The small Jewish community in Madrid–about 2,000 in a population of over 1.5 million–has rarely been a source of news. This week, the Jews in the Spanish capital let it be known that they were alive and kicking–each other. For years the community has been trying to get itself officially recognized by the Spanish authorities. Its chances were seriously jeopardized, however, by a serious internal dispute which threatens to split the community into two bodies, one Sephardic (Oriental) and the other Ashkenazic (European Jews).
The Sephardim, who number 1,500 against 500 Ashkenazic Jews, hold 75 percent of the seats in the Jewish Community Council. The Ashkenazim, lead by former community president Max Mazin, want the by-laws changed to allow the election of a president by the council alone instead of by the entire community as is the current practice.
The issue led to a bitter confrontation at this week’s Community Council meeting, Sam Ben Sadon-Laredo, the Sephardic incumbent, refused Mazin official status at the meeting on grounds that he was more than three months behind in his dues. In the ensuing shouting, the 60-man Ashkenazic contingent walked out. Madrid’s rabbi, Benito Garzon, is attempting to get the two sides to reach a compromise, so far without success.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
