Ladino Voices: Bridging Generations – Where Youth Meets Heritage

Ladino Voices: Bridging Generations – Where Youth Meets Heritage

On October 16, 2025, within the framework of the Sephardic Shabbaton organized by the Greek Jewish Youth Organization (ENE), Angela María Arbelaez-Frezis, art historian and curator, presented "Ladino Voices: Bridging Generations – Where Youth Meets Heritage" at the historic Etz Hayyim Synagogue in Athens.

Arbelaez's immersive presentation combined a video wall and sound installation, featuring the voices and testimonies of Yvonne Razon Camhi Z"L, Fermoza Cohen Z"L, Veta Vida Mioni (Cohen), Dr. Rena Molho, and Victor Pesso Pardo.

The experience was enriched by rare objects from the AMAA Archives Collection, including a matchmaking book from Salonika, a tea cup, photographs of Gestapo officers in occupied Thessaloniki, and a seal from a prewar Greek-Jewish organization.

The presentation received heartfelt feedback from participants, who were deeply moved by the reawakening of the synagogue walls through the voices of the past — voices that continue to build bridges between generations.

Dr. Arbelaez expressed her appreciation to Solon Kampelis, President of ENE, and the entire organizing team for their warm invitation and outstanding initiative in celebrating Sephardic and Greek-Jewish heritage.

The Shabbaton program included a lecture by Dr. Rena Molho, "Judeo-Spanish: A Mediterranean Language in Everyday Salonika"; a synagogue tour led by Rabbi Gabriel Negrin; and a musical evening featuring Sakis Negrin and Soly Iohana — all fostering dialogue between generations and cultures.

📸 Photos from the event will be published soon.