Apparently, history’s hot new trend is the study of the crypto-Jews, Spanish Jews forced to convert under the Inquisition in the 15th century who practiced secretly even after immigrating to Mexico and other Latin countries. Word on the street that Marcia Fine‘s new novel centers around this group and their bravery as they kept the faith.
The world will soon know even more about the Jewish-Latin experience after Arizona State University’s Jewish Studies Program sent a delegation to Mexico City and Guadalajara this month, part of ASU’s effort to “build links with Mexican colleges and make ASU a center for the study of Latin America’s Jews.”
“We think this can be a specialty for us,” said Jack Kugelmass, director of the Jewish studies program. “The university’s already very strong in Latin American studies, and so this is a perfect niche.”
Growing up in Arizona means we’re already used to our Jewishness with a side of jalepe?os, but we definitely dig that it’s going to be full-blown college major.

*Chili pepper mezuzzah available from 2jewishcowgirls.com.