About this talk

Brazil is one of the countries that received the largest numbers of Jewish immigrants during the 20th century, but Jewish history in Brazil began long before, with Sephardic Jews arriving under Portuguese colonial rule, often facing persecution due to the Inquisition, and later under Dutch colonial rule, which provided greater religious freedom.

Today, Brazil's Jewish community is one of the largest in Latin America, with a presence in various regions, each with distinct histories. The most prominent centers are São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, but there are also significant communities in Recife, Porto Alegre, and Manaus.

In this talk, we will introduce you to the Jewish history of Brazil from colonial times to the present. Explore the most notable Jewish landmarks of Brazil's main cities.

This talk is presented together with the team of Judaic Tourism, a project that aims to showcase all the Jewish heritage of Latin America.

About Felipe

Felipe Lichand is a historian, researcher, and Jewish heritage tour guide based in Brazil. Driven by a passion for preserving regional memory, he is the founder of Zahav Tours, where he designs curated historical travel experiences across South American Jewish landmarks. In addition to his entrepreneurial work, Felipe is an active leader in the São Paulo Jewish community, collaborating closely with the board of directors of the Hashomer Hatzair youth movement to foster identity and education for the next generation.