Sephardic

Sephardic refers to Jews originating from the Iberian Peninsula—modern-day Spain and Portugal—before their forced expulsion in the late 15th century. The term also describes their cultural, religious, and linguistic traditions, which include unique liturgical practices, melodies, and the use of Ladino—a Judeo-Spanish language. After expulsion, many Sephardic Jews settled across the Middle East, North Africa, and elsewhere, maintaining distinctive customs. Overall, Sephardic denotes a specific Jewish identity rooted in their historical homeland, with rich cultural heritages that differ from Ashkenazi Jews of Central and Eastern Europe.