Hidden Identities: The Story of Crypto-Jews and Forced Converts

Events

According to the call, the remore course “explores a pivotal turning point in Iberian Jewish history, beginning with the violent attacks of 1391 that devastated Jewish communities and forced mass conversions to Christianity. These converts, known as Conversos or anusim—lived between identities, often maintaining Jewish practices in secret. Participants will examine the social, religious, and political consequences of these events, including the expulsions of 1492 and 1497 and the rise of the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisitions. Finally, the course offers insight into the resilience of hidden Jewish communities and the lasting impact of persecution, identity, and survival in early modern Spain and Portugal.”

Date: Thursdays, 15 October to 12 November.

Time 7 to 8:30 PM ET  (**sessions are being recorded and can be sent to participants after the session ends).

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Andreas Lehnertz
Andreas Lehnertz
As Juniorprofessor of medieval history with a specialization in Jewish history at the University of Trier, Andreas Lehnertz studies the… Read more
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OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
Andreas Lehnertz (October 2, 2026). Hidden Identities: The Story of Crypto-Jews and Forced Converts. medievalJewishStudiesNow! Retrieved October 12, 2026 from https://doi.org/10.58079/16w4u

About Andreas Lehnertz

As Juniorprofessor of medieval history with a specialization in Jewish history at the University of Trier, Andreas Lehnertz studies the social, cultural, and religious history of Europe. His academic pursuits focus on the nuanced dynamics of everyday Christian-Jewish relations, the study of marginal Hebrew and Yiddish deeds, the study of Jewish and general sealing practices, and the in-depth study of Jewish craftspeople. He wrote a book on "Jewish Seals in the Medieval German Empire: The Authentication and Self-Representation of Jewish Men and Women". His expertise has been further honed through his roles as a postdoctoral fellow in the ERC project "Beyond the Elite - Jewish Daily Life in Medieval Europe" at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and as a member of the Martin Buber Society in the Humanities and Social Sciences, also at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Currently he writes a book about "Jewish Craftspeople in Medieval Germany". Through his research and publications, he aims to make a meaningful contribution to the academic discourse surrounding medieval history and to provide valuable insights into the rich tapestry of European history during this pivotal period.