About this talk

Jewish presence in the Iberian Peninsula dates back to the early centuries of the Common Era and continued until the end of the 15th century, though this timeline varies by region and even by city. In Catalonia—whose capital is Barcelona—a Jewish community existed from the mid-9th to the late 14th century. Over the following 400–500 years, most medieval buildings in Spain were either rebuilt or constructed over.

What traces of this Jewish presence remain in the urban landscape, in religious art, and in archival records? What artifacts have survived, and where are they preserved?

The early 20th century marks the beginning of a second chapter of Jewish life—one that we hope will endure. Focusing on Barcelona, this talk explores the uneven development of its Jewish community, now the second largest in Spain, with approximately 5,000 members.

Finally, how do we connect with this past? What are our key sites of memory today? Using the ancient Jewish cemetery as a case study, we examine the challenges of heritage management—an area where religious and scientific perspectives do not always align.

About Dominique

Born in New York and raised in Buenos Aires, Dominique Tomasov Blinder is the grandchild of Jews from Belarus and Ukraine. She earned her degree in Architecture from the University of Buenos Aires and is also professionally registered in New York and Barcelona. A founding member of the first egalitarian synagogue in Spain, she is responsible for its Chevra Kadisha. She specializes in Jewish heritage as an independent researcher, educator, and activist.

She co-founded the Center of Studies Zakhor, established to protect the ancient Jewish cemetery in Barcelona. Thanks to the Center's efforts, the site received official designation as a historical landmark. Her work also includes research to define the cemetery's boundaries (supported by a grant from the Rothschild Foundation) and the publication of the book Funerary Tradition in Judaism.

Since 1992, Dominique has been actively involved in Jewish heritage, culture, and community life. Combining history, current affairs, personal insight, and lived experience, she engages both local and international audiences on questions of Jewish identity, culture, and history. She is currently focused on initiatives to transform the ancient Jewish cemetery into a meaningful and recognized site of memory.