Crypto-Jewish Awakening

You may have noticed certain family practices that don't seem to fit.  It may seem that a secret is being protected.  Your may notice that your surname is spelled differently than similar names.  There can be telltale signs that your family may be Bnai Anusim, those that are descended from crypto-Jews.

Crypto-Jews practiced their religion in hiding after being forcibly converted to Catholicism during the Spanish Inquisition.  Without the benefit of Jewish texts or Rabbis, crypto-Jews developed their own religious poems and prayers.  During trials in Mexico City in the 16th century, those accused of Judaizing were made to recite and sing them.  The Inquisitors transcribed the poems as part of their testimony.  Thus, we have a record of these sacred works.  Even after the end of the Inquisition, many crypto-Jews remained in hiding, maintaining their own religious practices, which we can explore today.