{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6577b61a32da910012a1f7fa/6ab59db1fb182c6fb5af9542?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Exploring Seattle's Sephardic Roots & Stories","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/6577b61a32da910012a1f7fa/1790401575288-079921fe-6da2-400c-8743-fed7d34f379b.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>In this special episode of Invisible Histories, we explore the rich history, culture, and enduring legacy of Seattle&#39;s Sephardic Jewish community—the third-largest Sephardic population in the United States. Guests Cynthia Flash Hemphill (President of the Seattle Sephardic Network), Hannah Peters (Director at the Washington State Jewish Historical Society), and community members share personal narratives and historical insights.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Guests:</strong></p><ul><li>Stuart Eskenazi, Sephardic Seattle Tour guide with family ties to Seattle</li><li>Al DeJaen, Sephardic Seattle Tour guide who grew up in the Central District</li><li>Cynthia Flash Hemphill, President of the Seattle Sephardic Network</li><li>Sylvia Azose Angel, octogenarian tri-athlete who grew up in the Central District</li><li>Hannah Peters, Director of the WA Jewish Historical Society</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>The episode shares:</strong></p><ul><li>The historic migration of Sephardic Jews from the Mediterranean (Rhodes, Tekirdağ/Rodosto, Istanbul) to Seattle&#39;s Central District starting in 1902, and their subsequent displacement/migration to Seward Park and the Eastside of King County, WA.</li><li>The distinct religious and social structures of Sephardic synagogues, redlining in Seattle, and solidarity/shared experiences with Black and Asian communities.</li><li>Efforts to preserve Ladino (Judeo-Spanish), including classes at the University of Washington and the monthly &quot;Los Ladinadas&quot; meetup group.</li><li>Traditional Sephardic culinary heritage, Mediterranean flavors, and community baking traditions.</li><li>Personal family histories, including family research, community establishment in Seattle, and Sylvia Assos Angel&#39;s childhood memories on 21st and Yesler and empowerment through B&#39;nai B&#39;rith Girls.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Upcoming Community Events &amp; Projects:</strong></p><ul><li><strong><a href=\"https://www.seattlesephardicnetwork.org/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Seattle Sephardic Network:</a></strong> Cultural and historical programming for Sephardic Jews and allies. <a href=\"https://www.seattlesephardicnetwork.org/seattle-sephardic-tour\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Take the Seattle Sephardic Network Tour!</a> It happens in the Central District, in the summer or as requested.</li><li><strong><a href=\"https://www.seattlesephardicnetwork.org/fundraiser\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Oct 11: Seattle Sephardic Network Fundraiser!</a> </strong>Catch <strong>comedian Ariel Elias live in South Lake Union</strong> for an evening of comedy, Sephardic music, and fun! Search &quot;Ariel Elias in Seattle&quot; on Eventbrite for tickets ($36+). Ariel Elias has been featured on Marvelous Ms. Maisel, Stephen Colbert &amp; Jimmy Kimmel Live.</li><li>Be sure to check out the amazing digital offerings online at the <strong><a href=\"https://www.wsjhs.org/museum\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Washington State Jewish Historical Museum</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href=\"https://www.wsjhs.org/page/shalom-sefarad\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Washington State Jewish Historical Society (WSJHS)</a>:</strong> Digital museum, oral history archives, and upcoming interactive map project launching December 2026.</li><li><strong><a href=\"https://jewishstudies.washington.edu/sephardic-studies/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">UW Sephardic Studies Program</a>:</strong> University of Washington Libraries Special Collections and Ladino language courses.</li><li><strong>Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle:</strong> Heritage tour to Greece and Rhodes (March 2027; registration closes November 2026).</li><li><strong>Dec 2026: WSJHS launches an interactive global map pinning 500+ locations from oral history transcripts.</strong></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Subscribe, share, and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts!</p><p>Support our work through Ko-fi.com.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Credits:</strong></p><p>Episode recorded in Edmonds, WA</p><p>Edited by Elke Hautala</p><p>Music: Three songs by <u><a href=\"https://isaacazose.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Isaac Azose</a></u>: La Roza Enflorese, Alta Alta es la Luna, and Mama Yo No Tengo</p><p>Cover art design by Cari Simson; Image uses a portion of a Jewish marriage contract. Esther Benezra and David DeFunes. Ottoman Empire, 1888 (ST01600, courtesy Albert Maimon/Henry Benezra Collection), and photo of a Ladino theatre group that performed for Sephardic audiences at Washington Hall (1920) Courtesy of UW Special Collections.</p><p><br></p><p>Cari Simson and Elke Hautala formed <em>Invisible Histories</em> to visually and viscerally connect the public to experiences from the past. Their <em>Invisible Histories podcast</em> unearths diverse local stories and forgotten places.<a href=\"https://open.acast.com/networks/6577b3fe9ff7fa001280b253/shows/6577b61a32da910012a1f7fa/www.invisible-histories.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> </a><strong><u><a href=\"https://open.acast.com/networks/6577b3fe9ff7fa001280b253/shows/6577b61a32da910012a1f7fa/www.invisible-histories.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">www.invisible-histories.com</a></u></strong></p>","author_name":"Cari Simson Elke Hautala"}