How long does it take? Contact us. 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. They also both provide a bullet-point list to guide you through the application. Power of attorney 4. He was able to get his application expedited to less than 6 months as he was living in London, citing Brexit as the reason. Incredibly knowledgeable, approachable, accessible, and evident across the board that they truly care about the people they are helping. The price for the service was great! One day while looking at a photo of his grandfathers family, he was struck by how similar his relatives looked to hers. The team at Decker, Pex, Ofir & Co have been awesome to work with in helping our US company establish banking in Israel and in providing counsel for legal needs in Israel. Included are names, ages, birth information, profession, citizenship of refugees, as well as the names and addresses of relatives abroad. 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. I will take a look at all of the Facebook groups you mentioned. They were people with an above average cultural level, knowing how to read and write and speaking, besides the liturgical Hebrew, Arabic or English and the Haketia, jewish-hispanic-moroccan dialect. The first step towards the official recognition of the Hebrew Community of Lisbon dates back to 1868, when a license is conceded by the Government, through a charter from D.Lus giving the Jews of Lisbon permission to install a cemetery for the burial of their coreligionists. This coming, increasingly growing, may give a new configuration to the Jewish community in Portugal. Go to the Junta da Freguesia. Learn how your comment data is processed. . One of the country's most interesting remote villages is Belmonte, 3 hours by car from Lisbon, where in 1917, a Polish mining engineer named Samuel Schwarz discovered a community of Jews still living in secret for over 500 years. If you are applying yourself, you can either send the documents or come to Portugal and submit them in person. . 30-A/2015 and 26/2022 which amended DL 237-A/2006, where is approaved the Regulation of Portuguese Natioanlity concession for descendants of Jews of Sephardic origin. 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 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. Thankfully for Trevors aunt, family members who have the same family tree typically have a faster application process once one family member has already been accepted. All the legal requirements regarding the application of descendants of Sephardic Jews of Portuguese origin for Portuguese nationality (through naturalization) are clearly defined and stated in thePortuguese Decree-Law 30-A/2015and 26/2022 , which amended DL 237-A/2006 in which the Regulation on Portuguese Nationality is approved. jewish community lisbon certificate. Oded Ger did an excellent job by reviewing a modeling contract I was offered. 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? 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. I really appreciate his courteous and direct approach. Unfortunately, however, this route isnt as easy as it once was. Birth certificate issued in the previous six months. In 1143, when King D. Afonso Henriques received recognition of Portugal as an independent kingdom, the Jews had been present on the Iberian Peninsula for over a millennium. 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. Lisbon Jewish Community - Official Site . A part of the application involves submitting a letter in which you describe your motivations for obtaining Portuguese citizenship and your connections to Portugal. In Jonahs letter, he mentioned all the Sephardic rituals his family practiced. We highly recommend Advocate Joshua Pex! For example, duringpassover, his family would always eat rice, something that is very specific to Sephardic Jews. These donations will be used in the development and maintenance of our services and activities which guarantee the continuation of culture and traditions in our jewish community, as well as in the Portuguese society in general, through several solidarity programs with whom the community contributes. - March 1, 2023. The registration certificate is mandatory for European Union and other citizens (*) intending to stay in Portugal for longer than 3 months. Links. The JewishGen site is offered as a free public resource. Later, in 1916, this association will open the Hebrew Hospital that came to play such an important role in supporting the Jewish refugees during the 2nd World War. Another important step to the constitution of the present Jewish community of Lisbon is taken in 1894 with the holding of a general meeting of the Jews of Lisbon in order to unify the Shehit services (Ritual slaughter and provisioning of Kosher meat). Finding a good lawyer and knowing when you need one is hard.. 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. He first contacted the Portuguese Law Firm in the Autumn of 2015 and then, once he had carried out sufficient research, was able to submit his application around a year later. These institutions played a crucial role in the unity and organization of the Portuguese Judaism. Certificate of Confirmation 10-pack. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Visit to Shaar Tikva, the synagogue of Lisbon. In June 1941 Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the future Lubavitcher Rebbe, arrived in Lisbon together with his wife, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka (Moussia). Closed on Shabbat, Jewish Holidays and Portuguese Bank Holidays. Lisbon Jewish Community web site. I dont think this law will be around forever, says Jonah. Josh has been helping me on and off for a few years now. The government may accept three types of documents. Construction of the Shaar Tikv Synagogue. 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. Joshua Pex was both an amazing human being and an inspiring human rights attorney. Could you please also send me a list of the lawyers you recommend. We are now happily living in Israel and are so grateful to have Irena who is a genuinely nice person as our lawyer. Did anyone get the Portuguese nationality yet? I am a Jewish, 80-year-old American, and my wife is not Jewish. Accomodations Meals Other entrance fees. Personal family name, records and documents (including image, video and audio) of family ceremonies,weddings, burials, registration at Jewish communities, birth certificates, property deeds, bibliography and book quotes, copies of inquisition archives and alike. For Trevor, he doesnt have any immediate plans to live there due to work commitments in London but he still reminisces of a trip he took to Portugal several years ago. Working in European market and international now, I couldnt dare to let myself wide my wings on countries unknown to me. All the applications and attached documents/means of proof are kept in our records for future reference and a list of all issued certificates is sent monthly to the Portuguese Ministry of Justice. Owner: Comunidade Israelita de Lisboa (CIL), Agency: Marqus de Pombal (Lisboa - Portugal), New applicants and general information - click here, Phones:+351 213 931 130 (Portuguese/English). 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. 30-A/2015 and 26/2022, which amended DL 237-A/2006. A big thank you to Irina especially from the Jerusalem office. Both have slightly different requirements, and theres a lot of debate on the Facebook groups as to which one is better. Timeframes for the application vary, but most people should expect the process to take around 2 years. The Jewish quarters were located inside castle walls and were named Big Jewish quarter, Small Jewish quarter and Jewish quarter of Alfama. B-Mitzvah Gender Neutral Certificate 5-pack. The Inquisition focused its attention on New Christians and crypto-Jews. The rabbi was able to look at his parents ketubah (Jewish marriage contract) and was able to confirm that it was Sephardic. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The smaller Jewish communities of Lisbon and Porto are the only organizations that can approve applications, which must show ties to one of them. Born in Brazil, Rabbi Peres grew up in New York and received ordination there as well as from Chacham Pinchas . 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. With a magnificent view over the city, it was the site chosen . Do I have to speak Portuguese? The Portuguese government place authority upon them to vet applicants and certify them based on historical documentation as descendants of Sephardic Jews. 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. We can help you turn that letter into a Portuguese citizenship. They are always answering questions and support during the process. I believe my son can get all necessary documents to qualify for. 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. $32.95. But since the turn of the 21st century it has been experiencing a renaissance of its Jewish life. His grandmothers grandmother was British and belonged to the Bevis Marks Synagogue in London. Petition to one of the Jewish Communities (Lisbon or Porto) is just the first stage of the process. ( New York Jewish Week) - A missed connection on the Brooklyn-bound 2 subway train sent the Jewish internet into a spiral this week, after stand-up comedian Chani Lisbon and her friend Yael. 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. Married partners unfortunately dont get an automatic right to Portuguese citizenship as part of the Sephardic Citizenship scheme but may be able to apply for citizenship via the normal marriage or partner route once their partner obtains theirs. Documents from when your ancestors arrived in their current country. Google is your friend, just search for "junta da fregusia + your city" to find the nearest town hall. * We remind that this pre-analysis is not binding and definitive and does not mean the final approval of your process, checking in advance whether the process is eligible for due study and historical analysis in order to apply for Portuguese Nationality based on Decree-Law no. Theres a lot of waiting involved. (list of documentation) The Portuguese Government may grant nationality to descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews [over 18 years old] who demonstrate a traditional connection to a Community with Portuguese Sephardic origins, based on proven objective requirements of a connection with Portugal, such as family names, family language, direct or collateral ancestry.. Since 1914, we've put Jewish values into action to save lives and strengthen communities. 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. In such case, please provide proof of your genealogical relation despite the name change. JDC events and trips offer a rare window into corners of the global Jewish community that often go unseen, and an opportunity to witness firsthand the life-changing impact JDC makes every day . The documents must be translated, notarized, and sealed with an apostille (validation. Be patient, but also start early, says Trevor, whose aunt is also now applying. We were very pleased and content with the services of this law firm. 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. Make no mistake, there are a lot of documents and many of these need to be notarised and later apostilled. I have found a firm that sounds good, though, charges 5,000 euros for the whole process. Certified Document Proving Sephardic Jewish Heritage Portuguese authorities will accept proof of Sephardic Jewish heritage if one obtains a certificate from the Portuguese Jewish community in either Porto or Lisbon. Click here to get in contact with us. Consequently, they are often referred to as Portuguese Jews or Jews of the Portuguese Nation. The outbreak of 2nd World War, the neutrality policy that Portugal followed under the alliance with England and the granting of transit visas to close to one hundred thousand refugees, lead to an influx of tens of thousands of Jews to Portugal. ECONOMIC KITCHEN (COZINHA ECONMICA): founded in 1899 it played, just like the Hebrew Hospital, a crucial role during the 2nd World War. A Committee of Experts in Jewish Sephardic genealogy and the historical routes of the Jewish Iberian Diaspora to evaluate the provided means of proof. The service is amazing! And. Do I have to hire the services of a lawyer? Today, Portugal is home to between 5,000 and 6,000 Jews with the majority in Lisbon and Porto, whose communities have around 500 formal members each. The Lisbon Jewish Community (CIL) has confirmed that 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 Absolutely certainty means knowing all the facts about them, including their birth date, death date, marriage date, country of origin, and original full name. It's a great way to share success, ask questions, and stay informed of the happenings throughout the Jewish genealogical community. Personalized transport in a luxury Mercedes vehicle which is disinfected several times a day. 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. 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.. After Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich had obtained a recommendation for Portuguese citizenship, the community Rabbi was arrested for charges of corruption, and the process of ascertaining who has Sephardic roots will be removed from the purview of the Jewish communities in Portugal in the near future. My Passover seder this year was spent in the company of the small Reform Jewish community in Lisbon, Portugal. Please check with our Customer Service information about donations to do this process. To find a microfilm: a. Click on this link to see a list of records for Portugal, Lisboa. In the past, obtaining citizenship this way was simply a case of tracing your family tree back to your Sephardic ancestors. I've got Austrian citizenship in 4 months for all family members which consists of 12 people! The current Hebrew community of Lisbon originates from the groups of Sephardic Jews who settled in Portugal in the beginning of the 19th century. Portuguese ID documents, such as passports, may then be issued by the nearest Portuguese Consulate. We request that you complete this DIGITAL FORM in order to facilitate and speed up the process of identification and *pre-analysis (non-binding) of the process submitted by the applicant. He is trustworthy, fair, and goes above and beyond to advocate for the vulnerable. Consequently, it is hardly news that Jewish quarters existed in Lisbon. That evidence, along with your family tree, is submitted to the Portuguese Jewish community in either Porto or Lisbon. Excellent service, very friendly and helpful, fast responding and very patient. The certification period of the Jewish Community of Lisbon varies and will depend on the quality and organization of the documentation with which the process is submitted by the applicant and the degree of complexity of the respective process. My grandmothers family was Jewish and we knew about the Jewish background, but she was not religious. Their dedication to every legal aspect and their drive its how a true lawyer house can be! If youre not sure whether youre your surname is potentially Sephardic or not, take a look at Sephardim.co. Once you have citizenship you can request your passport. We bless and thank the entire team at Decker Pex Tal Ofir Law Firm. It is so difficult to get straight answers from the Misrad Hapnim, but you guys are straight shooters. Sometimes documents are hard to find as many have been destroyed, often on purpose. Can my spouse be granted nationality as well? Usually, we expect a pre-approval from the Porto Jewish Community roughly around 48 hours after the Lisbon Jewish Community roughly around 45 days after applying. But are they worth it? Thank you for your guidance and support. After surnames, the next best place to start is relatives, particularly older ones. We belong to a Synagogue. competent consulting, fast processing, reliable, warm & good team. Thank you. 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. A while ago, visitors who eat only kosher food were required to bring back from home their own products to eat. Located at the number 59 of Alexandre Herculano Street, it had to be built inside a walled yard, since it was not allowed the construction with frontage to the public road of temples not of Catholic religion, then the official religion of the State. Hi James, Do you have any reputable ones that are successfully doing it for less? Not being able to obtain the legalization of the community, the Jews from Lisbon created, especially during the second half of the 19th century, charities in the form of autonomous organizations, whose statutes were subject to approval by the civil government, or in the form of private foundations, usually managed by ladies. ? and the Hebrew Hospital, providing at a daily basis food, clothing and health care to the refugees. International Association of Jewish Genealogy Associations. Please note that our internal Experts Committee verifies the information provided but does not run genealogical studies itself. My wife and I strongly recommend anyone planning to go through this process seriously consider hiring Decker, Pex, Ofir & Co. and, specifically, Ariel Galili. If you need to, click to watch our support tutorial. Oh dear, like so many people in this post, I too would really appreciate a list of solicitors as well. Personally, I am grateful for support in visa issues as a foreigner living now in Israel for many years. It meant that people from all over the world could easily obtain a second passport, many of whom had never been to Portugal. It brings together the Jews of Lisbon. All files sent digitally must be accompanied by a SINGLE file with the necessary documents, in PDF, A4 format, Lisbon prosecutors and police searched Oporto's synagogue, the Jewish Museum and the houses of Jewish leaders. Criminal records certificatesissued by the applicants country of birth and countries in which he has resided more than one year, within the previous ninety days. We had a pleasure of working with Irena Rosenberg who assisted in getting our two U.S. born children registered in Israel and supported visa process for my wife in 2021. Despite the expedited application, however, with research included the entire process still took around 17 months. Rua Alexandre Herculano, 59 Lisbon 1250-010. Thus, many Sephardic Jews were forced into exile and compelled to leave Portugal from the late fifteenth and early sixteenthcentury onwards, including thosewho had converted to Catholicism the conversos, also known as New Christians, Anusim or Marranos. This document indicates that the Portuguese Jewish community recognizes the individual as having Portuguese heritage. Thanks so much for the useful information. Shaar Tikvah S ynagogue. Best lawyer house from Israel! A simple letter will do. They are doing outstanding work. Certificate to Prove Portuguese Sephardic Ancestry and Tradition. A birth certificate (including name and parents name, proof of name changes when applicable, place and date of birth). At that point, he decided to investigate further. For this reason, its a good idea to submit other evidence as well. I was impressed with his incredibly solid character. 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. Since submitting his application, he has been able to trace the family tree back to Amsterdam and even back to Portugal. Their dedication to every legal aspect and their drive its how a true lawyer house can be! But from that time, the community will suffer, due to the European events, a profound change both in its action and in its composition. This single document is seen as the most important document in the process. Very much recommended! Nationality due to Sephardic progeny. We definitely recommend using them. Reason why it was called Hebrew Colony, as happened to the English or German colonies. Sephardic Community Allliance. June 17, 2022 . Visitors. Because we appreciated their lawyers services, we recommended businesses and individuals again and again to go there as well. The project, called Tikvah (Hebrew for "hope"),consists of a 41,645-square-foot structure created in collaboration with local architect Miguel . I just found this website! But you will not be able to request a passport with a letter from the Jewish Community alone. Applying for membership in Lisbon and Porto's official Jewish community costs $300-$560 and is a required step for a Jew to become a Portuguese citizen under the 2013 law. You will need a lot more than that. You may obtain further and accurate information at the nearest Portuguese Consulate. Otherwise you will loose hours/days/weeks with things that they can solve in minutes. A valid and specific power of attorney (when not presented by the applicant himself). Hi James, Furthermore, following the recent scandal, the government of Portugal may choose a different authority to veto the descent of prospective applicants. I know that my son can qualify for Portuguese Citizenship because all our ancestors are Sephardic and spoke Ladino. We are very happy with the services. This is at no additional cost to you and it does not affect our editorial standards in any way. Full passport copy certified by a Portuguese Consulate or apostilled 3. Genealogical According to the Conservatria dos Registos Centrais the certificates issued by the Jewish communities must be followed by the applicants genealogical tree. Their patience, clear explanation and experience are very valuable. When you hear Decker,Pex,Ofir &Co, you hear 10+ class services, luxurious professionals, confidentiality and exclusive attention to your needs. James Cave / Last Updated: June 10, 2020 / Posted in: Sephardic Jewish Heritage? Private Jewish Heritage Tour of Lisbon. Testimonial to be provided either/or by external experts, your Sephardic communitys rabbi, people who know the applicant, etc. 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.

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