Song of the Sephardi

Documentary. 78 min. English.
This is a feature-length documentary film about the Sephardim, the descendants of the Jews who were expelled from Spain in 1492 by the Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. It pictorially recounts the amazing story of the Spanish Jews-from the time of the Golden Age in Moorish Spain, through the fateful years of the Inquisition and the Expulsion in 1492, and the subsequent dispersion of the Sephardim to centers such as Istanbul, Salonica, and Amsterdam. The film illustrates the manner in which Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) is used for religious purposes, such as in the Sabbath and Passover services. Above all, this unique motion picture is an imaginative attempt to cinematically portray and interpret the lyrics of the traditional Ladino folk songs that have been the lifeblood and musical soul of the Sephardi. The film was made with the participation of the Sephardic communities of Seattle, Washington and of Jerusalem, Israel. Starring in the film is Israeli singing star Rivka Raz, three-time winner of the Harp of David Award.

Excerpt of the film that features Rivka Raz singing: