You may be represented by a third party in your application and you neither have to come or reside in Portugal nor to speak Portuguese. Make your donation here. I reported directly to him for various activities I performed as in intern. Until the 15th century, some Jews occupied very prominent places in Portuguese political and economic life. He had just married his wife, Agatha Barbasch, in April 1914, in Odessa. We were very satisfied with the service of Nehama. The service is very professional and efficient, the price is right. There is also many believe an economic incentive to the scheme as well: attracting Jews, particularly from countries like the US and Canada, many of whom are extremely well-educated and successful in their fields, would have a very positive effect on the Portuguese economy. All Jews share the same Synagogue, Shar Tikva, which has kept the original post Inquisition Sephardic Moroccan ritual. However the law does state that the following documents should be presented, including their translation into Portuguese, duly certified by the Portuguese consulate at the country of origin or residence and bearing the Hague Convention Apostille: The Portuguese Central Registry Office charges a non-refundable and pre-paid 250 fee per applicant. Youll find all the contacts below. In 1143, when King D. Afonso Henriques received recognition of Portugal as an independent kingdom, the Jews had been present on the Iberian Peninsula for over a millennium. General Support Specific Projects Planned Giving Wall of Honor. Depends on and is the responsibility of the Analysis Committee due final opinion, based on due historical analysis, and its process is subject to possible requests for additional documentation from this Committee. He was able to get his application expedited to less than 6 months as he was living in London, citing Brexit as the reason. We highly recommend Adv. Unfortunately, a right to live in Portugal doesnt necessarily mean that people are able to move to Portugal as wages and opportunities are often lower here than in other Western countries. Usually, we expect a pre-approval from the Porto Jewish Community roughly around 48 hours after the Lisbon Jewish Community roughly around 45 days after applying. * We remind that this pre-analysis is not binding and definitive and does not mean the final approval of your process, checking in advance whether the process is eligible for due study and historical analysis in order to apply for Portuguese Nationality based on Decree-Law no. Applications should be presented at the Central Registry Offices (Conservatria dos Registos Centrais) in Lisbon, in diplomatic services, and the Portuguese Minister of Justice was invested the power of granting nationality. Their dedication to every legal aspect and their drive its how a true lawyer house can be! I highly recommend this firm, especially Oded Ger. Nevertheless, while this letter from the Jewish Community does not mean you hold citizenship, it is absolutely crucial to the citizenship application process. 30-A/2015 and 26/2022 which amended DL 237-A/2006, where is approaved the Regulation of Portuguese Natioanlity concession for descendants of Jews of Sephardic origin. In Jonahs letter, he mentioned all the Sephardic rituals his family practiced. I have found a firm that sounds good, though, charges 5,000 euros for the whole process. The registration certificate is mandatory for European Union and other citizens (*) intending to stay in Portugal for longer than 3 months. administrativo@cilisboa.org info@cilisboa.org. LISBON: Portuguese prosecutors have detained a rabbi and carried out raids over the naturalisation process of a number of Jewish people, including Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire owner of Chelsea football club.. Portugal's Public Prosecution Service said late Friday that it has detained the leader of Porto's Jewish community, Daniel Litvak, as part of their investigation into . We recommend all those looking for immigration lawyers to get in touch. It's also very nice to know that you will receive response promptly; it made us feel we can really trust their services. The best lawyer firm Ive had dealt with. He first contacted the Portuguese Law Firm in the Autumn of 2015 and then, once he had carried out sufficient research, was able to submit his application around a year later. That is not the case. But you will not be able to request a passport with a letter from the Jewish Community alone. Are you sure that you want to switch to desktop version. As well as documents relating to his family tree, Jonah also submitted photos of his Bar Mitzvah, recipes that had been passed down through his family, and any other customs he could think of. But from that time, the community will suffer, due to the European events, a profound change both in its action and in its composition. Lisbon Synagogue was built in the early 1900s appropriately enough by Jews who had returned from a long exile in Morocco and Gibraltar. My last name is Salita and Ive known my whole life that my family comes from either Spain or Portugal.. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Wander through Shaare Tikva, Lisbon's synagogue, and learn about the history of various religions in the city. If youre not sure whether youre your surname is potentially Sephardic or not, take a look at Sephardim.co. For Trevor, getting all the paperwork he needed wasnt hugely complicated. Accomodations Meals Other entrance fees. Does my family name have to be in the list of Sephardic names? Currently, applicants are not expected to be able to speak Portuguese and this is one of the few routes to Portuguese citizenship where this is the case. JDC events and trips offer a rare window into corners of the global Jewish community that often go unseen, and an opportunity to witness firsthand the life-changing impact JDC makes every day . The Inquisition focused its attention on New Christians and crypto-Jews. Important Jewish communities settled in this region and contributed to the flourishing of Its trade and culture. Naturally, there are costs to all of this, especially when you start getting lawyers involved, but there are other benefits to using a law firm as well. A part of the application involves submitting a letter in which you describe your motivations for obtaining Portuguese citizenship and your connections to Portugal. After 3 months of arrival in Portugal, citizens will be required to apply for a certificate at the Municipal Council of . Because we appreciated their lawyers services, we recommended businesses and individuals again and again to go there as well. Party time in the heart, my beloved husband received his residence after so much time of battles and faith. We hereby, clarify that, a first opinion by e-mail is not binding. Regardless of the reasons for the scheme, if you think you might have Sephardic Heritage, this is definitely worth looking into. I think I paid around 2,000 in the end, says Trevor, which isnt nothing, but I would rather know that this is going to happen rather than being stuck in limbo forever.. Critics of schemes like this suggest that, while it may help Portugal right a historical wrong (somewhat), it doesnt necessarily help Portugal advance. Consequently, they are often referred to as Portuguese Jews or Jews of the Portuguese Nation. I am so impressed and in awe of all the work you have done to become a Portuguese citizen. The anti-Semitic persecutions at the East, the fast rising of Nazism on Germany, cause the arrival at Portugal of the first Ashkenazi Jews, who quickly integrate into the Portuguese society and into the Community. While both Jonah and Trevor recommend sites like Ancestry.com, the main resource they recommend are the Facebook groups dedicated to the subject of Portuguese and Spanish Sephardic ancestry. The first company Jonah worked with were incredibly impersonal and ended up firing him as a client, but at least it gave him lots of information and pointed him in the right direction. It says once youve submitted youll be given an access code. Applying for membership in Lisbon and Porto's official Jewish community costs $300-$560 and is a required step for a Jew to become a Portuguese citizen under the 2013 law. Do I have to speak Portuguese? Thankfully for Trevors aunt, family members who have the same family tree typically have a faster application process once one family member has already been accepted. c. Click on the town or city you wish to search. In such case, please provide proof of your genealogical relation despite the name change. We are very happy with the services. Since submitting his application, he has been able to trace the family tree back to Amsterdam and even back to Portugal. Mike Decker and have know him for many years. In fact, since a very large number of Spanish Jews migrated to Portugal when they were expelled from Spain, proving Spanish ancestry from families known to have lived in Portugal is also acceptable. I admire the Austrian citizenship team in Tel-Aviv branch! During the pandemic, my wife and I decided to move to Israel where I am originally from after living in the U.S. for over 20 years, but we had no idea how to go about securing visas before and after arriving in Israel. The Jewish community in Kobe, Japan compiled this list of European refugees and their relatives overseas, so that JDC can solicit aid from family members. The secret community was discovered in 1917 by a Polish Jewish mining engineer named Samuel Schwartz. Just found your page and it is fantastic! Proof of residence such as electricity bills. PUBLIC ATTENDANCE: Monday to Thursday from 10am to 1pm | 2pm to 5 pm. Somehow they managed to translate the law lingo into language we actually understand and their outstanding YouTube videos helped us to have a better grasp of what process we had to go through. But, despite that stumbling block, both Trevor and Jonah have developed strong ties to Portugal. It is so difficult to get straight answers from the Misrad Hapnim, but you guys are straight shooters. These institutions played a crucial role in the unity and organization of the Portuguese Judaism. This is the old Calada das Lages Cemetery, presently known as Afonso III . I just found this website! The steps take differing amounts of time. However, it costs a lot of money to maintain and expand our services. Only three of them will be mentioned: SOMEJ-NOPHLIM(Amparo dos Pobres): Created in 1865 by Simo Anahory with the purpose of helping the poor. The smaller Jewish communities of Lisbon and Porto are the only organizations that can approve applications, which must show ties to one of them. We can handle the bureaucratic side of the process and get your application submitted to the government before its too late. The Jewish community is small in Lisbon, and kosher food has been extremely difficult to get in the city, often impossible in the past. Thank you As a result of the war, locating work in Western Europe was nearly impossible. Close to 40 years after the Rebbe asked that the Tanya be printed in every city where a Yid lives, the 8,000th edition of Tanya came rolling off the press. Included are names, ages, birth information, profession, citizenship of refugees, as well as the names and addresses of relatives abroad. and must be sent through the We Transfer system. Both Trevor and Jonah initially turned to the internet for help. Emotional memory we expect the applicant to explain in short his motivation to apply for Portuguese nationality based on his Sephardic family and tradition roots. - March 1, 2023. As of February 2020, the Israeli Community of Lisbon requires the payment of a donation amounting 500 for the first certificate application and 250 for the applications of any other members of the same family. Incredibly knowledgeable, approachable, accessible, and evident across the board that they truly care about the people they are helping. Using them guaranteed honesty above all. Be patient, but also start early, says Trevor, whose aunt is also now applying. competent consulting, fast processing, reliable, warm & good team. Despite the expedited application, however, with research included the entire process still took around 17 months. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors or omissions or damages arising from its display or use. Bat Mitzvah Certificate 10-pack. The first step towards the official recognition of the Hebrew Community of Lisbon dates back to 1868, when a license is conceded by the Government, through a charter from D.Lus giving the Jews of Lisbon permission to install a cemetery for the burial of their coreligionists. The charge was that the Community granted certificates that affirmed the Sephardi heritage of anyone who sought Portuguese nationality and was willing to pay for it. He is completely trustworthy and high caliber in his work. The Jewish Community of Lisbon has made available: The burden of proof rests on the applicant, who must provide as much evidence as possible, of all kinds, showing direct or collateral progenyand the tradition of belonging to a Sephardic community of Portuguese origin. Portuguese Jews and New-Christians who managed to escape, settledin several Mediterranean countries like Morocco, France, Italy, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Egypt,Libya, Tunisia and Algeria, Northern Europe cities such as London, Nantes, Paris, Antwerp, Brussels, Rotterdam, Amsterdam,Glckstadt, Hamburg or Cologneand other countries like Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Antilles and theUS, among others. We achieved our goal and the fear of deportation has been lifted! Adi Berger was a wonderful advocate for me and I am deeply grateful for her help! I couldnt dealt with my situation without their professionalism and effectiveness. This needs to be from a community of Portuguese origin approved under Portuguese law. The advice Mr. Pex gave us was great, such as what to do, he gave useful links, and advice about which officials to contact. If you have one of these letters, but have not gone further than that, reach out to us now. Application Form Model B - example List of documents. Ultimately, your goal is to put together clear evidence that you have Sephardic Jewish heritage. Lisbon prosecutors and police searched Oporto's synagogue, the Jewish Museum and the houses of Jewish leaders. Spouses may apply later for citizenship through the Portuguese Central Registry Office, not under this law amendment or its provisions but as any foreign spouse of a Portuguese citizen. Her surname was Bair, which is a German-Jewish surname and she was 3/4 Ashkenazi, but he had to look a bit further before he found the Sephardic connection. After all, they were fleeing Portugal and Spain so its unlikely they would have wanted to maintain a tie to it. One of the country's most interesting remote villages is Belmonte, 3 hours by car from Lisbon, where in 1917, a Polish mining engineer named Samuel Schwarz discovered a community of Jews still living in secret for over 500 years. Visit to Shaar Tikva, the synagogue of Lisbon. The answer to all the above questions is no. Closed on Shabbat, Jewish Holidays and Portuguese Bank Holidays. The next stage, researching the family tree, will take considerably longer. Past events; Future event; January 01,01 09:00:00 It felt a lot more authentic, he says. Highly recommend. Documents that show the Ladino language being used by your ancestors. All files sent digitally must be accompanied by a SINGLE file with the necessary documents, in PDF, A4 format,
A Jewish community certificate: first step to a Portuguese citizenship Contact Us: 03-3724722 | 055-9781688 | office@lawoffice.org.il Home About About Us Meet the Team Media Coverage Payment Areas of Practice Real Estate Lawyer Family Law Inheritance Lawyer Traffic Lawyer Notary Services in Israel Amutot and non-profit organizations Arnona Sephardic Community Allliance. ATTENTION: Filling out this form does not replace or dispense with the proper sending of documents namely - the complete pdf with OFFICIAL FORM duly completed and signed, the means of proof, identification documents (see list of documentation) and the required family tree. You may obtain further and accurate information at the nearest Portuguese Consulate. I appreciate your candor and evident integrity. A simple copy of a valid passport (page containing personal data, picture and signature) expiring date larger than 6 months. The rabbi was able to look at his parents ketubah (Jewish marriage contract) and was able to confirm that it was Sephardic. Thus, many Sephardic Jews were forced into exile and compelled to leave Portugal from the late fifteenth and early sixteenthcentury onwards, including thosewho had converted to Catholicism the conversos, also known as New Christians, Anusim or Marranos. Its headquarters are on Avenida Alexandre Herculano, no.59 in Lisbon, where the synagogue Shaar Tikvah (Gates of Hope) is located. Consequently, it is hardly news that Jewish quarters existed in Lisbon. The Jewish Community of Prague (JCP) unites persons of Jewish religion, nationality or lineage who have a permanent residence in the sphere of JCPs territorial authority or are in other kind of relation to Prague and who are not members of any other religious denominations or non-Jewish religious communities. He helped us several times to understand what was likely and unlikely to occur as the next step. Helping us manage our expectations was extremely useful to us. A valid and specific power of attorney (when not presented by the applicant himself). The official recognition of the community and the construction of the synagogue brought a new impulse to the community life in Lisbon. Neither CIL (the Lisbon community) nor CIP (the Porto community) make their records public, so in a sense youre doing things blind but, unfortunately, thats just a part of the process. And while the Jewish Communities were delegated governmental authority for the purpose of recognizing applicants as descended from Jews, they are otherwise unconnected to the government. These include the community of Porto or Lisbon. Once submitted, youll be given an access code so you can check the status of your application and then you wait. Each member of the family, including the children, should file the application separately although, for the purpose of the certification issued by our community (step 1 above), having already checked the documentation of a member of the same family does make it easier to check the documentation.