A living example of an almost
forgotten chapter of our shared Portuguese history. She is a descendant
of hidden and secret Jews of Portugal who returned to orthodox Judaism and
has devoted much of her time in educating/writing and speaking on the subject
world-wide.
A passionate and articulate speaker, she has lectured widely on her own
personal journey as well as historical figures of Portugal who made a lasting
impression on Portuguese-Jewish history.
Some of the Talks:
A Journey: Full Circle
Walking In The Footsteps Of Our Forefathers
Honoring Our Ancestors
Celebrating Our Portuguese-Jewish History Saudades: The Next 500 Years.
Building bridges with........Lemba, Albanian
Refugees and Tel'Hai Youth Towns.
She often describes her personal story as "a journey: full circle", and
continues to be an inspiration to the many Bnai Anusim world-wide.
A catalyst in this field, she is available to speak at functions, schools,
colleges, universities, synagogues, churches as well as private, religious
or secular groups anywhere in the world by emailing
Click here for Booking
Tel : 27-11-447-5721
Fax : 27- 11- 880-2962
PO Box 85359, Emmarentia, 2029 JHB,
South Africa
" Rufina spoke to the Hillel students, who
were moved and fascinated by her story. Our Hillel program will be stronger
as a result of the students having the opportunity to be educated first-hand
by such a dynamic speaker" Hillel Council.
"Rufina had us with tears running down our cheeks as we traveled the journey
of discovering her roots..... and when she found she had "come home"....
we were right there with her all the way.. ..... an unforgettable evening
- a remarkable woman of charm and sensitivity" ~ Sylvia Magid, The Star
"Rufina held her audience spell-bound for the entire evening. Her story
opening a whole new world for most of us ..... we were loath to see her
go" ~Second Innings .
"I have attended functions where Rufina has appeared on TV , spoken at
a huge convention and given a small intimate discussion: each time I was
charmed by her magic and ability to have her audience eat out of her hand
A most remarkably versatile personality" ~ Jewish News.
"Rufina's talk entitled Walking In The Footsteps Of Our Forefathers, kept
us spell-bound for almost two hours. An amazing person and an outstanding
speaker" ~, Club 74
"Rufina shared her story with charm and grace. She told the moving account
of her incredible journey of discovery with sensitivity" Yichus .
"Visiting your site always reaches into my inner soul.You write so beautifully,
expressing inner thoughts that may have been felt by our ancestors...
heart's with tears. Thank you for all you have done" .
" Some day, after you are long dead and long forgotten, there will be
a Portuguese Jewish community..... ....saudades will be their Shema".
" Thank you for your poems and sharing your Sephardic soul with us".
" You have become our crypto-Judaic leader, helping to recover our roots,
re-kindling the light of Judaism, even those whose flame was extinguished
by others..... I cried as I read your writings, because they are so clearly
what I felt inside my heart."
"A curious thing is the fact that I never knew there were any Jews that
were Portuguese much less from the Azores or the Madeira Islands until
I met Rufina."
|
