In 1654, 23 Jews escaping the newly instituted Portuguese Inquisition in Brazil, landed in New Amsterdam (New York City) and were almost immediately expelled by Peter Stuyvesant.  They persevered and there has been a Jewish and notably a Sephardic presence in this country for over 370 years, or 120 before the founding of the United States.

Join us on a captivating walking tour that unveils the rich and often untold history of the Sephardic Jewish community in New York City.  Some of the sites visited will include colonial era cemeteries, famous homes and religious sites – all with stories of history, heritage and culture.

The walking tour concludes with a visit to the Center for Jewish History on East 16th Street, where guests will receive an exclusive, behind-the-science tour of treasures from the American Sephardi Federation, offering a fascinating glimpse into the rich cultural legacy of the Sephardic Jews in America.

This tour is being presented as part of Festival Sefarad (https://www.festivalsefarad.com), a series of evens in June 2026 made possible by the UJA-Federation of New York and the Ike, Molly and Steven Elias Foundation.

Co-Presenter: American Sephardi Federation.