Brotherhood News - January 2002

Brotherhood Breakfast

Sunday, January 13, 2002 at 10:00 A.M.
in the Social Hall at Congregation Albert

"Marrano: A Novel About Jews, Christians and Converts In 15th Century Spain

In recent years, much attention has been focused on the "hidden," or Crypto-Jews of Northern New Mexico. Santa Fe author Perry Jeffe, however, looks at the phenomenon of the conversos from a unique perspective. Within the framework of historical facts and events, Mr. Jeffe has crafted an intriguing fictional work that transports the reader to 15th century Castile. The book, "Marrano," the first of a trilogy, is set between the time of the Toledan rebellion of 1449 and the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492.

For a fiction writer, Mr. Jeffe has an unusual background that includes degrees in physics and industrial design. He is recognized as a pioneer and leading authority on the use of computers in the design arts, and he is the founder of the Center for Computer Graphics for Design. Along the way, Mr. Jeffe somehow made time for writing of a different sort. By 1991, when he moved to Santa Fe, he had written a play and three musical revues, and since then he has finished three novels.

In "Marrano," Mr. Jeffe shows us the world of 15th century Castile through the eyes of the novel's protagonist, Fernan Hernandes de Toledo. The young converso is the scion of a wealthy merchant family and great-grandson of Spanish Jews forced to convert during the pogroms of 1391. In Fernan's world, the conversos are victims of ethnic strife who are caught between a sword and a wall. They are a people seen as Jews by Castilians,
yet who, as third-or fourth-generation Catholics, know nothing of Judaism. We see Toledo, which for centuries had been a city of harmony among Jews, Christians and Moors, deteriorate into a society where the majority population imposes its beliefs on resident ethnic minorities. And we see how the maturing Fernan uses his sword, his wit and his love to defend values held dear through the ages.

Mr. Jeffe will talk about the research he conducted in preparation for the trilogy and how that research affected the characters and the storylines. He will also talk about the history of Jews in Iberia and some of the events that led to the Inquisition and the expulsion of Jews from Spain.

At the conclusion of his presentation, Mr. Jeffe will sign copies of "Marrano," which will be available for purchase.

The Brotherhood brunch is open to the public. The cost is $6 for Brotherhood members and their guests, and $8 for all others. If you have not received a phone call or E-mail by Wednesday January 9, please call the CAB Response Line at 332-1295 and leave your name, phone number and the number of people who will attend the event. You can also reserve space by sending an E-mail message to Brotherhood@CongregationAlbert.org. 

We look forward to seeing you.

NOTE: If you are on Congregation Albert's Email List, you will not be called by the Brotherhood Calling Committee. Instead, you will receive an electronic reminder of the program and will need to respond electronically or by telephone to reserve your space.

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