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HISTORY OF THE JEWS IN MEXICO by Dena Falken

    

 

HISTORY OF THE JEWS IN MEXICO by Dena Falken

           Through out my travels in Mexico, it has always been quite fascinating to learn and see the rich culture in this country.

When walking in downtown Polanco, a stunning area of Mexico City, one is captivated by the amount of culture, restaurants of every ethnic persuasion. A beautiful building is there as well,,,the Jewish Synagogue.

I have always been interested in the Jewish contribution to the Culture in Mexico and how the Jews arrived here. While Mexico has fabulous Jewish restaurants, museums and art, I thought I would explore how the Jewish culture arrived and what the history was.

I learned the following….

Jews first arrived in Mexico in the 16th century from Spain and Portugal. This arrival took place in the midst of the Spanish Inquisition. The Jews at this times were “ conversos”. These are Jews who had been forcibly converted to Christanity, but secretly practiced Judaism.

However, the Inquisition also traveled to the New World and anyone even suspected of practicing Judaism was burned at the stake. It was not until the Inquisition was abolished in 1813 that Jews could practice their culture and faith.

 The Jewish History In Mexico And Why They Immigrated To Mexico

           Jews and Conversos were part of the conquest and colonization of Mexico and were important actors in transatlantic and transpacific trade networks, as well as in the development of internal trade. The Conversos succeeded Hernán Cortés in 1519. They were members of Jewish families who forcibly converted to Christianity to avoid expulsion from Spain after the reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula. The reconquest was followed by the Spanish Inquisition, which made the Converses one of its targets and accused them of returning to Jewish practice.

           During this time, there were two types of Converts: crypto-Jews and Jews who had fully converted to Catholicism. Jews who converted were used to register crypto-Jews in the Catholic Church and were later rewarded with high positions in the Catholic Church. In addition, the Catholic Church at that time was responsible for social assistance and was the most powerful entity. Converso's migration to the new Spanish colony began in 1530, after most of the violence since the conquest of the Aztec Empire had subsided and the Spanish Inquisition continued. For decades, families were able to live in peace, integrating into the Mexican elite, with some becoming prominent Catholic clerics and some returning to Jewish practice.

An interesting fact is brought out by David Nathan. He suggested that the first coins minted by the Spanish conquerors in the Western Hemisphere in Mexico City contained the Hebrew letter aleph (), indicating evidence of Jewish presence or influence in Mexico in 1536. He noted that almost all of the matrices were prepared during the first Aleph appraiser instead of the powerful symbol of the Christian cross, which is almost common on medieval Spanish and Mexican coins, Nathan still considers the possible connection of a Jewish family with the famous Mexican coin workers.

NOT AN EASY ROAD…

 

           The persecution of the Jews came with the Conquistadors to New Spain. Bernal Diaz del Castillo in his writings described several executions of soldiers during the conquest of Mexico because they were accused of being Jews, including Hernando Alonza, who built the boats that Cortés used to attack Tenochtitlan.

After Mexico became independent, it abolished the Inquisition, but the Catholic faith was officially declared. The remaining crypto-Jews did not openly admit it, but began to observe various Jewish rituals, and between 1825 and 1860 several European Jews arrived from Germany and Eastern Europe. Immigrants could not become Mexican citizens, but their main problems living in Mexico were economic, not social or religious.

            However, the Mexican Inquisition was not fully established until 1571, when it became a threat to Converso and the Jewish communities with the first purges between 1585 and 1601. In 1606, Mexico received orders from the King of Spain to release the Convers in inquisitorial prisons. This easing of the Inquisition in Mexico, which was never more brutal than in Spain, made it more visible in the first half of the 17th century. The new Conversos settled in Mexico City, Acapulco, Veracruz and Campeche because they offered more business opportunities.

           However, some moved to more remote areas such as Zacatecas but still offered more opportunities than places further north. Between 1642 and 1649 the Second Inquisition persecuted the Conversos. Attention then shifted to topics such as profanity and moral transgressions. During the colonial period, however, practicing Jews in Spain and elsewhere could not enter Spanish colonial territory.

           An important episode during the colonial period was the establishment of the new kingdom of León. In 1567 the Carvajal family arrived in New Spain under the leadership of the noble Luis de Carvajal. With the exception of himself and his relatives, the family was crypto-Jewish.[10] In 1579, Carvajal acquired land in present-day northeastern Mexico, north of what was then considered New Spain.

           The area received both Convers and practical Jews, and about 75% of the early settlers were secretly Jewish. Some theories hold that Monterrey developed as a commercial center despite its colonial distance due to crypto-Jewish influence. However, Luís de Carvajal and members of his family were persecuted in 1589 for practicing Judaism. Mariane Carvajal's auto-da-fé became part of Mexican art and literature. In 1641 the colony grew and some settlers later moved on to establish new settlements in Coahuila, Texas and Novo Santander.

           The greatest number of criminal prosecutions by the Mexican Inquisition occurred after the collapse of the Iberian Union in 1640, when Spain and Portugal were ruled by the same monarch. Portuguese traders entered Spain and America more easily, creating a complex community of crypto-Jews connected to transatlantic and transpacific trading networks. Evidence from individual cases prosecuted by the Mexican Inquisition shows that most crypto-Jews were born in Mexico or their parents in Portugal, mainly from the Portuguese capital Lisbon or Castelo Branca.

                      After Mexico became independent, it abolished the Inquisition, but the Catholic faith was officially declared. The remaining crypto-Jews did not openly admit it, but began to observe various Jewish rituals, and between 1825 and 1860 several European Jews arrived from Germany and Eastern Europe. Immigrants could not become Mexican citizens, but their main problems living in Mexico were economic, not social or religious.

           In 1861, the group rented a hall to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the first recorded instance of public Jewish worship.

Things changed and eased with Emperor Maximilian I.

 In 1865, Emperor Maximilian I issued a decree of religious toleration, bringing representatives of Jewish organizations in Europe and the United States to Mexico to explore immigration possibilities. From 1864 to 1867, Maximilian invited some European Jews from France, Belgium and Austria-Hungary to settle in Mexico. In 1867, only about twenty Jewish families lived in Mexico and a dozen more elsewhere.

More migration to Mexico began after the inquisition. French and British Jews in the late 1800s and Eastern European Jews began to come to Mexico in the 1920s. A large group of Syrian, Turkish and Greek Jews also arrived around the turn of the century. Mexicos first synagogue was erected in 1885 to accommodate the rising population.

 When the Roman Catholic Church's monopoly in Mexico was replaced by religious tolerance during the liberal reform of the 19th century, Jews were able to openly emigrate to Mexico. They came from Europe and later from the crumbling Ottoman Empire, including Syria, until the first half of the 20th century.

Mexico City has always been the center of Mexicos Jewry with a majority of Mexican Jews living there. Today, besides Mexico City, Jews can be found in Guadalajara, Cancun, Monterrey and Tiajuana.

           Today, most Jews in Mexico are mainly Yiddish-speaking Ashkenazi and Spanish-Jewish-speaking Sephardim. It is an island community with its own religious, social and cultural institutions, mainly in Guadalajara and Mexico City. However, since the 1980s, efforts have been made to identify descendants of colonial-era Conversos in Mexico and the southwestern United States in general, with a view to a return to Judaism.

Jews in Mexico are now secure in their political and religious rights. A wonderful part of Mexico and a rich culture that only adds to the magic of Mexico.

 

What is a non disclosure Agreement - Legal-Ease International

 

 

 

 

 

 A non-disclosure agreement (NDA), also known is also known as a confidential, proprietary information agreement (PIA), secrecy agreement (SA), or non-disparagement agreement, is a legal contract or part of a contract between at least two parties that outlines confidential material, knowledge, or information that the parties wish to share with one another for certain purposes, but wish to restrict access to.

 

 ¿Qué es un acuerdo de no divulgación (NDA), también conocido como acuerdo confidencial de información de propiedad exclusiva (PIA), acuerdo de secreto (SA) o acuerdo de no menosprecio, es un contrato legal o parte de un contrato entre al menos al menos dos partes que describen material, conocimiento o información confidencial que las partes desean compartir entre sí para ciertos fines, pero cuyo acceso desean restringir.

 

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Women in Business by Dena Falken

 

Just a dream...but who knows

 

 

 

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

by Dena Falken

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  More and more women think that self-employment is an attractive career option and have decided to start their own business. Accessing support tailored to your needs, talking to other businesswomen at different stages of the business journey, learning from role models, and working with a mentor can help you develop your business idea and identify strategies for future growth. Women into Business events are organized by various local Business Gateway offices. They give you the opportunity to share ideas with other local entrepreneurs and improve your business skills.

Traditionally, women haven't worked as well in the workplace as men, with most women earning just three-quarters of what their male counterparts earn — but that's only half the story. Over the past 20 years, more women have decided to start their own businesses than ever before, outpacing men and doing well. The reality is that women can and should have a big presence in the business world.

·      Why More Women In Business Are Better

The great advantage that women bring to business, and especially to management, is that they have a different life and work experiences than men and, therefore, different perspectives. This leads to different opinions, different preferences and different strategies. This diversity, in turn, makes decision-making more dimensional and therefore more complex. Employment with at least one member generally takes longer to get the green light than male-only committees. This is because women are more at risk and are more strategic than men. While this trend can lead to fewer and/or fewer purchases, it also allows for more prudent and informed decisions.

·      Times Change - Somehow

The trend for women in business is growing. It is led by women who are determined to "give away" and get into big business, millennial who want to define their own careers, and many more entrepreneurs. Mentoring programs are helping to attract women more than ever. At the same time, women are getting together and creating their own networks, conferences and meetings - but they still have work to do. Women who want to start a business or expand an existing business have fewer financing options and generally earn less than men, even if they have the same degree and education.

Women must be taken seriously in business, whether they are managers or entrepreneurs. They can bring different perspectives to the celebrity table and are often more strategic. This trend can lead to greater risk aversion in acquisitions, but it also leads to greater valuation success in the early stages, when more calculated moves have the greatest impact. Achieving equality in the workplace will take time, but women in the workplace are a trend that can and must grow.

·      Women in Business - A Game About Wonder Woman

"The only difference between a man and a woman climbing the ladder of success is that a woman is expected to put it in her closet when she's done," said American artist Barbara Dale. So it's surprising that a busy woman (and we mean someone who has a job outside the home) is actually a Wonder Woman! Isn't it remarkable that women control over nine million businesses, which contribute nearly $4 trillion to the economy? You have to ask yourself, what the hell is he like? From the beginning, women in business were very polite. Read all about business leadership and you'll find that the same group of men are in the cast. "Women" as thrifty creatures! Certainly not! Even so, 90% of Americans will need to support themselves financially at some point in their lives.

More than half of the jobs created since 1992 can be attributed to women entrepreneurs who own the companies that employ them. According to a study from some time ago, the glass ceiling, which undoubtedly exists in the corporate world, is not the only reason why more and more women are doing business. The boredom that comes with paid work, along with the work environment that often stifles creativity, has a lot to do with it. The chairwoman of the organization, which deals with the problems women face at work, said that entrepreneurship is not something that women do to "feel good"; their reasons are based on constant reality. And that's why they are as successful as men. Programs such as Women's "Brain" - Storming On The Playground (TM) offer women entrepreneurs a platform to share their motivations and experiences with like-minded people.

However, few would deny that there are fundamental differences between men and women at work. Men are good at creating and following a hierarchy from top to bottom and letting people know who the boss is. Women, on the other hand, form horizontal networks and believe in promoting relationships. Men will focus on business goals, or they will exclude everything else, and they will resort to logical thinking when making decisions. Women in business use a variety of techniques and attach more importance to a process or means than to goals. While men defend individual rights and privileges, women do so less often and prefer to follow the group's views. However, men are very good at mentoring and passing on their knowledge to younger or less experienced people, but it is rare for women at work to mentor other people, especially other women.

This, of course, can be explained in part by the fact that women are more concerned with satisfying their affiliate needs than satisfying their desire for power or money. It is no surprise that they highlight more benefits such as flexible working hours, childcare and pensions. And for those who wonder how women in business can be good "entrepreneurs," we want to present a surprising fact: women's-owned companies have outpaced overall business growth more than twice as fast. If there are still skeptics, we have to quote Barbara Dale once again. "I'm a worker. I run the house. I have a job. I'm crazy."

 

·      Key Challenges Women Face In Business

More and more women are starting a business, but they are still facing the challenges of doing business. The number of businesswomen is increasing. Despite the positive results, women are struggling to survive in the business environment because of the challenges they face.

Key challenges women face in business

·      Limited Financing

Not all entrepreneurs are lucky to have an investor or financier for their business. Some have to start their own business, rely on credit cards or raise capital themselves. Women's companies are among the most important companies without financial support. It is also common for women to have no loans due to cultural and gender bias - many institutions tend to fund male-owned businesses.

·      Balancing Responsibilities

Many women are not just businesswomen or professionals - they have families, husbands and other responsibilities. Demands for personal and professional commitments can put pressure on a woman to leave society or her family. The family expects her to be a mother and wife, while society asks her to be a leader and show devotion. Those who lack social support find it more difficult because they have to bear the whole burden themselves. Some women may balance these two spheres of their lives, while others are overwhelmed.

·      Fear of Failure

Making or doing business is risky and involves unforeseen circumstances. Never be afraid to fail; you will never try if you are afraid of failing. Nobody enters the business with a guarantee of success. Fear of the known and the unknown is a big problem for women. They fear failure, especially if those around them are skeptical about their business abilities. This fear is poisonous and dangerous because women can end up in a place of fear instead of self-confidence. As a result, they will not succeed in business, even if they do.

·      Insufficient Support System

What would women achieve if they had the perfect support system? Problems or failures in the business can be due to the lack of an adequate support system. There is no human island in the business world. Women often have greater difficulties in getting support, ranging from the lack of relevant connections to the need for a financial approach or emotional support. They also need mentors and sponsors to guide them on this new path. The support system is often expensive and forces women to delay starting a business.

·      Gender Inequality

What do you need to know about gender inequality? Laws, cultures, religions and policies are built on a patriarchal foundation. Women have to travel through men's world, faced with stigma and discrimination. While laws and policies have tried to create a favorable business environment for all, no real changes have yet been made. Gender investing, which refers to strategies that address gender differences and/or analyze gender issues to shed light on investment decisions, is growing in popularity.

·      Limited Knowledge

Women's empowerment is just the beginning of a long road to business success. Life is a daily learning process that produces new information every day. Unfortunately, women's access to this information and new knowledge is limited. While this may be due to a competitive environment, women take additional steps and seek relevant and practical information.

·      Adverse Business Environment

Problems faced by women include less established business networks and social and traditional constraints that limit women's participation in business. Religion prevents women from having a job. In some countries, women may be forced to have a male partner who negotiates, negotiates and is the face of human trafficking. Despite these challenges, the business world is gradually embracing the skills and contributions of women.

·      Shyness

Women who try to succeed are often embarrassed to brag about their achievements. They fear being labeled proud. Humility is not shyness or embarrassment. Women need to defend their success and make it known to those around them.

"Believe in yourself and maintain your success." - Sheryl Sandberg

Owning your success as a woman motivates you to work harder and accomplish more in your business. This inspires the people around you. Sheryl Sandberg inspired women to go out and sit in corporate conference rooms. Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama are among those who have motivated other women to work towards their entrepreneurial dream. Trust is an essential part of prosperity and growth. When one woman leads, others follow.

 

Conclusion

Looking at the above challenges, women entrepreneurship is certainly a sturdy road to be travelled by women where they have to prove themselves. With many obstacles along the way, today's woman is brave enough to stand out from the crowd and be an example to others. Her vintage image of woman as holy domestic cow is lifted up. It is up to us, citizens of the country, to respect and adore it in a way that helps business.

Dena Falken

Are translators still in demand - by Dena Falken

 

   Are translators still in demand?

With technology, translations can also be done on computer. Instead, as the world’s economy has become more globally focused, demand for human translation has remained strong.

And while tools like Google Translate help immensely to get the job done, they still cannot replace human translators. Indeed, many experts predicted that by now human translation would be obsolete. They can not compete with technical translations where the fundamentals of that subject must be understood. A computer can not possibly do that. 

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