They supported us 100% and solved our case successfully, we couldn't be happier. idovsk obec v Praze All the applications and attached documents/means of proof are kept in our records for future reference and a list of all issued certificates is sent monthly to the Portuguese Ministry of Justice. Spanish & Portuguese Citizenship for Descendants of Sephardic Jews The first company Jonah worked with were incredibly impersonal and ended up firing him as a client, but at least it gave him lots of information and pointed him in the right direction. This is at no additional cost to you and it does not affect our editorial standards in any way. At that point, he decided to investigate further. Nationality: Acquisition by Descendants of Sephardic Jews - Consular Portugal - jewish heritage, history, synagogues, museums, areas and I really appreciate his courteous and direct approach. All Jews share the same Synagogue, Shar Tikva, which has kept the original post Inquisition Sephardic Moroccan ritual. 30-A/2015 and 26/2022, which amended DL 237-A/2006. The project of the synagogue was designed by one the greatest architects of that time, Miguel Ventura Terra. The first step towards the official recognition of the Hebrew Community of Lisbon dates back to 1868, when a license is conceded by the Government, through a charter from D.Lus giving the "Jews of Lisbon permission to install a cemetery for the burial of their coreligionists". They conclude that the Government shares their understanding that any application received by the Jewish Community of Lisbon by 31 August . Take advantage of this while you can to regain your heritage and have the opportunity to travel in a place that was your home., Very interesting. We are Jews. Until the 60s the community remained demographically stable, but the creation of the State of Israel and the outbreak of the Colonial War lead to the departure of some families. Between 1826-1835 Poland, Russia, and other Central and Eastern Europe countries required separate Jewish birth, marriage, and death records be kept in areas where several Jewish families lived. Lisbon - Conquered from the Moors in 1147 by Dom Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, the Castle of Sao Jorge stands proudly atop one of the city's seven hills. We receive daily applications both from individuals and law firms. We have Portuguese Friends. I was impressed with his incredibly solid character. A big thank you to Irina especially from the Jerusalem office. The Lisbon City Council issues certificates exclusively to Lisbon residents. I've got Austrian citizenship in 4 months for all family members which consists of 12 people! Her surname was Bair, which is a German-Jewish surname and she was 3/4 Ashkenazi, but he had to look a bit further before he found the Sephardic connection. Those who wish to apply for a Sephardic heritage certificate can apply online at . Lisbon Synagogue was built in the early 1900s appropriately enough by Jews who had returned from a long exile in Morocco and Gibraltar. He was able to get his application expedited to less than 6 months as he was living in London, citing Brexit as the reason. Technical Problem Form - JewishGen In this article, we will explain how a Jewish community certification can help you in obtaining status as a Portuguese citizenship, and what other steps are required to complete the process. Issue. These last two Jewish quarters were located in the vicinities of commercial ports and shipyards. You can either apply yourself or use a specialist service who will help you with the application and make sure that you have all the necessary documents. Launched the first stone in 1902, the Shaar-Tikv Synagogue is finally inaugurated in 1904, culminating a more than 50 years old effort of the Jews of Lisbon. $16.95. A simple copy of a valid passport (page containing personal data, picture and signature) expiring date larger than 6 months. The answer to all the above questions is no. Explore the historic sites of vora and Belmonte, then make your way to the Douro Valley for a wine tasting and a river cruise. I am so impressed and in awe of all the work you have done to become a Portuguese citizen. Spouses may apply later for citizenship through the Portuguese Central Registry Office, not under this law amendment or its provisions but as any foreign spouse of a Portuguese citizen. If you need to, click to watch our support tutorial. The steps take differing amounts of time. Today, Portugal is home to between 5,000 and 6,000 Jews with the majority in Lisbon and Porto, whose communities have around 500 formal members each. I believe my son can get all necessary documents to qualify for. My wife and I strongly recommend anyone planning to go through this process seriously consider hiring Decker, Pex, Ofir & Co. and, specifically, Ariel Galili. B-Mitzvah Gender Neutral Certificate 5-pack. We achieved our goal and the fear of deportation has been lifted! Consequently, it is hardly news that Jewish quarters existed in Lisbon. Portguese citizenship is big business, and there are a huge number of lawyers and experts who can help you through the process. Critics of schemes like this suggest that, while it may help Portugal right a historical wrong (somewhat), it doesnt necessarily help Portugal advance. He slowly gained the trust of Belmonte's crypto-Jews when he recited the Shema Yisrael prayer and uttered the . The certification period of the Jewish Community of Lisbon varies and will depend on the quality and organization of the documentation with which the process is submitted by the applicant and the degree of complexity of the respective process. Oded Ger did an excellent job by reviewing a modeling contract I was offered. Lisbon Jewish community continues handling Sephardic - ECO News We so much appreciate Mikes representation of us. They are always answering questions and support during the process. Portugal Virtual Jewish History Tour Receipt of citizenship a birth registration form in Portuguese currently takes anywhere from 24 to 29 months. If/when possible, evidence of some level of ladino speaking proficiency/culture will be highly appreciated although its not a must. The official recognition of the community and the construction of the synagogue brought a new impulse to the community life in Lisbon. There are 7 steps involved, and you will be able to see what stage your application is at. Oh dear, like so many people in this post, I too would really appreciate a list of solicitors as well. The Portuguese Jews played an important role in this period in the support of refugees, first through the creation of the Portuguese Commission for the Assistance of the Jewish Refugees in Portugal directed by Augusto Esaguy, and later directly through the Communitys own refugee support section, chaired by Moiss Amzalak and whose great promoter was Elias Baruel. Turning Portuguese - BBC News They may have birth certs or documents that can help, as well as stories that may be able to point you in the right direction. Hi James, I couldn't recommend them highly enough. The few who stayed altered the proportions of the Lisbon community, until then mostly Sephardic. I highly recommend! Some people already know that they have Sephardic Jewish heritage, while it can come as a surprise to others. Jonah paid around $1350, which also included his flight to Washington, DC, where the Portuguese embassy is located which was essential as he was applying from the US. His grandmothers grandmother was British and belonged to the Bevis Marks Synagogue in London. You may be represented by a third party in your application and you neither have to come or reside in Portugal nor to speak Portuguese. The Lisbon Jewish Community - PORTUEL Since March 2015, several thousands of foreign citizens were granted Portuguese nationality under this law amendment and only a very small number were refused, mostly due to legal and technical reasons or lack of documentation. I have needed legal advice and assistance with immigration due to a complex situation of mine, and he has been extremely available and responsive, honest and clear about my route and how to proceed. We can handle the bureaucratic side of the process and get your application submitted to the government before its too late. Inaugurated in 1904 and designed by Miguel Ventura Terra, the synagogue was the first synagogue to be built in Portugal since the 15th century. Lisbon | Jewish Tours in Portugal When you hear Decker,Pex,Ofir &Co, you hear 10+ class services, luxurious professionals, confidentiality and exclusive attention to your needs. We are now happily living in Israel and are so grateful to have Irena who is a genuinely nice person as our lawyer. Jonah personally has helped five people in these groups with their applications. The Ohel Jacob Synagogue ("Tent of Jacob") was founded in 1934 by a small Jewish group of Ashkenazic origin from Central Europe. 30-A/2015 and 26/2022 which amended DL 237-A/2006, where is approaved the Regulation of Portuguese Natioanlity concession for descendants of Jews of Sephardic origin. Many have received their letter from the Jewish Community, but have not gone through the legal hurdles of processing their application for citizenship. Joshua Pex was both an amazing human being and an inspiring human rights attorney. There is no such requirement concerning the issuing of Jewish Community of Lisbons certification and our community has neither a special partnership with any law office nor shall recommend any specific one. You may obtain further and accurate information at the nearest Portuguese Consulate. The political opening of the post-April revolution and of the borders, with the entry of Portugal in the European Union, has provided the arrival to our country of Jewish Citizens from different countries, from Europe and Brazil. A Committee of Experts in Jewish Sephardic genealogy and the historical routes of the Jewish Iberian Diaspora to evaluate the provided means of proof. Thank you Excellent service, very friendly and helpful, fast responding and very patient. It will be a dream come true getting to live my life in Portuguese as my ancestors did.. The Jewish internet solved this missed connection on the 2 train Besides his knowing the laws, regulations and procedures, Ariel also made us feel that he was truly interested in helping us to successfully work through this process in as smooth, timely, and frustration-free manner as possible. He eventually needed a lawyer to submit the application to the Portuguese government, but was able to do a lot of the other work himself. On the other hand, the power of the final decision whether it is an approval or a request for more documents that corroborates your sephardic origins is solely taken by theCommission of Analysis. That evidence, along with your family tree, is submitted to the Portuguese Jewish community in either Porto or Lisbon. Applying for membership in Lisbon and Porto's official Jewish community costs $300-$560 and is a required step for a Jew to become a Portuguese citizen under the 2013 law. When we started looking into her family, we saw her grandmother [Trevors great great grandmother] had the surname De Pinna and we thought maybe she wasnt entirely Jewish or maybe she was Italian? highly recommended. Financed by Joint and other international Jewish institutions, the community kept the Economic Kitchen/cuisine?? I need to see if you can recommend a reliable attorney. My aunt is really jealous. For example, duringpassover, his family would always eat rice, something that is very specific to Sephardic Jews. Hotel pickup offered Mobile ticket Unfortunately, however, this route isnt as easy as it once was. I'm super glad of choosing Joshua Pex of Law office for immigration solution, lawyers to advise in my case, to me, it is remarkable.