Learning she was Jewish...Her moment of truth

Learning she was Jewish......
"HER MOMENT OF TRUTH"
Magnolia Albalat receives Jewish name.

Taken from Halapid, permission granted by Art Beneveniste. Editor HaLapid, vol.111 no.1 Winter 1995.

"She touched everyone's heart"- " There wasn’t a dry eye in the sanctuary." - "It was the most emotional moment ever in any synagogue I’ve ever attended".

Such were among the comments of an audience spellbound by the words of Magnolia Albalat as she received her official Jewish mane of " Malka Esther " in a moving ceremony at the Friday night services of August fifth. Magnolia had been a member of a Crypto Jewish family which since the Inquisition had secretly practiced Jewish traditions even as they outwardly embraced the Catholic Church.

They, like many other Jews, had accepted forced conversion to escape death or expulsion but had never truly abandoned their Jewish faith. Now in this twentieth century they were able to profess their faith openly again.

Rabbi Daniel Bouskila spoke in glowing terms of this wonderful girl who had chanced into Temple Tifereth Israel one Friday night seeking a Jewish community of which she could be a part. It was the warmth of welcome by Hy Arnesty, Yolande Alcana Gross and others that made her know that STTI was to be her temple family as she returned to the faith of her ancestors.

Opening the naming ceremonies, Rabbi Emeritus Jacob Ott spoke of another Jewess who found it necessary to deny her religious identity. To take her place as the legendary Queen Esther, she also had to hide her Jewish faith and eventually was able to persuade the king to save her fellow Jews.

During discussions with Rabbi Bouskila and with much soul searching, she had selected "Malka Esther" as her Jewish name. At a time when many young Jewish people are drifting away from Judaism, this new Esther could be an example to all of our youth. She is a member of a family who has struggled and chanced death for centuries to keep their faith. As the rabbi pointed out, she would not only be a member of our community but perhaps become a leader to help others find the way.

To mark this moment of his daughter’s receiving her Jewish name, Ramon Albalat wrote a poem in his native Spanish. It was delivered with much feeling and emotion, and when his hand came pounding down upon the lectern, even that this was a powerful message. It was the release of feelings imprisoned for more than 500 years in the hearts and souls of this Jewish family.

But the crowning moment of an evening that most of us shall never forget was when this charming and beautiful young woman spoke to us. With tears in her eyes and a voice choked with emotion, she indeed touched our hearts. We are all enriched by knowing that Magnolia "Malka Esther" is back with her own people.

This is the text of her message;
As a once Crypto Jew, or more vulgarly known as a Marrano, I feel overwhelmingly blessed that I have found the birthright that was raped from the hearts, souls and lives of my forefathers. My parents, midway through life and away from the country that persecuted them and my ancestors, realized their Jewishness and shared their knowledge with me when I was nine years old. Tonight, I want to share with you my feelings on the day I heard my father utter the words " you are Jewish" to me.
I was raised in a community that is predominantly South American and Roman Catholic. Growing up in this neighborhood, I never really shared in the traditions or customs of my peers and neighbors. They, honoring a Roman Catholic and Christian tradition, baptized their children as infants. My parents never baptized me. My friends went to Sunday school but I was never allowed to attend. They prepared for a first Communion, similar to our Bar or Bat Mitzvah. I did not prepare. I didn't understand why I did not share or do the same things my friends families did until the day I found a pendant of a Catholic religion saint and tied it around my neck with a piece of sewing thread. That day I shall never forget. I was playing on the swings in school when this shimmering medal on the ground caught my eye. To my delightful surprise, it was a small medallion like my friends wore. I could not wait to get home to show my parents the treasure I had found only to discover that they did not feel the relation as I did. My parents decided that my father should handle this situation for the moment of truth had finally come.
My father took me to the kitchen and sat me at the breakfast table. I remember my father looking at me so intensely and my head started to pound furiously. He began with the words, " Esto no pertenece ( This does not belong to you )." He meant that not only in the physical sense, but in the religious, cultural and spiritual, this medallion did not belong to me.
My father continued, " Many people- our people- died because of what this represents. Tu eres Judia. ( You are Jewish. ) Because you are a Jew you do not share the same things your friends share. You have other things- different things" and he left it at that. Although my parents saw that I longed to identify with my social surroundings, they did not want me to assimilate. They decided to allow me to wear a Star of David but not to speak about it. I am wearing that Star of David tonight, except I am speaking about it and not concealing it .

I believe in my Jewish faith with all my heart and will follow my faith no matter to where it takes me. I have chosen the name "Malka Esther" because as the Queen Esther risked her life for her faith and her people, I too would do the same. I love my religion so much that I will do what is necessary to keep it alive and vibrant in my life and in the lives of other Jews.

In closing, 500 years ago the chain that linked me and my Jewishness had almost been broken. I am proud to say that after 500 years of oppressive attempts on my family’s faith, our enemies have failed. I am here tonight strengthening that link to the past to ensure that the future links of my family’s Jewish chain will be stronger and more vibrant than ever. All the combined efforts of destruction that may come down and pound on the chain that connects us to our forefathers faith and ultimately to G-d will fail.

by Magnolia Malka Esther Albalat.
taken from HaLapid, the magazine of the " Society of Crypto Judaic Studies"
with permission from Art Benveniste, Editor.

Rufina

Portugal

"HER MOMENT OF TRUTH" by Magnolia Malka Esther Albalat

"HER MOMENT OF TRUTH"
by Magnolia Malka Esther Albalat