Branching Out from Sepharad by Sarina Roffé

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With the Foreword written by Dr. Walter Zenner A’H, Branching Out From Sepharad outlines the history of Jews in Spain, the 1492 Expulsion, the history of Jews in Syria, and follows them to the Americas. The book is footnoted and can be used as a source for research. Roffé traces the Kassin rabbinic dynasty from 12th Century France to Spain to Aleppo to Jerusalem to the Americas.

Roffé uses DNA testing to dispute claims of an Irish family that they are descendants of Senor Shelomo Kassin, the first known member of the Kassin family tree. She indisputably proves that the Kassins and many other families in the Syrian Jewish community today had Converso ancestors. Many Jews became Conversos, converting to Catholicism, in order to remain in Spain after 1492, when Jews were expelled by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Many Spanish families who arrived in Aleppo, had been Conversos in order to dissolve their businesses in Spain before leaving. They kept their Judaism secret and returned to open Judaism when they left.

Branching Out From Sepharad has a complete biography of Rabbi Jacob S. Kassin A’H, Chief Rabbi of the Brooklyn community for more than half a century, and includes many documents outlining his life work and accomplishments. Kassin’s life is divided into three areas – his early time in Jerusalem, his rabbinic accomplishments, and his family life. Genealogies are also provided along with primary source documents.

The book includes over 100 photos and as many documents and letters. In addition, chapters include research on the term Sephardic Jew, Genealogy in the Torah, and Sephardic Naming Practices. In the chapter on Brooklyn’s Syrian Jewish Community, Roffé writes the 100-year history of the Brooklyn community, discussing the sociological impact of careers, philanthropy, traditions, and educational beliefs as they changed over a century.