Ladino Day program and week of Judeo-Spanish Culture at SMU
The Second International Day of Ladino on January 25, 2015, will be the first of a series of programs of a week focusing on Judeo-Spanish history and culture.
The Second International Day of Ladino on January 25, 2015, will be the first of a series of programs of a week focusing on Judeo-Spanish history and culture.
The series is sponsored by Jewish Studies of SMU. All events are free and open to the public.
Sunday, January 25: 2º Dia Internasional del Ladino
2 - 5 p.m.
McCord Auditorium in Dallas Hall
The first program of the Sephardic Culture series, marking the Second International Day of Ladino, will feature lectures, music, and personal stories related to the Judeo-Spanish language, history, and culture.
Dr. Devin Naar, Director of the Sephardic Studies Program at the University of Washington in Seattle will address the audience via video. Rachel Amado Bortnick, native speaker and scholar of Ladino, will speak on the basic differences between Spanish and Ladino, and Dina Eliezer, Educational Director at Congregation Shearith Israel and also a native speaker of Ladino, will speak on Ladino in rabbinic responsa and other manuscripts.
The present and future state of Ladino will be revealed through presentations by various Dallasites, and the day will honor the memory of Sarina Elias de Waisbuh, Monastir-born Sephardic Holocaust survivor, through the words of her daughter Ghita Torrico. Music will bring a joyous atmosphere with audience participation. The program has been prepared by Rachel Bortnick and Dina Eliezer.
Disability parking is available directly behind Dallas Hall on University Blvd. General parking is available in Lot E behind Dallas Hall off Daniel Ave.
Monday, January 26: The Art of Jewish Iberia
Noon - 1 p.m.
Greer Garson Theater Screening Room 3531 in Owen Fine Arts Center
Professor Pamela Patton, chair of the Division of Art History at SMU, will lecture on her slide show of Jewish art in medieval Spain.
Parking is available in the Binkley Avenue Parking Center.
Wednesday, January 28: U.S. premier of Saved by Language
5 - 6:15 p.m.
Greer Garson Theater Screening Room 3531 in Owen Fine Arts Center
Saved by Language tells the story of Moris Albahari, a Sephardic Jew from Sarajevo (born 1930), who spoke Ladino/Judeo-Spanish, his mother tongue, to survive the Holocaust.
The 55 minute-long film was made by Ladino students Bryan Kirschen and Susanna Zaraysky. The film will be introduced by Rachel Bortnick and a discussion will follow the screening.
Parking is available in the Binkley Avenue Parking Center.
Thursday, January 29: Judeo-Spanish books and Manuscripts at the Bridwell Library
4 - 5 p.m.
Benefactor’s Room of Bridwell Library
Eric White, curator of Special Collections at the Bridwell Library, will present manuscripts and early Ladino books in the Library’s collection. A reception following the program will be held in the Parlor of Kirby Hall.
Parking is available in the Binkley Avenue Parking Center.
More Information
Contact Professor Shira L. Lander, director of Jewish Studies, at slander@smu.edu