America.

With insight and commentary from Gerard Schwarz and Neil W. Levin, these works by Marvin Levy, Bruce Adolphe, Simon Sargon, Aaron Bensoussan, Lazare Saminsky and Sam Adler—who dedicated his composition, Muse, to Milken Archive Founder Lowell Milken—collectively tell an international story that is uniquely American.

Related Content from the Milken Archive and Beyond

Marranos A behind-the-scenes look at our klezmer recordings with David Krakauer, Gerard Schwarz and others.

Morocco Bruce Adolphe elucidates Mikhoels the Wise, and recalls how David Krakauer discovered klezmer.

Movie Music Ofer Ben-Amots and Karl Rickenbacher discuss the inspiration behind "Celestial Dialouges."