"A new scientific study published late last year indicate that approximately 20 percent of the population of Spain and Portugal, around 10 million people, are descendants of Jews." So stated Michael Freund, the director of Shavei Israel in Jerusalem.
The implication of those numbers alone for the state of Israel, with it's demographic problems, have the potential to be staggering. This could be so if the rabbinate and the State of Israel become as outreaching as they have been to the Russian Jews. Naturally, there is a difference between the two communities in regard to the calendar time period of non-observance in both communiites, as well as to the ability to identify clearly one's maternal Jewish mother, and grandmother etc. But those are issues for which the Chief Sephardi Rabbi of Israel has already set out guidelines.
Following those guidelines could potentially create a natural "exit strategy" for Israeli Arabs who suddenly see themselves as once again falling further behind in percentage of Israeli population. This could happen if another wave of Jews making aliyah: this time not from Russia, but from Spain and Portugal, come in significant numbers.
The source article for this is short and begins with the making of Kosher cheese in Portugal for the first time since the expulsion in 1497. Check it out HERE.
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