Women as Guardians of Sephardic Culture

How did the songs and stories of Sephardic women become the primary vessel for Jewish survival across the Spanish diaspora? Following the 1492 expulsion, women took on a central role in preserving Sephardic culture, using oral traditions to transmit values and educate children in far-flung communities. In the thousands of "Converso" households that outwardly converted to Christianity while secretly practicing Judaism, the domestic sphere replaced the synagogue as the spiritual center. This shift saw women ascend to roles traditionally held by men—becoming the teachers, ritual slaughterers, and primary transmitters of tradition. Amado explores these hidden lives by sharing the legends and songs that reflect a unique blend of earthy secularism, loyalty, and a longing for Spain. She also examines the contemporary strains within these families as they re-embrace public synagogue life and navigate the shifting balance of authority between men and women.