A millennia-old heritage
The history of Jews in Portugal is long, complex, and marked by periods of prosperity, persecution, and revival. Since Roman times, Jewish communities have lived on the Iberian Peninsula, flourishing culturally and economically during the Middle Ages. With the formation of the Kingdom of Portugal, Jews held prominent positions in science, medicine, diplomacy, and finance.
Persecution and forced conversion
However, in the late 15th century, following the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492 and the signing of the Treaty of Alcáçovas-Toledo, Portugal became a refuge for thousands of Sephardic Jews. This relative freedom was abruptly interrupted in 1496 when King Manuel I ordered the expulsion or forced conversion of Jews, leading to the establishment of the Portuguese Inquisition in 1536.
Many converted Jews, known as “New Christians,” continued to practice Judaism in secret and were persecuted, tried, and condemned by the Inquisition for over two centuries.
Revival and community restructuring
With the end of the Inquisition in the 19th century, a slow process of Jewish identity rehabilitation began in Portugal. The gradual return of Jews, especially from Morocco and Gibraltar, made community restructuring possible. It was in this context that the Shaaré Tikva Synagogue in Lisbon was inaugurated in 1904, the first synagogue built in Portugal since the 15th century.
Jewish communities in Portugal today
Today, the Jewish community in Portugal is small but active and growing. The Kadoorie Mekor Haim Synagogue in Porto is the largest in the Iberian Peninsula and welcomes Jews from over thirty nationalities. The institution promotes interfaith dialogue, educational events, and Holocaust remembrance initiatives.
In Lisbon, the Shaaré Tikva Synagogue remains a center for worship, education, and historical memory, hosting cultural events and solemn ceremonies honoring figures like Aristides de Sousa Mendes, the Portuguese diplomat who saved thousands of Jews during World War II.
Combating antisemitism in Portugal
In recent years, Portugal has developed concrete initiatives to combat antisemitism. One key example is the work of the Holocaust Museum of Porto, which promotes education about the Shoah and organizes school visits, conferences, and exhibitions dedicated to the memory of genocide victims. The museum collaborates with national and international institutions to raise public awareness of the dangers of antisemitism, denialism, and intolerance.
Conclusion
Portugal, which once promoted one of the most severe persecutions of the Jewish population, has been gradually acknowledging, albeit symbolically and partially, its historical debt. The continued existence and vitality of today’s Jewish communities, although small in number, are testimony to the resilience and enduring legacy of a cultural and spiritual heritage deeply rooted in Portuguese identity.
(Genesis 12:3) “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”