A group portrait of King Ferdinand of Aragon (left, kneeling) and Queen Isabella of Castilia (right). Behind Ferdinand is Tomas de Torquemada, the inquisitador major of Spain.

During 800 years of Moorish rule a large Jewish community had developed in Spain. The Kaliphs allowed the Jews to freely exercise their religion, though they had to accept minor social constraints, e.g.: they had to live in a separate quarters of the city, the "Juderia". But they lived freely and prosperously. They called themselves the Sephardim, the Jews of Sefarad (Spain).

But the southern Caliphates grew weaker, while the northern Catholic Kingdoms grew stronger. Slowly, Spain was conquered by the Kingdoms. In 1080 began the conquest of the northern territories up to Toledo, and 4 centuries later, In the year 1492, the last Islamic Caliphate was conquered, the Caliphate of Granada. Wandering nowadays in the streets of Granada, one still sees an Arabic city, not a Spanish one.

For the Jews the change of Rule was disastrous. Through Catholic eyes, all Jews were considered the murderers of Jesus Christ. In the conquered territories, because of their prosperity they were allowed to stay, but they were suppressed and marginalized.

In the year 1391, thousands of Jews were killed during pogroms in Sevilla, and in the following months pogroms occurred in every major city of Catholic Spain. The Jewish community was given a simple choice: convert to Catholicism, or die. Those who refused were burned at the stake. Many fled the country, but many subdued and officially became known as "Conversos", or New-Catholics, though they secretly practised the Jewish religion at their homes. The ordinary Spanish people however called them "Marranos" (Pigs), a bad sign for things to come.

After 20 years of severe suppression, the situation seemed to brighten somewhat. Gradually, many "Conversos" reconverted to their real faith. Though they were not immediately condemned for this, their reconversion cast severe doubt upon the religious sincerity of the "Conversos".

In 1476, the Jewish system of self-government, that had existed throughout Islamic rule, was forbidden. In 1478 the Catholic Kings obtained the Pope's permission to appoint inquisitadores, and the terrible system of inquisition was institutionalised. In 1483, all Jews, Catholic or not, were banned from Andalusia.

And then, in 1492, came the end. The Catholic Kings banned all Jews from entire Spain. Again, many officially converted to Christianity, hoping to evade the ban. But most of the remaining Jewish population fled Spain and spread throughout the world. In the year 1492 alone, more than 150.000 Jews left Spain, leaving most of their wealth behind.

On July 31 of the year 1492, no official Jewish community existed in Spain. All Jewish possessions had been confiscated, all Jewish institutions had ceased to exist.

Islamic Morocco and the tolerant kingdom of Portugal were logical places to go to. In the summer of 1492 more than 120.00 Jews arrived in Portugal and settled. But soon neighbouring Spain gained influence in Portugal, and the story began to repeat itself. Between 1496 and 1536 all Jews were forced to convert to Christianity. In 1536 the Inquisition began its practices. In 1580 Portugal was occupied by Spain.

But - unlike Spain - the Jewish community in Portugal has never ceased to exist. Despite terrible suppression they have remained in Portugal, and later even have returned to Spain. They called themselves the "Homen de Naçao" - the Men of the Nation.

However, many chose to evade Portugal and search for a place where they could live as free men. Sephardic communities were founded in Venice, in Livorno, in Antwerp, and in Amsterdam.

But Columbus had long since discovered America, the world had become larger, and soon new communities were founded in the New World: Portuguese Brazil, Rhode Island, Curaçao, and Suriname.

And the New World, far away from the suppressive kings and institutions of the Old World, fulfilled the Jewish hope. At last they could live in freedom.