The Hispano-Judía Foundation, based in Madrid and represented in several Latin American countries and the United States, has signed a collaboration agreement with the Texas A&M International University (TAMIU), a “historic agreement that will allow for future collaborations in research, education and culture between both institutions” to uncover Texas’ Jewish past, according to a statement.
The institutions signed the agreement this week in the colonnade of TAMIU’s Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, marking “a milestone in the exploration and celebration of the rich heritage of Sephardic Jewish ancestry in the region.” The collaboration will focus on joint research projects that delve into the history, culture, and contributions of the Sephardic Jewish communities that migrated to the Americas in the 16th century.
The collaboration arose from conversations with the Spanish-Jewish Foundation, highlighting the historical presence of Spanish converts in northern Mexico and southern Texas.
Maria Eugenia Calderon-Porter, Assistant Vice President of TAMIU’s Office of Global Initiatives, recalled at the event that “TAMIU is at the center of the regional development that was originally built by this Spanish Sephardic migration” and that “many traditions, foods and family customs that were brought here are still part of our daily lives.” With this agreement, Texas A&M International University wants to raise awareness “about the contributions and legacy that the first Spanish Sephardic settlers had in our region.”
Jacques Sacal, representing both institutions, stressed that this agreement will highlight “a fundamental chapter in the history of this great region, which has long gone unnoticed: the contribution of the Jewish community to the cultural and social identity of Texas. This legacy, which has left an indelible mark in various spheres, deserves to be known, valued and transmitted to future generations.”
The Hispano-Judía Foundation, established in 2016, is dedicated to the recovery and dissemination of the rich and sometimes little-known history of the Jewish presence in the Hispanic world. From the expelled Sephardim to the new Christians, the shared history spans centuries of coexistence, and the Foundation seeks to help new generations understand this legacy. Through its work, it promotes the recognition of cultural diversity and the value of Jewish origins as an intrinsic part of Hispanic culture.