Sunday, December 17, 3-4pm
JC3, Calle de las Moras 47
$100

The Hidden Jews of Latin America - talk

By Rabbi Juan Mejía

Rabbi Juan Mejía was born in Bogotá, Colombia. When he was 15, he discovered his converso roots and began to explore the history of the secret Jews of Latin America. This process eventually led him to Jerusalem, where he rejoined his people and decided to pursue the rabbinate in order to help others to find their Jewish souls. There he met his wife, Abby Jacobson, also a rabbinical student. Rabbi Mejía holds an undergraduate degree in Philosophy from the National University of Colombia and a summa cum laude Master's Degree in Jewish Civilization from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He received rabbinic ordination from the Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in NY.

Rabbi Mejía dreams of establishing a Yeshiva and Return Center for conversos in the American Southwest where he can help train the leadership of these new communities both in the U.S. and in Latin America. In the meantime, he teaches classes to conversos in seven countries through his website: www.koltuvsefarad.com and is the coordinator for the American Southwest/Latin America Region for the Jewish non-profit organization Bechol Lashon.
In 2013, Rabbi Juan was recognized as one of "America's Most Inspiring Rabbis" by the New York City-based Jewish newspaper the Jewish Daily Forward.https://forward.com/series/rabbis/2013/rabbi-juan-mejia/
Rabbi Mejía lives with his wife, Rabbi Abby Jacobson, and 2 daughters in Oklahoma City, OK.