Sefardim

Sephardim are Jewish communities originating from the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). In 1492, many were expelled or forced to convert during the Spanish Inquisition, leading some to migrate elsewhere, including North Africa, the Middle East, and the Balkans. Their religious practices, customs, and language (notably Ladino) often differ from Ashkenazi Jews of Central and Eastern Europe. Today, Sephardic Jews maintain distinct cultural identities within the global Jewish population, emphasizing their historical roots, unique religious traditions, and diaspora experiences stemming from their treatment in medieval Spain and Portugal.