There is evidence that Jews lived in what is now Portugal and Spain from 300 CE (and perhaps earlier) until their expulsion from Spain in 1492 and Portugal in 1497. Some Jews converted to Christianity to escape persecution or expulsion but continued to practice Judaism in secret. At least one community of Jews did so for over 400 years; now they practice openly.   

Jeanne and Jerry Frieman, along with Arlene and Mike Pike and others from the Triangle area, recently took a Jewish heritage tour in Portugal and Spain. Jerry will share what they learned on that tour about the history of Jews in those countries.