Guestbook Archive

Subject: Rufina/saudades
O website é um encanto e um sucesso. É uma revelação, para mim, o fato de que tantos judeus e descendentes estejam persistentemente procurando suas raizes, e que existam trabalhos bonitos como o seu. Parabens!
Silvia Levy -- sillevy@amcham.com.br -- 9/8/98

Subject: Saudades
I compliment you on such a wonderful resource. I have forwarded much of this information to my mother. She remembers many of the people from Sao Miguel where she was born (Ruth Gloria Cordeiro) and we are passing it along to the rest of the family. She remembers going to the synagogue in Ponta Delgado and the Delmar family. We will definitely be looking here for more information. Muito obrigada.
Patricia Dugan -- 105632.3653@compuserve.com -- 9/6/98

Subject: Sephardic Jews
This is wonderful piece. I have recently become very interested in finding out more about my ancestors. All of whom are from Madeira, where I was born as well. In reading through these pages, I discovered that my maiden name (Ferreira) was on the list of Sephardic surnames. And also discovered that there is an abandoned Jewish cemetry on the island of Madeira. Since that time I have been trying to research the history of Portuguese jews, unfortuately the resources are slim especially in English. I am very interested in learnng about Jews on the island of Madeira. My possible heritage of Sephardic jews is significant and meaningfull to me especially since my son recently celebrated his bar mitzvah. Thank you for your wonderful contribution.
Maria Horn -- Vtmch@aol.com -- 9/3/98

Subject: Visit to Saudades
I am a descendent of the Navarros and Sollas some of who were forced to conversion. I visit you page briefly but I will come back soon. I also subscribed Anusim as of today. Shalom Luis
Luis Lacerda -- lulak@mail.eunet.pt -- 8/28/98

Subject: Mazel Tov on a job well done
May I say a collective thank you to Rufina for her hard work and dedication to the Saudades Page and to the new and improve format and look. I too would like to hear from you if you want to help in the effort to make Saudades and its stories and history common knowledge to as many people as possible. It is a fascinating and inspiring story about those who came, remained or left Sepahard. Certainly, it should not be forgotten or overlooked. It is nice to see new entries to the guest book almost daily. Encourage friends to visit the site and to share it with their families and colleagues. Best wishes to all-we all share a Common Saudades, Steve Gorban
Steve Gorban -- sgorban@jun.com -- 8/15/98

Subject:
Dear Rufina (Bernadetti) Have visited Saudades for the first time and was transported to a world of which I was not aware. I am so proud of what you have achieved and am honoured to be your friend.
Annette Sacher -- anetsacher@compuserve.com -- 8/14/98

Subject: Congatulations for your web page!
Dear Friend I have been learning so much with Lusaweb and mainly because of the Sephardic informations. I have been searching about my ancestors who some of them came from Portugal/Spain and they were Jewish(Sephardic)(MANUEL DE CARVALHO CARREGOSA)arriving in Brazil by the 17th century, and building a place where today are the cities of SIMAO DIAS (before ANAPOLIS), LAGARTO, state of SERGIPE(BRAZIL), and the city of PARIPIRANGA-state of BAHIA-BRAZIL. These cities are located in the northeast coast of Brazil. Please if someone have more informations about the Carvalhos and Carregosa please email me at: DORTAS@AOL.COM Also I am looking for informations about the families surnames: Freire, Fonseca, Andrade, DORTAS, Souza, Vieira, Matos, Matos Freire. Thanks Edvaldo S Dortas Carvalho. Please email in English, Portuguese or Spanish.
Edvaldo Souza Dortas Carvalho -- DORTAS@AOL.com -- 8/13/98

Subject: Hidden Heritage book
My thanks to everyone who shared their history with me for my book on people who discovered they are of Jewish ancestry. Most asked to remain anonymous, which was fine. My September deadline is approaching, and I continue to be excited and admiring of everyone who values their background. Congratulations, Rufina, on this productive site. Shanah tovah. BK
barbara kessel -- kesselb.bje@jon.cjfny.org -- 8/9/98

Subject: Congratulations!
Congratulations! Your 'Saudades' looks and reads so much better! You are truly evolving in all directions. I am very happy with what I see and look forward to seeing more. I will be back to visit regularly, being Sephardic, as I've already stated in an earlier post. I am new to this, but feel it no less, I proudly wear the name of the Sephardim! My central names are Pereira, Machado, Garcia and Thomas. What a mystically romantic dream we live within. Keep up the good work my dearest Rufina! I look forward to interacting with anyone Sephardic or other Jewish in love with this aspect of our Jewish heritage. Abraços e beijinhos, Adeushalom, --- T'om
Jim (Teomim) Thomas -- jpt@sj.bigger.net -- 8/9/98

Subject: Kulanu Meeting in Washington DC
I too am searching for my family roots in Spain - so I am very interested in the conferences being held re the Jews in Spain and Portugal. The family names being researched are Abeyta, Moya, y Montoya. I was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico so I have a great deal of interest in the Crypto Jews of that area. If it is possible I would like to see papers that were presented at the above conference - as well as agenda. Your website is great - good luck on the nest 500 years. pat
Pat Blumenthal -- pblumenthal@earthlink.net -- 8/8/98

Subject: PORTUGUESE HISTORY
Hello, I have lived in the US for since 1973 and never really got to learn much about Portuguese History, the little that I sometimes here about seems to be quite facinating. If you could give me some insight on where to go or how to learn more about our beautiful country I would appreciate it very much. Also, I'm trying to hold on to the little Portuguese that I still remember and it is getting more difficult since I don't use it as much these days. Thank you, Marie Esperanca (Cunha) English
MARIE (CUNHA) ENGLISH -- FOOL4164@AOL.COM -- 8/4/98

Subject: Remembering
Please remember the bombing of the Beunos Aires Jewish Community Center...... on the 18th July marks the fourth anniversary of this heinous crime against our cousins. Frank Longoria has paid tribute to the victims on his website ; http://www.star.telegram.com/homes/longoria/victims.htm
Rufina Bernardetti Silva Mausenbaum -- rufina@netactive.co.za -- 7/12/99

Subject: New Sephardic/Crypto /Portuguese website
Inacio Steinhardt, well known writer, historian and lover of the Sephardic and Crypto history of Portugal has a new website that is worth a vist. http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/1514/ inacio@cheerful.com
Rufina -- rufina@netactive.co.za -- 7/4/98

Subject: Sephardic Heritage Award
Sephardic House hosted a special Cocktail Reception in May, honoring Mr Nico Castel, Tenor at The Metropolitan Opera House and a performer of Ladino music. Mr Castiel received The Sephardic Musical Heritage Award in recognition of his efforts to preserve the Ladino Language. The award was presented to him by Ambassador Nuno Lorena, Consul General of Portugal in New York. Mr Castiel was born in Portugal and grew up in Venezuela. He comes from a celebrated family of Sephardic rabbis and scholars tracing their roots to Iberia. The event took place at the Spanish Institute at Park Avenue, NYC.
Rufina Bernardetti Silva Mausenbaum -- rufina@netactive.co.za -- 6/19/98

Subject: Remembering
The Autonomous Government of the Azores generously offered to give a matching grant of $30,000 for the restoration of the oldest remaining Jewish synagogue in San Miguel which dates back to the 1800's. Make your tax deductible contribution to The Faro Cemetery Restoration Fund and send it to Sephardic House, 2112 Broadway, New York, NY 10023. All contributions will be forwarded sephardic@juno.com
Rufina Bernardetti Silva Mausenbaum -- rufina@netactive.co.za -- 6/19/98

Subject: A warm hello to all Sephardim!
I am revisiting after learning mor eof myself and family line. I am now certain of my Sephardic roots, and claim them proudly! I am not religious, but revel in my Portuguese-Sephardic heritage, my ancestors brought me to this point to proudly recognize them and their identity. I consider it a true virtue and will enjoy my further education into our lesser known culture. I would like to thank Rufina for her help and for all those that have stood up to be counted! Without you, I might never have known!!! Also Judy Frankel fro her incredibly inspiring voice in music! She is a must hear! My main family names are, Machado, Pereira, Garcia, Thomas, and my two son's both had the 'Semitic Mark' on their lower backs at birth! Adeushalom! Jim
Jim Thomas -- jpt@sj.bigger.net -- 6/11/98

Subject: Genealogy
My family came from Rebeira Seca and Topo, Sao Jorge Island, Azores Islands, Portugal.I have the folloing names in my ancestry that I have traced back to the 1650s. Some of the more prominent lines in my family are: Machado Aguiar, Machado de Cunha, Silveira Pereira, Pereira de Sousa, Silveira de Avila, Texeira Nunes, de Sousa Texeira, Silveira Machado, da valenca and Jose de Simas. Manuel Pereira Silva.
Manuel Pereira Silva -- msilva@castles.com -- 5/10/98

Subject: O Brasonario Portugues e a Cultura Hebraica
A new book (O Brasonario Portugues e a Cultura Hebraica) about shields of Jewish-Portuguese families. Written by Moises Espirito Santo. Published by Instituto de Sociologia e Etnologia das Religioes, Universidade Nova de Lisboa. Need help in locating the ISBN number and how to obtain a copy...
Thank You
Rufina
rufina@netactive.co.za

Subject: arvore genealogia
Sou descendente de Duarte Saraiva, cujo nome anterior era David Senior Coronel, que foi de Portugual para Holanda, mais ou menos em 1934, e dai, vindo para Recife,Perbambuco,Brasil.Procuro saber a ligacao de David Senior Coronel(Duarte Saraiva) com a familia de Abrahao Senior Coronel, que em 1493,foi batizado como catolico, recebendo o nome Fernando Peres Coronel.Tambem, pesquiso Pereira Grangeiro, Angra Portugual, que foi p/Brasil + ou - 1760 e familia ALENCAR,q. foi de Portugual para o Brasil. Antecipadamente, expresso meus agradecimentos. El Saraiva Grangeiro
El Saraiva Grangeiro -- sagran@bellsouth.net -- 5/1/98

Subject: Thank you Rufina
Dear Rufina, obrigado muito! I feel connected at last. I returned to Judaism last High Holidays. I am from the Azorean/Madeiran community in Hawaii. After searching and prodding my family, I have found out that I am descended from Crypto-Jews from both the Azorean Island of Sao Miguel and from Madeira, from the village of Santana. After my bet din last year, our rabbi said to me, welcome home after 500 years. I feel that homecoming again reading this website. Steve Gorman asked me to send you some of my background; which I will do gladly. And if anyone is descended from any of the following names, please e-mail me: Lindo, daCosta Lindo, Santana, Camara, Oliveira, Souza, Enos, Gouveia, Calistro or Bettancourt. Again, thank you for giving us a voice. May you go from strength to strength. B'Shalom, Jason Lindo.
Jason Yonatan Lindo -- JasonL144@AOL.com -- 4/29/98

Subject: your page
Cara Ruth, I live in Brazil and I found this page through the Sepharade Page. It is nice to see this spreading...I am a descendant of some of those who have been "kicked out" of Spain and went to Turkey, Bulgaria, Iugoslavia, etc. There is a beautiful story there. Have been doing resaearch on my family - mother's side - Kapon, Cappon, . A great gradfather was Abraham Cappon who was a journalist, poet, teacher, etc. and he wrtoe a beautiful poem - A mi Espana Querida - which was read inSpain when they celebrated the 500 years of the discovery of America and the reconciliation of the Spanish government with the worldwide sephardic community. Anyway, I go oftern to the US and I would be interested in knowing more about times and events where all of you get together... I would like to meet you because we all have a common link - we are trying to bring forth the wonderful history,customs and background of the old spanish/portuguese sephardic jews. all the best, morris
Morris M. Kalef -- mmkalef@ibm.net -- 4/25/98

Subject: To Ruth Silverman
Mana Ruth, Thank you, silver lady. Seeing you, Rufina, David Turetsky and Steve Gorban was a great pleasure. The story that moved you is only fractionally mine. Its greater part belongs to thousands of northeastern Brazilians who have just begun to explore their Sephardic heritage. Rufina is showing us how to build bridges to Sepharad. My own website at http://www.geocities.com/Paris/LeftBank/1300 is my own minor contribution to the building process. I hope my website at http://www.geocities.com/Paris/LeftBank/1300 will be a positive, if minor contribution to the building process. Jag sameag, Tua mana, Clara
Clara Castelar -- keylara@intrepid.net -- 4/7/98

Subject: congratulations
Dearest Rufina, Once again you have brought to life a sense of community we of crypto-Sephardic descent needed so badly. Your page is beautifully done. Please accept my congratulations and best wishes. Hoping to see you again, Clara
Clara Castelar -- keylara@intrepid.net -- 4/7/98

Subject: The Forgotten Portuguese
It may be of some interest for the Portuguese Jewish Community, the recent published book The Forgotten Portuguese. This book describes the color adventure in a historic form of the Portuguese arriving in this continent since the XV century. It dedicates a number of pages to the Jews fleeing the Inquisition as well as other explorers and navigators working for other nations. Please visit the web site www.dnet.net/nonprofit/portugal or email me for more information. Thanks and congratulations on this page. Manuel Mira manuel@dnet.net mm
Manuel Mira -- manuel@dnet.net -- 4/4/98

Subject: Sharing is the key to knowledge!
To My New Found Family...Primas Rufina and Gilah and Primo David, I am still learning that not everyone involved in this wonderful new experience (Sephardiam) is able or willing to share with the "world." The "door" opens slowly, but hopefully someday all the "closed doors" in our Portuguese heritage will be opened wide to allow the sunshine of awareness in... Thank You Joe for allowing this must worthwhile subject to be included on your Lusaweb website. papagaia@inreach.com http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/1065
Patricia J da Silva Se Corbera -- papagaia -- 3/29/98

Subject:
What an informative addition to Lusaweb.!! Carry on the good work, I really enjoyed learning parts of our history I never knew about. Will drop by again. Antonia
Antonia Gomes -- N/A -- 3/28/98

Subject: Saudades Project
To all involved with this outstanding project: Patricia J da Silva Cobera, Rufina B Silva Mausenbaum and Joe Sanches : A woderful addition to the www. Thankyou for sharing your knowledge and love of our shared heritage. I'm proud to share this with you and to learn about a chapter of our history to date untaught . Gilah Smith
Gilah Smith -- gilvic@netactive.co.za -- 3/18/98

Subject:
To Rufina ( Mom ), Patricia ( Prima ) and Joe, A beautiful addition to Lusaweb..... Well done. May you go from strength to strength. I'm proud to be a descendant of this wonderful heritage. David.
David Silva Mausenbaum -- mouse@netactive.co.za -- 3/18/98

Subject: New Book
Eu lejo um novo livro "The Persecution" por Chaim Eliav, um novelo sovre a vida dos cryptojudeos em Portugal ha 350 anos. E muito exitante e intersante! Sinte-se a corajem dos judeos fieis a seus religion. I am reading a new book "The Persecution" by Chaim Eliav, a novel about the life of the Marranos in Portugal 350 years ago. It is very exciting and ineresting! One feels the courage of the Jews who were loyal to their religion. David Goldman traductor em ingles
David Goldman -- davic@erols.com -- 3/1/98

Subject: Saudade Project
I have beeen working with Rufina to spread the word on the shared heritage of the Portuguese and the Jews. In my hometown of New Bedford, Ma and the surrounding cities of Fall River, Ma and Providence RI. If you want to know more about our project, please contact me. I will be happy to mail materials which demonstrate what has been accomplished so far. My own heritage is Jewish on both sides with my ancestors from Greece and Russia. It is to honor my and your ancestors that Saudades-The Next 500 Years is dedicated. Lets us share what we have in common and make new friends with a better understanding of each other.
Steve Gorban -- sgorban@juno.com -- 3/1/98

Subject: Cristaos novos portugueses

Paulo Valadares -- faiguen@ibm.net -- 2/25/98

Subject: Página de Rufina
Obrigado, Rufina, pela inspirada página "Saudades".Ai que sentimento de vazio/perda/nostalgia/saudade por algo tão etéreo quanto o sentimento de ser/não-saber-se-é, de ver-desaparecer/estar-aqui-tão-dentro... Estou falando de "marranidade", de "criptojudaismo". E por falar nisso, sou dos ANTUNES DE OLIVEIRA, segmento levítico bem expresso no cripto aNTuNeS (de NeTiNiaS = dedicado ou doado a haShem, seg. BeMidbar, Números 3.9). W.S.B.
Walter S. Baptista -- baptista@batista.org.br -- 2/19/98

Subject: Shalom?
I'm not sure that I'm of Sephardim, but it's surely possible, maybe even likely (right Rufina?) I would have signed in here earlier, but didn't know this was a site (yikes!) I just wanted to say hi and mention our home islands of Faial and Pico and our family names of Thomas/Machado/Pereira/Garcia (and more of course!) Abraços a todos! Jim
Jim Thomas -- jpt@sj.bigger.net -- 2/19/98

Subject: jews of Spain and Portugal
Excellent
Sol Garson -- solgarson @aol.com -- 2/18/98

Subject: Kulanu Speakers
To Clara Castelar: I was moved to tears by your story at the Kulanu meeting in Washington, DC. The successful efforts of your blessed ancestors to maintain even a shred of their Jewish past in a remote area of Brazil is remarkable. That you have found it and are now weaving it into whole cloth is equally incredible. We are with you as you pursue the rest of your journey. To Dona Gomes: Thanks for the courage to come to our meeting to share your information on Madeira and Hawaii. We were fascinated by an interesting link many never knew existed.
Ruth Silverman -- Ruthwriter@aol.com -- 2/17/98

Subject: Rufina
I met Rufina through wonderful emails. After hearing her speak at the Kulanu meeting in Washington, DC, I was in tears. I'm Ashkenazic---neither Portuguese, nor Sephardic, but we are surely sisters---in one home. Rufina, your words transmit the power and sadness of 500 years, the power to link all of us---in Saudades. Abracado-- Ruth
Ruth Silverman -- Ruthwriter@aol.com -- 2/17/98

Subject: Thanks to Portuguese guest speakers
The Kulanu meeting held in Washington, DC today, February 15, 1998 was graced by the extraordinary presentations given by Rufina Bernardetti Silva Mausenbaun, who spoke of the historic travails of her family and other Portuguese conversos, Clara Castelar who discussed the continuing secrecy of the Conversos in the semi-desert of northeast Brazil, Dona Gomes Austin, who spoke about the Madeira Hawaiian connection They spoke eloquently and passionately and the audience was deeply moved David
David Turetsky -- kulanu@ubmail.ubalt.edu -- 2/15/98

Subject: saudades
What a wonderful page. Always happy to learn about our ruites. Great meaningful work lusaweb!! I'll be back. Cheryl.
Cheryl -- gregj73@aol.com -- 2/11/98

Subject: Portugues-Jewish heritage
Hi Rufina, Excellent webpage! The content is great and the page very well layed out. Talk to you soon, George
George Pimentel -- geoles@idirect.com -- 2/10/98

Subject: Calligraphy scroll on home page
I am hearing wonderful feedback about the beautiful scroll from people who have visited the site David
dturetsky -- dturetsky@ubmail.ubalt.edu -- 2/7/98

Subject: Your wonderful Page
This is a beautiful page with many resources. This is a great addition to Lusaweb, which reaches out to all the Portuguese people all over the world, carrying their culture and traditions in their hearts and lives. Dona http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/7353
Dona Gomes Austin -- dgaustin@Prodigy.net -- 2/6/98

Subject: SAUDADES
YOUR POEM IS LOVELY....A TRIBUTE TO OUR PAST AND PRESENT. WHILE I KNOW OF NO JEWISH PORTUGUESE ROOTS IN MY TREE I FONDLY REMEMBER TOURO SYNAGOG IN NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND WHICH I VISITED MANY TIMES AS A MEMBER OF THE NEWPORT HISTORY CLUB DURING MY HIGH SCHOOL YEARS. THERE IS A WONDERFUL PLAQUE IN FRONT REMEMBERING THE PORTUGUESE JEWS WHO FOUNDED IT.
FRANK MAITOZA -- CINEMANURSE@WEBTV.NET -- 2/5/98

Subject: Greetings
Very much enjoying the development of this site Very nice! Very lush! Will continue to visit and surf! David
David Turetsky -- dturetsky@ubmail.ubalt.edu -- 2/5/98

Subject: saudades
Dear Joe, Thankyou for the beautiful new addition. We can all enjoy and learn from each other and be enriched by our rich and polyglot culture.Wishing the saudades page great success may it continue to grow and enrich all of us that are a part of lusaweb..... great work, sensitivly displayed. Now we need some input from our cousins... Always, Rufina.
rufina bernardetti silva mausenbaum -- rufina@netactive.co.za -- 2/5/98

Subject: Welcome to the SAUDADES Guestook !
Welcome to the Saudades Homepage. As you can see, this page is "Under Construction". We hope to make it an interesting and useful information resource for all interested in the Sephardic Jewish history of Portugal. We welcome suggestions and resource materials, to make this a successful project.
Joe M. Sanches -- jms@lusaweb.com -- 2/5/98

Rufina

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