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A Long Journey: The Hidden Jews Of The Southwest

By Jennifer Robinson / Web Producer
Published January 6, 2021 at 1:09 PM PST
Herreras and Rabbi Jordi Gendra.
Courtesy of Cinewest Productions
Herreras and Rabbi Jordi Gendra. “A Long Journey: The Hidden Jews Of The Southwest” brings to life stories of individuals whose secret was their hidden Jewish roots while living an outwardly Catholic life.

Encore Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021 at 10 p.m. on KPBS TV / On Demand

is a story of self-awareness, and a celebration of the richness and diversity of Jewish and Latino cultures today. This one-hour documentary brings to life the fascinating stories of individuals whose secret was their hidden Jewish roots while living an outwardly Catholic life.

Herreras family lighting Shabbat candles. “A Long Journey: The Hidden Jews Of The Southwest” brings to life stories of individuals whose secret was their hidden Jewish roots while living an outwardly Catholic life.
Courtesy of Cinewest Productions
Herreras family lighting Shabbat candles. “A Long Journey: The Hidden Jews Of The Southwest” brings to life stories of individuals whose secret was their hidden Jewish roots while living an outwardly Catholic life.

Learn about stories of forced expulsion, with journeys to Mexico, Southern Texas and Northern New Mexico; the reawakening of long-obscured Spanish-Jewish traditions, the resilience of faith and culture, and the eventual triumph of acceptance and respect over tyranny and intolerance.

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Blanca Carrasco, from El Paso, Texas, conducted her family research resulting in a genealogical book that demonstrated that her biological father, Israel Garza Salinas, was a direct descendant of pioneering Converso families that helped settle the city of Monterrey, Mexico. She’s moved by deep emotion when she reflects on the suffering and torture endured by her family at the hands of the Spanish Inquisition. 
Courtesy of Cinewest Productions
Blanca Carrasco, from El Paso, Texas, conducted her family research resulting in a genealogical book that demonstrated that her biological father, Israel Garza Salinas, was a direct descendant of pioneering Converso families that helped settle the city of Monterrey, Mexico. She’s moved by deep emotion when she reflects on the suffering and torture endured by her family at the hands of the Spanish Inquisition. 

These unique stories are set against magnificent natural and cultural landscapes, accompanied by an original score by acclaimed composer Mark Adler.

Charlie Carrillo is a nationally recognized devotional artist (Santero) specializing in carved Catholic Saints and painted wooden retablos and based in Santa Fe, N.M. While working on his PhD in Anthropology he discovered his Jewish roots and embarked on a journey of self-discovery that led to the incorporation of Jewish themes and iconography in his creative work, which he demonstrates in his studio at the family home in Abiquiu, N.M. His spirituality is expressed as a practicing Catholic, while incorporating ancient Jewish themes in his art work.
Courtesy of Cinewest Productions
Charlie Carrillo is a nationally recognized devotional artist (Santero) specializing in carved Catholic Saints and painted wooden retablos and based in Santa Fe, N.M. While working on his PhD in Anthropology he discovered his Jewish roots and embarked on a journey of self-discovery that led to the incorporation of Jewish themes and iconography in his creative work, which he demonstrates in his studio at the family home in Abiquiu, N.M. His spirituality is expressed as a practicing Catholic, while incorporating ancient Jewish themes in his art work.

"'A Long Journey' is a story about self-awareness and reaffirmation, and a celebration of the richness and diversity of Jewish and Latino cultures in the American Southwest that I believe all audiences will find engaging,” said director Isaac Artenstein. “The Western frontier, is after all, one of the most influential myths in American culture.” 

Other Cinewest films include: "To the Ends of the Earth," "Challah Rising," "Tijuana Jews" and "Journeys of Harry Crosby"

Credits:

A Cinewest - KNME/NMPBS co-production. Directed by award-winning director Isaac Artenstein. Produced by Paula Amar Schwartz. Executive Producers Melvin J. Schwartz and Franz Joaquim. Co-Produced by Judith Artenstein. Cinematography Sergio Ulloa. Edited and Written by Keith Shapiro.

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Jennifer Robinson
Jen is a web producer at KPBS, responsible for program promotion, online membership-related activities, and is the editor of the KPBS community calendar. Jen has worked at KPBS since 2000. She is originally from Las Vegas and attended UNLV.
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